Movie Fanatic Reviews Bel Ami
As we know, Bel Ami opened in selected US theatres on June 8 & with that comes more reviews. Â I really love this one from Movie Fanatic. Â They have some wonderful praise for Rob, LOVE seeing that.
Robert Pattinson has officially moved past Edward in the Twilight series. The British actor is downright fierce in the film adaptation of Guy de Maupassant’s novel Bel Ami. Pattinson is Georges Duroy, the son of a poor farmer, who finds himself in 1890’s Paris after serving as a soldier in Africa. Barely able to put two coins together for a meal, he heads out one fateful night and meets Charles Forestier (Philip Glenister) — an officer who took a liking to him on the fighting fields.
Immediately he is thrust into the upper crust world of Parisian high-end social circles. Georges lands a job as a writer for the most powerful newspaper in the city, led by Rousset Walters (Colm Meaney). Although the men he encounters appreciate him, it is their wives who seem to find him more fascinating than what they have at home.
Georges uses that “in†to manipulate and connive his way up the social ladder.
Pattinson brings a shyness meets slyness to the role and sizzles on every frame. The young actor has truly arrived with Bel Ami as he inhabits every scene of the movie with a panache that shows what Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke first saw in him when she cast him as Edward. The entire film would not work if not for the choices Pattinson makes as a performer throughout. The audience pulls for his character, even if he is less than morally sound.
The supporting cast is stellar with Christina Ricci, Kristin Scott Thomas and Uma Thurman as his romantic conquests. Each plays their role efficiently and even though Bel Ami is the Robert Pattinson show, the trio of female leads makes the entire screen experience feel more like an ensemble than the one-man show it could have been. She is always fantastic, so it should hardly be a surprise, but Thomas astounds as the wife of Rousset. Her wife is lonely, but happy. And it is not until Pattinson’s Georges sets his sights on her that the actress truly brings the power. How her character alters in a matter of moments is a lesson in the art of acting.
It is clear after witnessing Bel Ami that the work is based on a book. Maupassant’s Paris has such intricate detail, that screenwriter Rachel Bennette had half her work already done by the author’s uncanny account of the French capital of that time. Movies based on classic books can either disappoint or invigorate. Bel Ami does the latter and makes us want to return to Maupassant’s pages for more.
4.5 stars.
I cannot wait to own Bel Ami on DVD so I can see Rob as Georges again. Â He is just fantastic in the role – absolutely magnificent.
8 comments on “Movie Fanatic Reviews Bel Ami”
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Bee Kaye
Hooray, a decent review (amongst others). I agree, Bel Ami is an ensemble piece and Kristen Scott Thomas was exceptional, in that she portrayed beautifully Virginie’s response to this younger man and how he made her feel. I was so impressed with Rob’s performance with his feelings registering on his face before he even said a word. Fantastic to watch – enjoyed all the performances and the tempo of the film. Ormerod, Donnellan and cast congratulations. Thanks Michelle for post.
Elane
Sorry had o giggle at the term “thrust” 😉 Ok I am off to the NC but so glad to see such a positive review. Thank you Michelle for the post, Georges on DVD cannot wait. *fans self*
Jules
LOL @ Elane see you in the NC 😉
Loved this review Michelle, thank you so much for posting. Always so SO good to read a review from someone who went to see the same movie I did. LOL I absolutely loved him in BA. 🙂
Michelle
It really is SO good to see Jules. I LOVED him as Georges – thought he was brilliant. Need the DVD NOW, I miss him LOL.
lise-lou
“Bel Ami is the Robert Pattinson show” love it when someone sees the world my way 🙂
Michelle
How great is that line lise-lou 😀
shell
“Pattinson brings a shyness meets slyness to the role and sizzles on every frame.”
Agreed. I didn’t love all the cast, but Rob was flipping amazing. Captivating.
Carmel
@Shell, that line caught my eye too. It is a wonderful description.
Yep, it will be a happy day when I get that DVD so I can take my time over those subtle facial expressions that Rob excels at.