The quote used in the caption for this review is form the writer of the novel on which this film BEL AMI is based - Guy de Maupassant, whose stories are characterized by their economy of style and efficient, effortless dénouement. In many ways that quote summarizes the plot of this story.
BEL AMI is set in Paris in the upper-middle class environment of the leading journalists of the newspaper La Vie Française and their friends. It tells the story of Georges Duroy (Robert Pattinson), who has spent three years of military service in Algeria. After six months working as a clerk in Paris, an encounter with his former comrade, Forestier (Philip Glenister), enables him to start a career as a journalist. From a reporter of minor events and soft news, he gradually climbs his way up to chief editor. Duroy initially owes his success to Forestier's wife (Uma Thurman) who helps him write his first articles and, when he later starts writing lead articles, she adds an edge and poignancy to them. At the same time, she uses her connections among leading politicians to provide him with behind the scenes information which allows him to become actively involved in politics. Duroy is also introduced to many politicians in Madame Forestier's drawing-room. Duroy becomes the lover of Forestiers' friend Clotilde Marelle (Christina Ricci), another influential woman. Duroy later tries to seduce Madeleine Forestier to get even with her husband, but she repulses Duroy's sexual advances and offers that they become true friends without ulterior motives instead. In a few months, Charles Forestier's health deteriorates and he travels to Cannes to regain it. Soon afterwards, Duroy receives a letter from Madeleine imploring him to come to join her and help her bear the last moments of her husband's life. As Forestier dies, Duroy asks Madeleine to marry him. After a few weeks to consider, she agrees. Georges now signs his articles Du Roy (an aristocratic style of French name) in order to add prestige to his name. The married couple travel to Normandy, the region of Georges's childhood, and meet his peasant parents. Finding the reality different than her romantic expectations, Madeleine feels very uncomfortable with his parents and so their stay with them is short. In the newspaper office, Duroy is ridiculed for having his articles written by his wife, just as the late Forestier had his articles written by her. His newspaper colleagues call him 'Forestier', which drives Georges mad and he suddenly becomes heavily jealous of Madeleine, insisting that she admit having been unfaithful to Forestier, but she never does.
In order to suppress the stings of jealousy, Duroy starts an affair with Mme Virginie Walter (Kristin Scott Thomas), the wife of the owner of the newspaper. He especially enjoys the conquest as he is her first extramarital lover. Later on, however, he regrets the decision, for he cannot get rid of her when he does not want her. Duroy's relations with his wife become chillier, and at one point he takes a police superintendent to a flat in which his wife is meeting a minister. They catch the two in the act of adultery, which was then a crime punishable under the law.
Duroy's ascent to power continues. Duroy, now a single man, makes use of his chief Rousset (Colm Meaney) daughter's (Holliday Grainger) infatuation with him, and arranges an elopement with her. The parents then have no other choice but to grant their assent to the marriage. The last chapter shows Duroy savouring his success at the wedding ceremony at which 'all those who figured prominently in society' were present. His thoughts, however, chiefly belong to Mme de Marelle who, when wishing him all the best, indicates that she has forgiven him for his new marriage and that their intimate meetings can be taken up again.
Directors Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod are novices and the pacing of the film could use some polish. The sets and costumes are the stars and the musical score by both Rachel Portman and Lakshmam Joseph De Saram and cinematography by Stefano Falivene mange to create the atmosphere of La Belle Epoque well. The cast is strong, though the title role of Georges Duroy (aka Bel Ami) feels undercast: Robert Pattinson lacks the depth of subtlety in his current acting skill to be convincing as the poor cad of this rags to riches via abuse of women role. It will be interesting to see if this film will last once it is released in theaters. Grady Harp, May 12
BEL AMI is set in Paris in the upper-middle class environment of the leading journalists of the newspaper La Vie Française and their friends. It tells the story of Georges Duroy (Robert Pattinson), who has spent three years of military service in Algeria. After six months working as a clerk in Paris, an encounter with his former comrade, Forestier (Philip Glenister), enables him to start a career as a journalist. From a reporter of minor events and soft news, he gradually climbs his way up to chief editor. Duroy initially owes his success to Forestier's wife (Uma Thurman) who helps him write his first articles and, when he later starts writing lead articles, she adds an edge and poignancy to them. At the same time, she uses her connections among leading politicians to provide him with behind the scenes information which allows him to become actively involved in politics. Duroy is also introduced to many politicians in Madame Forestier's drawing-room. Duroy becomes the lover of Forestiers' friend Clotilde Marelle (Christina Ricci), another influential woman. Duroy later tries to seduce Madeleine Forestier to get even with her husband, but she repulses Duroy's sexual advances and offers that they become true friends without ulterior motives instead. In a few months, Charles Forestier's health deteriorates and he travels to Cannes to regain it. Soon afterwards, Duroy receives a letter from Madeleine imploring him to come to join her and help her bear the last moments of her husband's life. As Forestier dies, Duroy asks Madeleine to marry him. After a few weeks to consider, she agrees. Georges now signs his articles Du Roy (an aristocratic style of French name) in order to add prestige to his name. The married couple travel to Normandy, the region of Georges's childhood, and meet his peasant parents. Finding the reality different than her romantic expectations, Madeleine feels very uncomfortable with his parents and so their stay with them is short. In the newspaper office, Duroy is ridiculed for having his articles written by his wife, just as the late Forestier had his articles written by her. His newspaper colleagues call him 'Forestier', which drives Georges mad and he suddenly becomes heavily jealous of Madeleine, insisting that she admit having been unfaithful to Forestier, but she never does.
In order to suppress the stings of jealousy, Duroy starts an affair with Mme Virginie Walter (Kristin Scott Thomas), the wife of the owner of the newspaper. He especially enjoys the conquest as he is her first extramarital lover. Later on, however, he regrets the decision, for he cannot get rid of her when he does not want her. Duroy's relations with his wife become chillier, and at one point he takes a police superintendent to a flat in which his wife is meeting a minister. They catch the two in the act of adultery, which was then a crime punishable under the law.
Duroy's ascent to power continues. Duroy, now a single man, makes use of his chief Rousset (Colm Meaney) daughter's (Holliday Grainger) infatuation with him, and arranges an elopement with her. The parents then have no other choice but to grant their assent to the marriage. The last chapter shows Duroy savouring his success at the wedding ceremony at which 'all those who figured prominently in society' were present. His thoughts, however, chiefly belong to Mme de Marelle who, when wishing him all the best, indicates that she has forgiven him for his new marriage and that their intimate meetings can be taken up again.
Directors Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod are novices and the pacing of the film could use some polish. The sets and costumes are the stars and the musical score by both Rachel Portman and Lakshmam Joseph De Saram and cinematography by Stefano Falivene mange to create the atmosphere of La Belle Epoque well. The cast is strong, though the title role of Georges Duroy (aka Bel Ami) feels undercast: Robert Pattinson lacks the depth of subtlety in his current acting skill to be convincing as the poor cad of this rags to riches via abuse of women role. It will be interesting to see if this film will last once it is released in theaters. Grady Harp, May 12