Dark Horizons lists Bel-Ami as a Notable Film for 2011
Garth Franklin from Dark Horizons has released a list of films he thinks we need to look out for in 2011 and this smart man has included Bel-Ami on that list.  It’s an interesting article and gives us a little more insight into the film.  It also tells us that it’s not hitting the UK until August 2011 which means maybe my prediction about Cannes isn’t that far off.  I mean Inglorious Bastards was shown there just before it’s official release in 2009 … right and that ended up with Oscar nominations and wins.  Hmmm maybe just maybe they want to continue the bastard theme – you know considering Rob plays a “manwhoring ruthless bastard” *evilgrin*.
“Bel Ami
Opens: 2011
Cast: Uma Thurman, Robert Pattinson, Christina Ricci, Kristin Scott Thomas
Director: Declan Donnellan, Nick Ormerod
Summary: In Belle Epoque-era Paris, a former French soldier from the lower class returns from Algeria and becomes a journalist. Through a series of affairs with well-connected women, he uses his looks and smarts to make his way up the social ladder.
Analysis: Though sharing the same name as Europe’s most prestigious hardcore gay porn studio (Maria: Â yeah don’t we know that thanks to Google), a fact that made many a headline writer’s day when “Twilight” hunk Robert Pattinson was cast, the film is actually an adaptation of acclaimed French author Guy de Maupassant’s second novel in 1885. The story is familiar, a young man basically screws over and just plain screws his way into high society, yet it’s also considered one of the great books of its time and remains a perennial favourite in certain countries.
A lot of the novel’s appeal however is de Maupassant’s legendarily efficient and involving prose, a writing style that inspired countless others from W. Somerset Maugham to Friedrich Nietzsche, and one that will be very difficult to translate to the screen. It’s also very much a classic French tale, so an English adaptation will likely get a hostile reception in western Europe even if it’s good – if it’s sub-par then god help anyone trying to do promotion for it over there.
Adapted by newbie scribe Rachel Bennette and directed by a pair of stage production veterans making their feature debut, the London and Budapest-shot period piece will have lots of raunchy appeal that “Twilight” moms might be nervous about their daughters seeing (Maria: Â I’m hoping it’s rated R so there will be no screamers at cinema – cue “warning about what’s to follow). One major scene is an orgy sequence with Pattinson’s character which one source tells the press will be “tastefully done”. That scene, shot at Kent’s Crossness Pumping Station, will be drenched in candlelight and lace to disguise the fact the station is living up to its name in a different way than it was designed for (Maria: Â I’m guessing they mean it’s the brothel scene – I need to go and reread I don’t recall an orgy in the book – not that I’m complaining).
More exciting is the cast with the brilliant Thomas, Thurman and Ricci ably supporting Pattinson who seems a better fit for this kind of material than some of his other projects. {Maria: Â my emphasis. Â Garth Franklin you have just endeared yourself to hardcore Rob supporters with that comment – because don’t we know it). He’s also joined by some under appreciated great British male talent like Philip Glenister (“Life on Mars,” “Ashes to Ashes”), James Lance (“Absolute Power,” “No Heroics”) and Colm Meaney (“Star Trek: DS9,” “The Commitments”). Set photos show off some exquisite looking costume design, but no footage is yet out and a release date isn’t locked. At last report it’ll be hitting the UK in August which means a likely late Summer/early Fall release in the States.”
If you want to read the other films that are suggested then click on the link. Â Thanks to our friends and elite affie Spunk Ransom for the tip.
20 comments on “Dark Horizons lists Bel-Ami as a Notable Film for 2011”
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Carmel
Wow! I like the way this man thinks. This is a journalist with knowledge of his subject. With that he has articulated an intelligent review. I hate to say it, but that all is rather unusual. I’m back to being excited rather than fearful for BA. Thank you Garth.
