If you've ever seen any doco on Halston you'll know what an interesting and ultimately tragic story his life was. What should have been a striking and visually exciting series is like flicking through a magazine - lots of nice images but ultimately unengaging at the time and forgettable when the flicking is through.
Although he's getting praise for his work in this, I think Ewan McGregor is the biggest problem with the cast. Does he do a good job? Yes, of course he does but he is just too old. At 50 years of age (Halston died at 52) Ewan looks far too mature to play someone on the way up and looking to find his place in the world as only a young person can. He looks like a contemporary of the matrons he's dressing rather than a young designer worthy of their infatuation. It could've been a great breakout role for a young actor.
Also disappointing is that his family don't get much coverage at all, considering that they looked after him when he began to become seriously ill and he was by all accounts quite close to them. Can't anyone in Hollywood productions come from a happy, caring family anymore?
Overall, it's nice to watch from a stylistic point of view, but watch the doco Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston if you want to see the real Halston and his creations in all their original glory.
Although he's getting praise for his work in this, I think Ewan McGregor is the biggest problem with the cast. Does he do a good job? Yes, of course he does but he is just too old. At 50 years of age (Halston died at 52) Ewan looks far too mature to play someone on the way up and looking to find his place in the world as only a young person can. He looks like a contemporary of the matrons he's dressing rather than a young designer worthy of their infatuation. It could've been a great breakout role for a young actor.
Also disappointing is that his family don't get much coverage at all, considering that they looked after him when he began to become seriously ill and he was by all accounts quite close to them. Can't anyone in Hollywood productions come from a happy, caring family anymore?
Overall, it's nice to watch from a stylistic point of view, but watch the doco Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston if you want to see the real Halston and his creations in all their original glory.