TIFF18 Review “Colette”

Featuring a standout performance by Keira Knightley, the film tracks the real-life of french author Colette, known for writing the novella Gigi. The film begins with Colette falling for family friend Willy (Dominic West), a much older free-wheeling writer who whisks her away to Paris and introduces her to art and culture.

Colette comes to realize that Willy does not write his own novels and he turns to her to help them earn some income. She writes about her school days and thus Claudine is born, a book franchise that takes France by storm. Colette years for her name to print on the novel but Willy refuses under the excuse that a female writer “won’t sell.”

Knightley brings such ferocity to the character of Colette, a woman coming into her own in an exciting time in Paris. She’s discovering her talent and also realizing she’s not that into her husband and more interested in the women she meets in her life.

The film features beautiful costumes and stunning cinematography, transporting the viewer to 19th century France.

A lot of the themes presented in the movie though still ring true today, as women continuously fight hard for their achievements. Colette delivers an amazing monologue to Willy at the end which makes you feel for her years of achievements being covered up and the scene could launch Knightley into awards consideration this Oscar season.