@ Maria – I know I would have remembered an orgy scene, but it in keeping with Georges’ character. Maybe they thought we would need more convincing that Rob is indeed a scoundrel right from the beginning. Bring on the R rating ïŠ
M.R.B. Too much. bahaha
Maria
ITA @Carmel and I’m hoping this movie puts all future Twilight references to rest. Rob’s so smart in his film choices.
Jenny
OMG – On my last trip to the UK we visited the Crossness Pumping Room. It’ll be so exciting to see that scene (for more than one reason!!!).
Martha M
What a smart man this Garth, he clearly knows talent when he sees it. Oh and thank you girls for the pictures with the sunnies yesterday. It’s been raining cats and dogs here for the past 3 days and I think it’ll be raining almost all week, so seeing Robert in sunnies made my day more brighter, so thanks again girls for that ray of sunshine you brought to me. All the pictures are gorgeous I can’t just pick one.
Cindy
ITA@ Carmel and Maria. Finally a journo who isnt lazy!. And as for that other comment well I give you *evilgrin* Miss Maria!! pmsl.
Sare
*gulp* All i see is orgy & rob.
*walks to naughty corner*
Maria
LOL @Sare all I can say is that “that” was clearly too much for my laptop since 10 mins after I posted the article it had a serious error and I’m not kidding. Hopefully it is currently being repaired by my IT guru otherwise I’m going to be without it for ages and I haven’t backed it up for about 3 weeks. I feel like i’ve lost my best friend not to mention essential software for running the site *cries*. Is it 2011 yet I want this year to be behind me so badly.
Michelle
Garth, you are one very smart man. So nice to see a journalist who has done their research for a change. So very rare these days as we know. I too hope that BA puts all those annoying Twilight references to bed. I get so tired of them & am sure Rob does too. He is so much more than those films – stating obvious I know.
Have I mentioned how much I CANNOT wait for this film!! Oh & orgy scene *collapses*
🙁 🙁 – I hope your laptop is soon back to you Maria. I know exactly what you mean when you say you feel like you’ve lost your best friend. Same for me whenever my laptop’s been away from me. It’s no fun, no fun at all.
Vertigo
Orgy?
From here on I dedicate every single moment of everyday to getting that bloody time machine in the air.
Maria
Yes please @Vertigo and whilst you are there – can you bring me my laptop – ugh. Lucky we did the pic challenge yesterday. I don’t even recall what pics are saved on this computer since it’s shared *stampsfeet*
Michelle
Time machine – yes please Vertigo. So unfair Maria, so so unfair 🙁
Sonja Hodzic
Yes, I know Robert is the perfect to play this character. Also, I believe this movie will be one of the best in the 2011.
lise-lou
Orgy? *gulp* Yep definately don’t remember that from the book must be the brothel scene or Rachel Bennette is one very smart screenwriter adding that scene in! 😀
Yes finally an actual writer of a decent article about Rob and not just a poorly researched gossip rant.
It’s going to be a great year!
Carmel
Wishing Maria’s Laptop a speedy recovery. Poor Maria!
Maria
Not just poor me @Carmel – poor all of you – the entire laptop is dedicated to Rob – it’s where all the treasure is kept!
Vertigo
It is like losing the holy grail. *sigh*
I’ll get onto it straight away Maria.
Carmel
🙁
minette
wow! the treasure in danger!!! oh Maria.. for you and for all of us…please, please bring it alive again….
all our laptops are plenty of his pics!!!! need to make a backup…. is a dangerous situation!!! can’t imagine to lose it……
good luck, Maria…..
Vicky
My brain officially stopped functioning at orgy, LOL!!!! Finally a well read and intelligent journo!!!!
Get well soon Maria’s laptop. i don’t know what i’d do without mine.
Maria
Don’t worry @minette I always back up my Rob pics – it would be impossible for me to resave the “treasure” that I’ve saved over the years. But I don’t have my movie making software or photo package *cries* I wanted to make a Christmas vid *stillprayingtoITGods* – otherwise if it has to go back for warranty repairs I shudder to think of when I’ll see it again.