“The New Look”

“The New Look” (Apple TV+) biographical drama, depicts Christian Dior in Paris after World War II when he created his fashion line that unofficially got named “New Look.” (A second season is in development.)

      The series also explores his (supposedly) professional and ideological antagonism with well-established fashion designer Coco Chanel. Plus work relations with then already known couturier Lucien Lelong. I didn't see any Christian antagonism with Coco though. Their stories are almost equally told and navigated in length; the series could have been titled “Christian and Coco.” 

       Christian's relationship with his sister Catherine, who was captured and “kept” by the Nazi for her involvement with the French Resistance–and Coco's widely-published compromises with the Vichy regime and fling with an SS officer--were focal point of the show, totally overshadowing the “fashion” part.

But I don't have complaints, whatsoever. The series was on the verge of slumbering at some point but the tight scripting and editing held the drama together. It was all war so don't expect the glamour that goes with Dior and Chanel. 

       The ensemble acting was exemplary. Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior is all contained pain, torturous loneliness; his art was his escape. Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel is Juliette Binoche as we knew her, as did John Malkovich as Lucien Lelong. 

       But the real revelation is Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior: The misery is all over her languid, yet persistent eyes; her “hysterics” are encapsulated in few words that cut through the marrow. Ms Williams has indeed gone a long way from her “Game of Thrones” days. 📺🎥📺