MCQUEEN – A Review by Cynthia Flores
Alexander McQueen was a brilliant young maverick London fashion designer who died way too soon. McQueen is a fitting documentary about a talented man and his rags-to-riches story.
Born Lee Alexander McQueen to a lower middle-class family in the suburbs, he was expected to become a mechanic or some other tradesman. Instead, at the urging of this mother at the age of 17, he applied and was accepted to be a tailor's apprentice at the famed Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard. From there, he worked for theatrical costumiers Angels and Bermans and a few other big houses. Young Lee had a burning desire to learn and with the help of his aunt, who paid for his tuition, he studied at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design earning his MA in fashion design. Because he started working so young, he was ahead of his class in many things and his brilliance stood out.
The film shows us how he got to the turning point that was his first fashion show. It was part of his graduating class project. Even then, his unique perspective on what fashion could be stole the show.
I really loved all the behind the scene videos and stories from the people closest to him that helped build the brand McQueen and worked with him when he was hired to take over the house of Givenchy. Also, the access to the remaining family members and footage of interviews Lee did himself throughout his career make this a very fleshed out documentary. This really comes into play when dealing with the fact that he killed himself at the height of his career.
The use of a skull with various motifs projected on to it is a witty way to tie together the different tapes or phases of this film. It also ties in the different visually boundary-breaking runway shows he was known for. The visceral, violent, often nightmarish visions he brought to the runways. The co-directors Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui did a great job pulling this all together. All of it with a moving score from Michael Nyman who was a favorite of Lee’s and often did the music to his mind-blowing runway shows.
Lee’s influence on fashion and celebrity culture was never more evident as shown by the record attendance to his postmortem art exhibit show called Savage Beauty. Eight years later, we remain fascinated with the man and his work in fashion – a testament to his lasting artistic contributions.
I think that is what I love most about this documentary, the artistry of Alexander McQueen is front and center in this wonderful film. If you’re a fashionista or a lover of art, then you will enjoy these insiders look at a talented artist. I give this documentary an A rating.
Directed by Ian Bonhote, Peter Ettedgui
Written By Peter Ettedgui
Rated R
Selig Rating A
Running Time 1hr 51min
Documentary/Biography
Limited Release August 3rd Angelika Film Center Dallas
Starring: Lee Alexander McQueen, Magdalena Frackowiak, Gary James McQueen, Janet McQueen, Dana Thomas
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
