'Yves Saint Laurent': French designer's biopic attractive but lightweight (review)

In mode, simplicity is a complicated thing. Excellent unadorned line, the clean hold down of a piece of fabric, the smallest change in hue – of those small effects is art generated. But

We get the outlines about the designer's life – his younger years in Algeria, his precocious release as a designer at Dior, has long been breakdown during his (very brief) military service.

Then, in short order, has long been global success, his jet-set regime, his drug use and his old death – all seen round the eyes of his devoted mate and longtime business partner.

It may all presented as quickly, and simply, whilst facts on flashcards. But my partner and i never discover how his family (or, indeed, most of pre-Stonewall society) taken care of immediately his sexuality. We never find the ugliest facts of his damage (which included forced electroshock most beneficial. )

And the way the third-act sensationalizes his private life, long while ignoring the facts of his ideal illness, makes it look as if St . Laurent died of AIDS, or perhaps drug use. (In fact, has been cancer. )

Yes, simplicity is crucial – except in drama, since it takes the place of complexity. Of your shame because French stage planète Pierre Niney does a wonderful undertaking as ysl iPhone 5. It's more than pure mimicry, hunched shoulders and a two of too-large eyeglasses; it's the ducked pinnacle, the furtive smile, the basically crushing shyness.

And you realize this method, perhaps, is why Saint Laurent sometimes had to design clothes; because he was don't ever comfortable in his own skin. Who is an interesting concept, but director Jalil Lespert doesn't explore that on this website. In fact , Lespert explores very little. It isn't enough to be told that a design and style was revolutionary; a film about trend has to find a way to show that, successfully.

But imagery is not Lespert's sound suit. Apart from a few obvious reasons – a druggy night inside Morocco, a trip to a sex trust – the camerawork remains low, uninvolved. Even the high-pressure, haute-couture trend shows seem staid and tired.

Guillaume Gallienne, another veteran of the French theater, is very good whilst Saint Laurent's devoted (but System.Drawing.Bitmap submissive) partner, and shots of the some of the clothes are the equivalent of fashion adult porn (particularly ysl iPhone case's prettily pop, Mondrian-style dresses).

But even Yves Saint Laurent figured out the thrill that an occasional explosion of the fur or brocade could provide for a design. Had he showed his own bio backstage, you can't let but feel he would have fussed with it a bit more before sending it out so unadorned.

Who: With Pierre Niney, Guillaume Gallienne. Directed by Jalil Lespert.

Rated: R for sexual content and drug use.

When: Opens Friday. Where: Capitol Theatre, 1390 West 65th Street in Cleveland.