Colette (2018)

Colette is pushed by her husband to write novels under his name. Upon their success, she fights to make her talents known, challenging gender norms.

Director:

Wash Westmoreland

Writers:

Richard Glatzer (screenplay by), Wash Westmoreland (screenplay by)

Stars:

Keira Knightley, Fiona Shaw, Dominic West

1 win & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Keira Knightley	...	Colette
Fiona Shaw	...	Sido
Dominic West	...	Willy
Robert Pugh	...	Jules
Sloan Thompson	...	Matilde
Arabella Weir	...	Mme. de Caillavet
Máté Haumann	...	Count Muffat
Ray Panthaki	...	Veber
Al Weaver	...	Schwob
Virág Bárány	...	Lotte Kinceler
Dickie Beau	...	Wague
Kylie Watt	...	Opera Singer
Janine Harouni	...	Jeanne de Caillavet
Jake Graf	...	Gaston de Caillavet
Joe Geary	...	Bailiff

Storyline

After marrying successful Parisian writer Henry Gauthier-Villars, known commonly as "Willy" (Dominic West), Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) is transplanted from her childhood home in rural France to the intellectual and artistic splendor of Paris. Soon after, Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him. Colette, in turn, pens a semi-autobiographical novel about a witty and brazen country girl named Claudine, sparking a bestseller and a cultural sensation. After its success, Colette and Willy become the talk of Paris and their adventures inspire additional Claudine novels. Colette's fight over creative ownership and gender roles drives her to overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion and sexual expression.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian kiss | novelist | bisexuality | paris france | infidelity | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true story.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK USA France Hungary Netherlands

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 December 2018 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Colette

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$161,179, 23 September 2018

Gross USA:

$5,137,622

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,273,033

Company Credits

Production Co:

Number 9 Films, Killer Films, Bold Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The works of Colette have often been adapted for the cinema, the most famous being "Gigi" by Vincente Minnelli (1958) and "Chéri" by Stephen Frears (2009). The French writer was portrayed by Mathilda May in "Devenir Colette" and by Marie Trintignant in the television movie "Colette, a free woman" made in 2003 by her mother Nadine Trintignant.

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Goofs

At the start of the film the Wisteria is in bloom suggesting that it is late spring, however Colette's mother asks her to pick some Blackberries, which would not be ripe for picking until late summer/early autumn.

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Quotes

Colette: I Can Read You Like The Top Line of an Optician's Chart.

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Crazy Credits

There is a dedication to Richard Glatzer, who co-wrote the film's screenplay with Wash Westmoreland, shortly before the closing credits: "For Richard".

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Connections

Remake of Becoming Colette (1991)

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Soundtracks

Down by the Salley Gardens
Written by William Butler Yeats and Herbert Hughes
Performed by Kylie Watt

User Reviews

Nothing like you think Colette was

This movie is downright depressing. Keira Knightly was playing some other character, not as I always envisioned Colette from her novels, Cherie and The Last of Cherie, not to mention her stage play Gigi. Should have given this movie another title.