Ready to Wear

Ready to Wear, alternatively known as Prêt-à-Porter (released in 1994), is a satirical ensemble comedy-drama film that unfolds against the backdrop of the fashion world in Paris. This Robert Altman-directed movie puts the harsh reality of the fashion industry under the spotlight, reflecting both its glamour and meticulously hidden ugliness.

The movie features an international ensemble cast, including Sophia Loren, Julia Roberts, Marcello Mastroianni, Tim Robbins, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Bacall, and Kim Basinger among others. The fascinating synergy among these Hollywood veterans adds a monumental charm to the cinematic piece.

Ready to Wear commences with the sudden demise of a fabled fashion designer. His unexpected lesson creates chaos in the fashion world, as the Paris Fashion Week is just around the corner. This sets off a sequence of interconnected narratives, each narrating the story of a character or a group belonging to different layers of the fashion industry.

Sophia Loren plays the enchanting role of Isabella de la Fontaine, a fading fashion queen struggling to keep her place on the throne amidst the intense competition and changing trends. Marcello Mastroianni, the renowned Italian actor, plays her husband Sergei, who shares a complicated relationship with her on-screen.

Julia Roberts stars as Anne Eisenhower, a reporter who finds herself tangled in unpredictable encounters. Tim Robbins keeps the humor alive with his portrayal of Joe Flynn, a fashion photographer, while Kim Basinger plays Kitty Potter, a television reporter who covers the fashion industry from a layman's perspective, articulating sharp-witted observations loaded with Altman's critiques of the industry.

The film pitch-perfectly frames a painterly portrait of the industry, demanding audiences' attention not just for its narrative but also for the aesthetics. The world is filled with glamour-flaunting models, jealous paparazzi, scheming executives, and seasoned reporters, each showcasing a separate yet interwoven side of the coin. It's essentially an omnibus of narratives, with many of the characters and interactions weaved together in the flavor of drama and satire.

Ready to Wear also stands out due to its notable presentation of Paris as the epicenter of global fashion. The film seizes the perfect opportunity presented by the fashion week to exhibit the aura of the city. The cinematography does justice to the city’s exuberance and charm, captivatingly blending it with the fashion week's hustle and bustle.

However, the movie isn't primarily about the clothes, models, designers, or exclusive haute-couture shows. It delivers an unabashed criticism of the industry through different viewpoints. Some see fashion as an art form, while others perceive it as a mundane realm of insecurities, competition, and superficiality.

The screenplay, co-written by Robert Altman and Barbara Shulgasser, contains all the Altman hallmarks. Its non-linear narrative style and overlapping dialogs give the audience an authentic and immersive experience, which seems like a casual voyeuristic exploration into the fashion world.

What makes Ready to Wear profoundly engrossing is its satirical take. The film doesn't refrain from poking fun at the fashion industry's pretentious nature, criticizing it for prioritizing style over substance. Even the most respected authorities of the industry are not immune to its pungent humor, presenting an amusing yet thought-provoking take on hypocrisy and falsehood.

Moreover, the music score by Michel Legrand prepares the mood of the scenes, masterfully encapsulating the essence of various moods and emotions. It beautifully blends with the visual narrative, enhancing the cinematic experience.

All in all, Ready to Wear is a humorous yet insightful reflection into the world of fashion. Whether one belongs to the fashion industry or is a common viewer, the bitter critique, stellar performances, compelling dialogues, and amusing narrative are plenty appealing. It's a must-watch for those who appreciate cinema as a mode of social commentary or are passionate about the glamorous yet precarious world of fashion.