All too often, 19th-century costume dramas play like pure escapism; look at those nicely dressed people with their charmingly antiquated problems! For all her period-appropriate dress, however, Knightley plays Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette – she went by just Colette – as a thoroughly modern, headstrong woman. (Willy had no concerns with either he or Colette sleeping with women, but drew the line at men.) Had Collete failed, this would have been the place for the film critic to draw the same parallel. As it is, I feel that Willy, despite a less than flattering portrayal, would have enjoyed the movie and its message of empowerment.

Source: National Post September 27, 2018 15:56 UTC