Sheila McClurg

A limp and boring rendering of what should have been a glorious, shimmering, decadent and enlightening film. Terrible casting of the two lead characters. Colette was a wild child of nature; a wickedly funny and bright child married off to a revolting rake and impresario – Willy – and sadly, Kiera Knightley and Dominic West just didn't capture a trace of the essence of their characters. Both criminally miscast. Kiera was far too refined and wooden in the role. Dominic West did his best as Willy, but simply doesn't have the 'chops' to portray the lecherous, domineering, yet charismatic and witty monstrosity that Willy was ... Truly disappointed by this film... A film that managed to make fin de siècle Paris seem boring...