Colette Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A country bumpkin writes a best-selling book for her husband, then decides she’s too good for him and also maybe likes girls, so she becomes a scandalous stage performer.

🍿 Colette: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Marriage

Gabrielle Colette, a young woman from the French countryside, marries Henry Gauthier-Villars, a well-known Parisian writer and critic known as Willy. She moves to Paris, entering a world of intellectual and artistic circles vastly different from her rural upbringing. Willy encourages her to ghostwrite for him, recognizing her storytelling talent.

The Claudine Novels

Colette begins writing a semi-autobiographical novel about a young woman named Claudine, based on her own experiences. The novel, published under Willy’s name, becomes a sensation, launching a series of Claudine books. The success brings fame and fortune, but Colette remains uncredited, her work exploited for Willy’s gain. This exploitation becomes a central point of conflict.

Struggles for Recognition

As the Claudine novels gain popularity, Colette grows increasingly frustrated with her lack of recognition. She begins to assert her own identity, both personally and professionally, challenging the gender norms of the time. She also explores her sexuality, adding further complexity to her life and relationships.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Colette (Keira Knightley): A talented country girl who becomes a celebrated writer, fighting for recognition and challenging societal norms in patriarchal Paris.
• Willy (Dominic West): Colette’s older, philandering husband who exploits her writing talent and takes credit for her successful novels.
• Sido (Fiona Shaw): Colette’s mother, a supportive figure who represents her roots and independence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Colette: “My name is Gabrielle Colette and the hand that holds the pen writes history.” – Colette asserts her identity and her determination to leave her mark on the world.
• Willy: “Women writers don’t sell.” – Willy states his belief that female authors are not commercially viable, revealing his sexist views.
• Colette: “Those books, they were all we had.” – Colette expresses her sense of loss and betrayal after Willy sells the rights to her books without her consent.
• Colette: “I am Claudine. Everything I thought and felt went into those books. They were me. My childhood memories, my experiences.” – Colette explains her connection to the Claudine character, emphasizing the personal and authentic nature of her writing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,137,622
• Worldwide Gross: $14,273,033

💥 Colette Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Colette’! Keira Knightley was amazing, and I was completely drawn into her character’s journey. The scene where she finally confronts her husband and demands recognition gave me chills! The movie made me think about how far women have come and how much we owe to people like Colette. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys historical dramas and strong female leads.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of period dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in feminist stories”
  • “Those who enjoy biographical films”
  • “Admirers of Keira Knightley”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Some nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Depiction of adultery”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Wash Westmoreland’s ‘Colette’ is a vibrant period drama fueled by Keira Knightley’s captivating performance. The film explores themes of female empowerment and artistic ownership with a modern sensibility, making it both relevant and engaging.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Colette’ succeeds in portraying a complex woman’s struggle for recognition in a patriarchal society. Keira Knightley shines as the titular character, capturing her intelligence, wit, and determination. Dominic West delivers a nuanced performance as her manipulative yet strangely charming husband.
• Variety: “Colette’s story, while compelling, is sometimes overshadowed by its conventional biopic structure. However, Keira Knightley’s magnetic presence and the film’s exploration of gender and sexual identity make it a worthwhile watch. The costumes and production design are exquisite.

Audience Reactions

Keira Knightley’s performance was phenomenal!: Viewers praised Keira Knightley’s portrayal of Colette as strong, independent, and captivating.

Costumes and set design were stunning and transported me to Paris.: The film’s visuals, including the costumes and set design, were widely appreciated for their beauty and authenticity.

The theme of female empowerment resonated deeply with audiences.: Many viewers found the film’s themes of female empowerment and the fight for artistic recognition to be timely and inspiring.

Overall Consensus: ‘Colette’ is a well-acted and visually appealing period drama that explores themes of female empowerment and artistic identity, with Keira Knightley’s performance being a major highlight.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The location shoot in Budapest was so warm at times, Dominic West wore a water vest inside his heavy costume that functioned like a car radiator, circulating cool water around his upper body. The contraption was recommended to him by John C. Reilly who used such an apparatus while playing the rotund Oliver Hardy in the biopic Stan & Ollie (2018).”
• “The film is dedicated to Richard Glatzer, who co-wrote the screenplay with Wash Westmoreland, shortly before his passing.”

🖥️ How to Watch Colette?

Colette is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, and for purchase or rental on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Colette, you might like these similar films:

• The Wife (2017): Shares a similar theme of a woman ghostwriting for her husband and grappling with her own unrecognized talent.
• Suffragette (2015): Focuses on the fight for women’s rights in early 20th-century England, echoing Colette’s struggle for independence.
• Shakespeare in Love (1998): Explores themes of authorship, identity, and societal expectations through a fictionalized historical lens.
• Becoming Jane (2007): A biographical drama focusing on the early life and loves of a prominent female author navigating societal constraints.

🛒 Colette Related Products

• Colette (Claudine) (Penguin Classics): The complete Claudine novels in one volume. Delve deeper into the literary world of Colette with the books that made her famous. Features insightful introductions and annotations.
• Colette: A Novel: A historical fiction novel offering an intimate portrayal of Colette’s life and her struggle for self-discovery. Provides a captivating and emotional reading experience.
• Colette Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home or office.
• Colette on Bluray: Watch the movie in HD quality and revisit Colette’s world.

🎧 Soundtrack

Colette features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Down by the Salley Gardens” – performed by Kylie Watt
• “Danse Macabre” – performed by Camille Saint-Saëns

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

COLETTE | Official Featurette

Ever wonder what it takes to bring a historical figure like Colette to life? Check out this featurette with Keira Knightley and Dominic West – their insights are super interesting and really deepen your appreciation for the film!

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