Valentino: The Last Emperor

It’s ultimately difficult to envision all but the most ardent of fashion fans finding much to embrace in Valentino: The Last Emperor, as filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer has infused the movie with a narrow-minded feel that’s guaranteed to leave neophytes scratching their heads and checking their watches (ie there’s just no entry point here for the average viewer). The film’s failure is especially disappointing given the relatively watchable nature of its opening half hour, as Tyrnauer does a nice job of incorporating intriguing behind-the-scenes footage of garments being created into the otherwise uneventful proceedings. It’s only as the director focuses on Valentino Garavani himself that the movie loses its tenuous hold on the viewer, with the most obvious problem here Tyrnauer’s ongoing struggles at transforming his subject into a wholeheartedly compelling figure. Garavani, swaddled in absurd clothes and sporting a tan that would make George Hamilton envious, is painted as a ridiculous yet successful fashion designer who seems to spend every waking moment at work, with Tyrnauer’s reluctance to explore the man’s private life certainly confirming the movie’s place as a one-sided effort that’s almost entirely lacking in mainstream appeal.

*1/2 out of ****