Becoming Colette

Stars: Klaus Maria Brandauer (Out of Africa, Mephisto), Virginia Madsen (Candyman, Slam Dance), Mathilda May (Lifeforce). Director Danny Huston's (son of the legendary John Huston) biographical film about the early 20th-century French novelist Colette owes more to the soft-core porn tradition than to the literary tradition. Mathilda May as the ingénue village girl Gabrielle (later to become Colette) appears to have been cast more for her looks than her thespian ability. Swept off her feet by Parisian publisher and notable cad Henri Gauthier-Villars (called "Willy" for short)--played by the charismatic Klaus Maria Brandauer--Gabrielle marries Willy and comes to Paris. Under his tutelage, she begins writing her Claudine series of novels (which Willy publishes under his own name), and becomes involved with Willy's ladyfriend, dance-hall queen Polaire (Virginia Madsen, the director's wife). This sets the stage for a nude love scene between May and Madsen, which may titillate some viewers, but--like so many of the scenes in Becoming Colette--advances the story not one whit. Since the entire dramatic burden rests on Gabrielle's breaking free of Willy's hold on her, it's crucial that the viewer be on Gabrielle's side. Unfortunately, Brandauer' Willy is the only light note in this otherwise dreary film, while Gabrielle comes across as a bland simpering wimp with the awareness of an amoeba. Hardly heroine material. The historical Colette's real claim to fame--her remarkable affinity with and writings about animals--is not addressed here, and may one day become the basis for a more accurate and engaging film about the author. Audience: Too salacious for the literary crowd, but not racy enough for the voyeur crowd, Becoming Colette should disappoint everyone.