Angelina Jolie captivates audiences in ‘Couture’, a film that intertwines personal struggle with the glamorous yet challenging world of fashion.
Angelina Jolie Shines in ‘Couture’ Despite Mixed Reviews
Ten years after By the Sea, which showcased the now-divorced Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt acting out a version of their real-life relationship, Jolie draws inspiration from her own biography once again in the new drama Couture. The film had its world premiere at the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. Written and directed by Alice Winocour, it features Jolie as Maxine, a renowned filmmaker attending Paris Fashion Week when she learns of her breast cancer diagnosis, forcing her to weigh her professional ambitions against the need for treatment.
Jolie’s Personal Connection to the Role
In 2013, the Oscar-winning star of Girl, Interrupted, Changeling, and Maleficent underwent a double mastectomy as a preventive measure against cancer, given her family history with the disease. This personal experience deeply informs her performance in Couture, with early reviews rightfully praising her work. “Angelina Jolie is a tour de force,” declares Screen Daily‘s review by Robert Daniels.
Critics’ Take on the Film’s Structure
Daniels notes, “Jolie seems to bend the picture around her,” emphasizing the connection between her real-life struggles and her character. He writes, “Jolie has spoken out about her own family history of cancer, and she brings that personal experience to what might be the most vulnerable performance of her career.” While Jolie’s performance is at the forefront, Winocour has structured the film as a loose ensemble piece, featuring narratives around a new model named Ava (Anyier Anei) and makeup artist Angèle (Fella Rumpf) attempting to shift to a writing career. Critics generally feel these subplots do not integrate effectively with Jolie’s central story.
Mixed Reactions from Critics
According to Variety‘s Owen Gleiberman, “Jolie gives a vivid performance, endowing Maxine with cool-director verve and then a fear and sorrow we can’t help but respond to.” However, he also notes that the film struggles to balance its health crisis narrative with the fashion world backdrop, suggesting that a deeper exploration of couture might have enhanced its distinctiveness.
The Hollywood Reporter‘s David Rooney echoes this sentiment, stating, “Jolie’s transfixing screen presence alone makes Maxine hold our attention in a way that the other characters seldom do.” He critiques the film as feeling unbalanced and disjointed, particularly in how it handles the other storylines.
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Writing for IndieWire, Richard Lawson describes the film as “leaden” but praises Jolie for infusing life into her role, noting her ability to convey both magnetism and a sense of impending dread. He highlights her chemistry with Louis Garrel, who plays Maxine’s cinematographer and potential love interest, as a standout aspect of the film.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag Awaiting Distribution
Couture arrived in Toronto seeking a distributor, and while the initial reviews are mixed, Jolie’s compelling performance may attract a buyer eager to support her in pursuit of a third Oscar nomination.
