Bel Ami Reviews and Ratings


  • louisa2466
    May 26, 2012
    louisa2466
    I actually quite liked Robert Pattinson in this. It was pretty entertaining watching him act like a douche.
  • ThomasJayWilliams
    May 23, 2012
    ThomasJayWilliams
    The tale of a poor and morally bankrupt social-climber in 1890's Paris, Bel Ami might have pretty costumes and elaborate set design but the lack of a single genuinely likable character in a sea a users, shakers and schemers makes it a trying watch. Based upon an 1885 novel by Fr... read moreench author Guy de Maupassant, Bel Ami stars Robert Pattinson (Twilight, Little Ashes) as poor clerk, Georges Duroy, who wants to be rich ... and who will do just anything to achieve that goal. Using a chance meeting with a former army comrade to get his foot in the door with a newspaper, Georges befriends the publisher's wife, Madeleine (Uma Thurman - Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill), who helps him write articles good enough for publication. Her assistance allows him to move-up at the paper and become a respectable journalists after initally being assigned fluff pieces worth little-to-no regard. Through Madeleine, he meets her married friend Clotilde (Christina Ricci - Sleepy Hollow, Monster) with whom he begins an affair (and she is one of the few respectable characters if one can overlook her shortcomings as she is at least kind-hearted). He also begins an affair with the wife (Kristin Scott Thomas - The English Patient, The Horse Whisperer) of a powerful political player in hopes of bettering his prospects. The entire time the women are professing their love for the man, he's scheming of what he can do next as these women are nothing more to him than stepping stones ... and that is the entire film. Georges is a despicable, detestable individual who never learns anything in regards to another's feelings ... his goal of being rich is the only thing that matters to him and this makes the film somewhat of a bore as Pattinson isn't a good enough actor to make us care for him and all of his shortcomings. Half-way through we want to see him get his due as his grudges (how is his previous any of these people's fault?) and disrespect become as petty as he is. Bel Ami has a few successes but wanting most of it to "go away" isn't a good thing for it. Had Georges been a respectable cad (or even remotely likable) the fate of Bel Ami might be different; but as is ... he isn't a "good friend" I'd want or recommend to others.
  • fb100000854013859
    May 2, 2012
    fb100000854013859
    The films lacks depth of the original novel and its political satire, but manages to touch just enough strings to show a despair of a young gigolo climbing to richness and success over the cuddly bodies of the many women. Christina Ricci and Uma Thurman merged beautifully into th... read moree 18th century's French high society full of evil scheming and treacherous intrigues, while Robert Pattinson seems to have been born there, almost loosing it somewhere in the middle, but falling on his feel again, better than ever.
  • Arabellake
    April 5, 2012
    Arabellake
    It was boring, slow and pointless. It did illustrate beautifully how money can become everything and conquer even love, but somehow it was too annoying to make the point. CINEMA
  • fb621119749
    March 29, 2012
    fb621119749
    This could have been a lot better. The turn of the century in France is full of great novels and stories about ambition and corruption. Guy de Maupassant's novel has been adapted several times before for the screen. This one is not really a good one. Robert Pattinson has been mis... read more-cast and doesn't give a convincing performance. The rest of the cast's performances are also average, failing to lift the film. This is disappointing given the caliber of actors and actresses. Costumes and decor are beautiful but it's not enough.
  • jdanielp
    March 25, 2012
    jdanielp
    Pattinson attempts to expand his acting repertoire with a serious costume drama about social mobility in late 19th century Paris, yet he mostly relies on trademarked Twilight facial expressions, leaving the more able cast to act around him, and, whilst the film does start intrigu... read moreingly enough, it soon loses momentum.
  • NightBear
    March 15, 2012
    NightBear
    I read this script over a year ago and really enjoyed it, so I had to see the film. Robert Pattinson played Georges Duroy well, and I loved Kristen Scott Thomas, as always. Costume and set looked fantastic, and the rest of the cast were also well chosen. Nice job!
  • rsla1993
    March 14, 2012
    rsla1993
    I'm hoping for a bit of luck in Paris.
  • scottydgibbs
    March 11, 2012
    scottydgibbs
    Pattinson has swagger throughout this adaption of the novel which ive not read, making his way up the society ladder through his way with the ladys, marrying, playing them, being a lover, Pattinson always looks weird its his eyes, but i feel it does give him emotion when needed, ... read morethe women on show bring something also, Esprcially Christine ricci, the story runs well and does bring something to that period about that way of life and womens standing compared to the men.
  • BEGGY1973
    February 20, 2012
    BEGGY1973
    Just curious, how Pattinson is gonna be able to play a role like this one
  • 1ManWolfPack
    February 15, 2012
    1ManWolfPack
    RELEASE DATE UNKNOWN
  • tinalatour22
    September 12, 2010
    tinalatour22
    can;t wiat to see it

Summary

Bel Ami Summary