COLETTE (2018)

After marrying a successful Parisian writer known commonly as Willy, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette is transplanted from her childhood home in rural France to the intellectual and artistic splendour of Paris. Soon after, Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him. She pens a semi-autobiographical novel about a witty and brazen country girl named Claudine, sparking a bestseller and a cultural sensation. After its success, Colette and Willy become the talk of Paris and their adventures inspire additional Claudine novels.
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Pretty much what you’d expect from a historical period piece. Two things make this worth watching: 1) Kiera Knightley is very good as Colette, and 2) the fact that it is a true story about a significant author who yet again was nearly lost in the shadow of a man who claimed authorship of a woman for their own gain. There are so many women that have never had the acclaim they deserved and it is important that we hear their stories. The supporting cast is adequate but Knightley is truly the star of this one and is one of her best performances. Otherwise, the movie is pretty dull and one wonders whether, under a different director, there would have been less genteelness and more dramatic punch.