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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Valentino: The Last Emperor

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Valentino: The Last Emperor reviews
68
7.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 22 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 4 votes
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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)

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...

91

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

Film music by Nino Rota provides a Fellini overlay.

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88

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.

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83

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.

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80

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.

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80

The Hollywood Reporter Natasha Senjanovic

Entertaining and even poignant.

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80

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

Unexpectedly involving documentary.

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80

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.

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75

New York Post V.A. Musetto

Filled with affecting moments.

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75

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.

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75

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.

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75

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.

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75

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

Light, engaging documentary.

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75

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Joe Williams

Unexpectedly poignant.

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70

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.

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67

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.

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67

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.

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67

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

This love letter to Valentino from director Matt Tyrnauer seems intended for the already smitten.

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63

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

The filmmaker's access was impressive, the results moderately entertaining.

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60

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.

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50

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.

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50

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

Superficial but giddily entertaining backstage documentary.

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40

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.

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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.

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