Vintage in Les Amours Imaginaires

When I saw Xavier Dolan's second feature film, Les Amours Imaginaires, at the cinema I spent the entire time enraptured and a huge part of that was due to the way this movie looks. From memory, the film received some negative criticism for being derivative (and also for obviously being made for young people, which doesn't make sense to me when Dolan was only about 20 when he made the film) I think it's a beautiful and very honest film. And, as I said, it looks gorgeous.

But in terms of sartorial style it is Marie, played by Monia Chokri, whose wardrobe stole my heart.

The first time we see Marie she's sporting this soft flip and a cute '60s/'70s mini dress. 

Pink cardigan! And phone! And beaded curtains!

I won't deny that I pretend I'm Marie whenever I hear Dalida's version of Bang Bang - I try not to start walking in slow motion, though. Ha. 

Her shell top reminds me of one that I own. Now I want to pair it with some blue pants.

Her styling is perfection down to the last detail.

Another great beaded shell top.

The colours of this shot are so beautiful. And the scooped back of her dress! Swoon.

To say that Dolan has an eye for detail is quite the understatement. Also, his penchant for slow motion scenes made it much easier for me to capture these images. How considerate of him! Ha.

I very much enjoy Marie's colourful coat.

There's a great scene where Dolan's character, Francis, tells Marie that not all vintage should come back or something to that effect (after she tells him the dress he has called 'outdated' is vintage) and Marie just blows smoke in his face as an answer. I love it. You can see the scene here (the part I'm referring to is around 50 seconds) but there aren't any subtitles. 

Though it is interesting how Marie's wardrobe becomes less 'vintage' until at the end she is wearing a tight mini dress reminiscent of Romy (of Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion) or Casandra in Wayne's World. Still gorgeous but quite different from her style at the beginning.

I could say so much more about the film but I really wanted to focus on Marie's wardrobe for this post. One day I may write up a feature post on my movie blog...maybe. 

Murder Mystery Monday #4 {Gosford Park}

I'm fairly certain that most vintage and/or murder mystery lovers will have seen Gosford Park by now but just in case you haven't...you really ought to! I mean, the cast alone is enough of a draw: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren, Kelly Macdonald, Kristin Scott Thomas, James Wilby, Stephen Fry, Richard E. Grant, et al.

The first time I watched Gosford Park I didn't think much of it plot-wise because, for me at least, it fell flat as a murder mystery. But, upon re-watching, I realised it was a very nice snapshot of this sort of life. Like an Upstairs, Downstairs type of thing. And it works far better on that level for me than it does as a murder mystery. But as that is part of the plot, I felt it belonged in this series of posts.*

It has a lot of the tropes/clichés associated with a cosy murder mystery - an assorted cast of characters staying at a country mansion on a rainy weekend; a central much-disliked character; everyone has a motive (well, not everyone but enough of them do) and so on.

But it really is the characters, their backstories and their interactions that interest me the most. And, of course, there are the costumes.

Look at these gorgeous waves in Kristin Scott Thomas's hair!

More gorgeous waves. Swoon.

Kelly Macdonald's sleek and practical bob is adorable.

And the house is so beautiful, too.

I know that in the DVD extras it is discussed that Robert Altman and Julian Fellowes consulted various people who had worked in the service around this time. There is a scene where one of the staff spits on a fork and polishes it and one of the consultants is horrified because no one would ever have dared to do that. They assured him the scene would be cut but, of course, it wasn't. I found that a rather amusing little snippet.

Anyone else love this movie? I've lost count of the times I've watched it. And how did it work for you as a murder mystery?

(Screencaps from here and here).

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

*I feel like I've written about this movie before, now, but I can't quite remember. Oops.

Silver Screen Sunday {Summer Holiday}

Well, it's been another long break between Silver Screen Sunday posts - I had this scheduled for whilst I was away but, even though I'm still here, I figured I may as well still use it!.

Summer Holiday is just one of a number of movies made in the '50s and '60s starring singer Cliff Richard, though his film career was by no means more prolific (or of any greater quality) than that of Elvis Presley. Despite a ridiculous plot and some elements that I frown at, Summer Holiday is a fun, colourful film with lots of great early '60s fashions. It also serves as a showcase for Cliff Richard's songs, backed by The Shadows (who make numerous cameos throughout the film.)

Don, played by Cliff Richard, is a mechanic who, along with three friends, also mechanics (played by Melvyn Hayes, Teddy Green and Jeremy Bulloch) do up a London double decker bus with the intention of taking it on holiday tours with paying passengers. The test trip doesn't go quite as they planned, though...

