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Valentino: The Last Emperor

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 22 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 4 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Documentary
Written by:
Directed by: Matt Tyrnauer
Release Date:
Theatrical: March 18, 2009
Running Time: 96 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Language(s): English | Italian | French
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Giorgio Armani, Jeannie Becker, Alessandra Facchinetti, Tom Ford, Giancarlo Giammetti, Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer, and Valentino
Valentino: The Last Emperor, directed by Matt Tyrnauer, is a feature-length movie that takes the viewer inside the singular world of one of Italy’s most famous designers, Valentino Garavani. The film documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of Valentino’s celebrated career, capturing the end of an era in global fashion. But at the heart of the film is a love story: the unique relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti. (42 West)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
Film music by Nino Rota provides a Fellini overlay.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Wesley Morris
The decadence is obvious. But true to the Valentino prerogative, it's beautiful - sad, too: a dream life moving into the unknown.
Read Full Review >Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy
You wouldn't necessarily want to be Valentino, but this sprightly film may make you nostalgic for a life you've never lived.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Andrea Gronvall
Part celebrity dish, part business journalism, this illuminating 2008 documentary about the legendary Italian designer Valentino Garavani spans the tumultuous final two years of his decades-long reign as one of the most successful innovators in the fashion industry.
Read Full Review >Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
Seldom has a film explored such exotica as Valentino's world -- the gowns, the galas, the villas, the private jets -- with such a sense of momentous drama behind the glitz.
Read Full Review >Miami Herald Marta Barber
Among the invited guests are Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts. Only one fellow designer is present: Karl Lagerfeld, the German designer settled in Paris.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Sylvia Rubin
At its heart, the film is about the intense connection between Valentino and his business partner of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti, the brains behind the branding.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
A documentary with privileged access to the legendary designer in his studio, workshop, backstage, his homes, even aboard his yacht and private jet.
Read Full Review >Variety Alissa Simon
What adds heart, and humor, is the interplay between the legendary couturier and Giancarlo Giammetti, his longtime partner in business and life.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray
From Valentino Garavani's imperious carriage and diva fits to his coterie of tiny dogs, the subject of Tyrnauer's doc comes off like a fictional character, scripted by a writer with a weakness for cliché.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
Ultimately, the film feels as glitzy and superficial as the fashion industry itself, a bauble in full regalia, and it’s likely your interest in the documentary will depend largely on your prior interest in the subject matter.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer
This love letter to Valentino from director Matt Tyrnauer seems intended for the already smitten.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips
The filmmaker's access was impressive, the results moderately entertaining.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
Lively and affectionate, Matt Tyrnauer's documentary is made for those who believe, as he does, that the work of fashion designer Valentino is worthy of the most respectful chronicle.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Stephen Holden
Watching the movie is a little like gorging on chocolate and Champagne until that queasy moment arrives when you realize you’ve consumed far too much.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey
Superficial but giddily entertaining backstage documentary.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Melissa Anderson
Dedicated follower of fashion Matt Tyrnauer crafts the slick, superficial portrait that you might expect from a Vanity Fair special correspondent.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
