directed by Matt Tyrnauer (2009)
Valentino: The Last Emperor is beautiful, inspiring, and as touching as it is uplifting. The film captures the process and excitement behind the couturier business as well as the glamour of the lives of those involved. The emotion comes not only from impeccable hand made gowns, but particularly from the enviable love and business partnership between Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti who have been weathering the changes in trends and making women look beautiful together for 45 years.
Captured among these often exhilarating images, appropriately set to the score of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, is the designer’s swan song – and an elaborate, over the top decadent one at that. For his 45th anniversary there are parties on top of parties, gallery shows, and runway presentations fit for a king… or an emperor.
One is left in awe of his accomplishments and saddened by the end of an art form. His is truly an extraordinary life, the kind of magical and seemingly fictional life of a modern aristocrat, and being permitted a peek inside it is amazing.; and it may just bring you to tears.
But what do you think?