They all but kidnap Una Stubbs (playing Sandy) and company - I say all but as the women eventually decide to go with the men but this is after being manhandled out of their not-at-all-road-worthy vehicle as the four men try to coerce the girls onto their bus. That sounds a lot more sinister than it is presented in the film but it did strike me as I was re-watching it just a few weeks ago, now. The three women all have gorgeous outfits throughout the film (which somehow fit into their small suitcases - hmmmm.)

They change their destination to Athens so the women (a singing trio) can make a gig on time and have other adventures/mishaps along the way...

As I said, The Shadows make numerous appearances in the film, once of which was during the club scene when the travellers are in France, I believe. Oh and there are plenty of slightly odd dance sequences, too! (I couldn't find a video for the club bit but maybe I didn't look hard enough.)

I love Una Stubbs' hair in this movie - makes me want to chop my long locks off! I also love Melvyn Hayes' (as Cyril) wardrobe. I think these two probably have my favourite fashion throughout the whole film.

Can you see the hand and footprint print on Cyril's shirt? So cute. 

I'm also fond of the amount of stripes present in the costumes! Oh, and all the very amusing facial expressions. 

They discover a stowaway played by Lauri Peters who is the famous Barbara Winters, disguised as a young boy to escape the demands of her career (well, mainly her mother).

Look at Cyril in the top picture! And the print on Sandy/Una Stubbs' dress, too. This is the part where Cliff Richard starts singing about how every girl is a beautiful girl when you're a Stranger in Town - all the women around him start turning into young, beautiful scantily clad ones as he walks by. Hmmm.

Of course there is romance...how convenient that everyone is paired off so nicely! Oh, but Don insists he wants to be a Bachelor Boy and have A Swinging Affair (then changes his mind later on).

Then there is some waltzing (really waltzing?) and the women, as you can see, have these beautiful dresses. I can't pick a favourite - the colours, styles and fabric are all so gorgeous.

Another great shirt/hat from Cyril!

When they finally arrive in Athens (after many mishaps orchestrated by Barbara's scheming mother including arrests amongst other things) they get arrested...again! This time for kidnapping Barbara and she is whisked away before she can explain it all to either Don and the gang or the police, etc.

Barbara's mother locks her in her room (wearing this beautifully simple blue dress) but Don gets her out and (spoiler alert, ha) it all works out in the end!

I tend to view movies like this more as a showcase for the singer's music and some great clothes. Plus it is fun to watch and the supporting cast is actually very good (some of whom appear in other Cliff Richard films, as well.) And I'm a huge fan of Cliff's music - he has such a beautiful singing voice. Any other fans (either of the movies or just Cliff)? I do wish there'd been more of The Shadows as I've got a bit of a crush on a young Hank Marvin...

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Silver Screen Sunday {The War of the Worlds}

As you may have noticed in my latest 'finds' post I bought myself a copy of the 1953 The War of the Worlds. I then promptly watched and fell in love with it. I am by no means a sci-fi aficionado but I do love 1950s and 1960s sci-fi films (even though I sometimes forget which ones I've seen when the plots/titles are very similar...oops) so this was right up my alley. Plus it's in glorious Technicolor.

The War of the Worlds directed by Byron Haskin, 1953

Oh and there are some pretty cute outfits, too! Which is why I'm posting about the film here.

I don't like wearing brown all that much (or at all, really) but I loved this outfit that Ann Robinson wore at the beginning of the film. I especially love the contrast detailing on her turtle-neck sweater. I also love the casual clothes that Gene Barry (who is quite the dish) wears in the movie, too.

There were some great western-styled fashions in the square dance scene! Looks at these shirts!

And there was so much plaid. I approve!

You can't see it too well but check out the print on that pink dress! I couldn't tell if it was of bows or stylised butterflies.

Ann Robinson's blue and white square-dance outfit was very cute. And I love the yellow and black plaid shirt the fella in the front is wearing.

I love the pale pink number in the background. This was the only decent shot I could get of it, unfortunately.

I loved Ann Robinson's make-up in this, especially her pink lipstick as I'm looking for the perfect shade of pink to adorn my lips at the moment. I went out to find one the other day but forgot and bought comic books instead. Hmmm.

This blue dress is probably my favourite piece from the film - unfortunately this is the only decent shot I got of it! I think the blue looks lovely with the brown of her scarf tucked into the pocket and her brown loafers, just barely visible here. I'd also love to do this as a costume one day...especially as I'd wear the dress anyway.

You can read my general review of the film at The Sofa Cinephile - I'm not sure about doubling up on posts like this but I feel like it might be a nice way I can focus on the clothes of the film as well as other elements without either post getting too long (though I've just realised how wordy my other post is...eep!). It probably won't be too often that I double up on posts but hopefully it's not annoying.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
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