Robert Pattinson's Bel Ami London Preview Screening - New Review

As the countdown to Friday's release of Bel Ami in the UK draws near the PR surrounding the film is ramping up.

The Soho Hotel in London was the venue for a special preview screening last night. We were invited to attend and although Kate, Tink, Goz or myself couldn't sneak away to London for a night, we knew someone who could and they went on our behalf with the promise of an unbiased review.

To me the unbiased reviews - no concrete allegiance to Rob - are often the best, nothing is left out because the viewer wasn't only captured by The Pretty :-)

Without further ado... here's Rebecca's review.

Its Paris, the city of Love, and in this raunchy production of Guy De Maupassant's Novel 'Bel Ami', we get to see Robert Pattinson at his smoulderingly sexy British best. Set in the 19th century, the film tells the tale of Georges Duroy and his ascent up the social ladder to power, wealth and notoriety. This tale of love, lust and revenge is beautifully directed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Omerod, and they bring the best out of their actors. Robert is supported by a stellar cast, with stand out performances by Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristen Scott Thomas as his various lovers. Phillip Glennister as Charles Forestier is fantastic as well, its wonderful to see great British actors making it onto the big screen and holding their own with the Hollywood A-list. Paris provides a beautiful backdrop to the action and the costume design by Odile Dicks-Mireaux is a joy to behold.

The film itself does have a modern day element, drawing parallels to our own 'celebrity culture'. Simon Fuller was the executive producer, the man behind the Pop Idol franchise, and he couldnt be a better advisor on how to play the fame game. We see how Pattinsons character ruthlessly uses and abuses the women in the tale, manipulating the situation for his own ends. He eventually becomes a kind of celebrity in his own right using looks, charm and social standing as opposed to actual talent, not unusual today with reality television churning out so-called celebrities on a daily basis.

Pattinson has had to prove that he is more than just a teenage pin up, and this film shows he is capable of playing complex characters with real depth. His performance in this film shows us there is a lot more to him than just good looks, although the more raunchy scenes of the film are an opportunity to appreciate his fine physique! Theres certainly more to Robert Pattinson than being a hollywood heart-throb and this film puts him in a different league altogether.

Gah! Makes me want to see it even more ~ wasn't sure that was a possible want... but clearly it is!

Thank you Rebecca (and Rachel) and *clink, clink* to good wine :-)