Bel Ami

UK Release: 9th March 2012

Watched on LoveFilm Instant: Sunday 23rd December 2012

Rating: 15

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 1hr 42mins

IMDb Plot Synopsis: Georges Duroy is a penniless soldier returning from war. He travels to Paris in a search for ways to improve his social and financial status. He uses his wit and powers of seduction to charm wealthy women. 

A Quick Review: I was rather disappointed with Bel Ami. After all the hype over the past couple of years and starring some big names, including Uma Thurman, Robert Pattinson, Christina Ricci and Kristen Scott Thomas, I expected more from this period drama. It had the potential to be an interesting look at Paris in that exciting period with all the temptation and corruption that came with it. 

Instead, while it tried, it didn’t quite click and the chemistry between Pattinson and the other leads was non-existent. I can;t help but thinking that Pattinson might have been the main problem with the film but in general it felt a little lazy, with not enough effort put into the script or direction to really spark interest and show us something different. 

Unfortunately it felt like I’d seen it all before and was nowhere near as exciting as it could have been - in fact in many places it was just the opposite.

Score: 7/10