Colette

“Colette” is a captivating biographical drama film that was released in 2018. Directed by Wash Westmoreland and featuring stars Keira Knightley, Dominic West, and Fiona Shaw, the movie places French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette at the heart of its narrative. Colette is recognized as one of France’s most iconic and pioneering writers, and the film offers a glimpse into her life which was almost as dramatic and groundbreaking as her work.

Set in the late 19th and early 20th century, the story begins near the tiny village of Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye in France, where Gabrielle ‘Colette’ is raised. Played by the estimable Keira Knightley, Colette is discovered to be an intelligent and strong-willed country girl with an independent spirit despite the restrictions and conventions of the time. When we first meet her, she is being courted by Henry Gauthier-Villars (played with remarkable charisma and panache by Dominic West), a charming and larger-than-life character from Paris known to most by his nom de plume, Willy.

Willy, a celebrated man-about-town, is a writer, a publisher, and a littérateur, though as the film progresses, we see he sources much of his work from an ‘atelier’ of writers, simply branding them as his own. Moving Colette to Paris after their marriage, he introduces her to the decadent world of Belle Epoque society, a stark contrast from the simplicity and tranquility of her rural upbringing. There, she begins to engage with avant-garde intellectuals and artists, helping to further develop her own artistic sensibilities. It is within this vibrant and frenetic setting that Colette’s literary talent began to flower.

The film does not shy away from presenting Willy as a charming yet flawed character. After facing financial setbacks, Willy discovers Colette’s talent for writing and encourages, then exploits her work for his own financial gain. This leads to the creation of the semi-autobiographical ‘Claudine’ novels, which become a sensation in Paris. The 'Claudine' series, written under Willy’s name, brings fame, but it is Willy who basks in the spotlight while Colette remains in the shadows. Despite the success, their personal and professional partnerships start to strain.

One of the key aspects of the film "Colette" lies in its exploration of the gender dynamics of the time. It portrays Colette’s fight for recognition against her husband’s control and the patriarchal society that allowed such theft to occur. Colette’s struggle to assert her intellectual property rights is a testament to an era in which women’s voices were often repressed and disregarded.

Moreover, the movie also delves into Colette's discovery and exploration of her sexual identity. She forms relationships with a wealthy Southern belle, Georgie Raoul-Duval (Eleanor Tomlinson), and the Marquise de Belbeuf, a masculine-identified woman nicknamed Missy (Denise Gough), which comprise formative aspects of Colette's self-discovery.

Knightley’s performance as Colette is powerful; she brings a strength of character, an intelligence, and a fierceness to the role that neatly encapsulates Colette’s fighting spirit. Equally, West’s portrayal of Willy is complex - he is at once charming, infuriating, exploitative, yet also vulnerable.

The film not only serves as a testament to Colette's literary achievements but also her contributions in challenging social conventions and championing women's rights. It's a visually stunning period piece with evocative costumes and set pieces that transport audiences back to the era of Belle Epoque, Paris.

“Colette,” as a film, embraces the life and work of a trailblazing woman who molded her own path in society against all odds. It vividly encapsulates the essence of a woman who would not be limited by society’s expectations or the confines of her marriage. The narrative maintains a delicate balance between presenting the full range of her life experiences and portraying her evolution into an autonomous writer and woman, making it a must-watch for fans of feminist cinema, biographical drama, or French literary history.