If you think "Pret-a-Porter" ("Ready to Wear" for us unsophisticated types) is going to be Robert Altman taking you back to "Nashville" or "Short Cuts"...well, think again. Altman totally misfires here. Hey, even Mark McGwire strikes out now and then, Robert!
It seems as though Altman couldn't decide whether to make a comedy or a serious behind the scenes look at the fashion industry. So he ended up doing neither. There are very few laughs here. (None, in fact, is a pretty good estimate of the number). And the characters are so cartoonish, especially the way over the top gay fashion designers, that it couldn't possibly have anything serious to say about the real fashion industry.
Yes, there is a very, very good cast here. I think, however, Altman spent all of his time getting these talented actors and actresses rounded up, and none of his time working on a script. Why, for instance, does he put the always fun Teri Garr in this film, and then forget about her character for two-thirds of the movie?
Maybe someday someone will make a really good expose of the fashion industry. This is not it.
It seems as though Altman couldn't decide whether to make a comedy or a serious behind the scenes look at the fashion industry. So he ended up doing neither. There are very few laughs here. (None, in fact, is a pretty good estimate of the number). And the characters are so cartoonish, especially the way over the top gay fashion designers, that it couldn't possibly have anything serious to say about the real fashion industry.
Yes, there is a very, very good cast here. I think, however, Altman spent all of his time getting these talented actors and actresses rounded up, and none of his time working on a script. Why, for instance, does he put the always fun Teri Garr in this film, and then forget about her character for two-thirds of the movie?
Maybe someday someone will make a really good expose of the fashion industry. This is not it.