Search - Bel Ami on DVD

Nadine A. (23dollars)
Reviewed on 10/16/2012...

I think the individual performances in Bel Ami are better than the movie as a whole. The narrative is rushed and disjointed, and doesn't flow very well. Georges Duroy is a complex character, played well by Robert Pattinson, but his thought process and reasoning throughout the film is too vague.

The relationship I enjoyed most was the affair with Clotilde. Theirs was a believable love and attraction, and the actors had great onscreen chemistry. I found myself rooting for them to make it by the end. But Clotilde was a devoted mother, and had reasons for staying in her marriage.

Georges' relationship with the Uma Thurman character, Madeleine, lacked this chemistry. I didn't really buy them romantically; and despite it being a marriage of convenience for Georges, it's unclear why Madeleine would've married Georges at all.

And Georges' pursuit of Madame Walter was interesting. Kristin Scott Thomas gave a wonderful performance, they had surprisingly good chemistry as well.

Overall, I'd give Bel Ami 3.5 stars. It's worth a watch for the performances, but the overall story remains an untapped potential.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.