Customer Reviews

Lagerfeld Confidential

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Creatively, if Karl L. is a 10, the director of this movie is a minus 0.
First, the hand-held camera work is the worst in the history of cinema (it makes your head spin and your stomach turn); the use of Baroque background music is in the style of the most banal French television documentary; 25% of the film is wasted on ocean views, sky views, city views, views through a car windshield, and there is even a long long take of an open window with no-one there (the top of KL's head bobs up once or twice; the narrator's questions to KL are usually so superficial and idiotic that even KL criticizes them on film; the narrator is clearly embarrassed by homosexuality and KL is clearly irritated by the generally bourgeois frame of mind of the interviewer (AND it is distinctly the bourgeois that KL hates above all, as witnessed during the few insightful moments of this film). KL comes off as a determined, confident, gifted guy, and with a disarming sense of humor and humanity. Ultimately, one feels, there is something in ordinary human life, and in people, that fills him with absolute dread and revulsion. This is interesting and doesn't get enough treatment, though KL is very happy to talk about it at length. One strength of the film, and probably unconscious on the part of the director, is that the world KL moves through has a great ordinariness and deadness about it: essentially unappealing decors of his homes; settings for his fashion shows that feel like a hip nightclub around closing time, when everything is dirty, tired, spent, and smelling of stale liquor. Essentially, KL's world is not glamorous, and he is honest enough to admit to it. It's an existence that has most appeal in the photograph of it, edited and digitally corrected to the max. In short, it's a tough, creative, determined existence, resulting in an extreme accomplishment, but dead somewhere at an essential core. Another plus of the film is, that KL comes across as honest, smart, with a clear personal philosophy, a wonderful sense of humor, and a ready laugh. He'd be a fascinating guy to know, warm, fun, completely unconventional, and brutally honest. Finally, this film is a huge failure: the director just cannot even approach the fascinating reality of KL. A great opportunity missed, because KL is honest and isn't afraid to talk about himself meaningfully. But, in the last analysis, he lacks something. Something that, for instance, St. Laurent had -- as an artist and as a person -- that is of a greatly superior dimension, one that is fundamentally estranged from the person KL is.

This documentary was like time travelling back in time to ask DaVinci how to boil water.

The filmmaker had one on one access to Lagerfeld and followed him for an extended amount of time. It was like a fan asking a favorite star all sorts of questions for their personal benefit. The rest of us were just SOL. Lagerfeld is an icon in the fashion world and we didn't get much perspective on it. There was a throwaway line about a 30 year relationship that was ended - though there was no explanation given.

Lagerfeld spend more time talking about his night pillow than his business or achievements.

If you are a fashion fan - just rent it - just don't expect a lot of insight.

I guess the hard core "School of Parsons" folks will get more out of than the "amateur" fashion fans.

Lagerfeld Confidential is an interesting look at Karl Lagerfeld. If you want a glimpse into the man behind Chanel, and his own line, this documentary will provide one. See him designing, photographing Chanel ads, walking the catwalk at the end of his shows. Watch him pack for a trip, see racks upon racks of his clothing, and try to count all the books and magazines stacked around his desk!

If you are looking for insight into what it takes to become a designer, or how a designer goes about creating a collection, you will not find it here. Much of the documentary is in French, with subtitles, so be prepared to watch and read (unless you speak French) in order to get every word.

As a fan of fashion, I knew that this film would give me the insight I was looking for. This documentary is the first time Karl Lagerfeld allowed a director to follow his life. It unveils the influence this legendary desginer has on the fashion world. I truly recommend this title for ALL who are fans of all things fashion.

I always suspected that KL had an interesting point of view, but I didn't realise how *down to earth* & hysterically funny he is ... clearly not of the world of us ordinary mortels with our public transport and clothing bought off the rack ... however, in this documentary two things that struck me were that 1)he is kind to *ordinary* people and 2)presents a portrait of someone who considers himself simply *one of millions* who could die anytime and be forgotten in due course. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments as he is unbelievably dry ... it's worth a watch ... & the music is good too.

Karl Lagerfeld is wonderful and exquisite. This DVD gives you an inside look at who this man is, where he came from, and how he works. I felt like I was able to glimpse into his life and mind for a breif time. I am in love with this man!

Lagerfeld is one of the most interesting and eccentric individuals in the fashion world. This documentary, however, is subpar. The transitions are terrible and the background music is overly dramatic. If it weren't for Karl, this would get one star. If you like Lagerfeld or are interested, its worth it.

I am Karl Lagerfeld's biggest fan, always have been. This documentary is not about KL's achievements and career. If it is what you want then go to Wikipedia and you will get this in detail. Marconi only wanted to spend some time with KL so that we the public can get to know the 'man' himself, his ups&downs, likes&dislikes etc..and the documentary gives us exactly this. I loved when he talked about his mother and I love his philosophy on people and life and what he thinks about himself and his own accomplishments. He is a fascinating man and a brutally honest man. You have to at least like or admire Karl Lagerfeld to really appreciate this documentary.

No plot, no concrete idea, but merely a dvd on bits and pieces of Lagerfeld's luxurious life.
With his charisma, talent, wits and a substantial contribution to fashion, Lagerfeld definitely deserves a far better documentary.

Absolutely agree with review by Collector "Collector" but have to add: Why, oh why didn't the filmmaker ask Lagerfeld about the rings, the glasses and the collar? He hovered his camera on them, lingered on Lagerfeld's bowls and bags of bulky rings, even followed him into the MFA where Lagerfeld admired suits of armor and the filmmaker zoomed in on the armor fingers, indeed, very reminiscent of Lagerfeld's rings. So, not a single question? Instead the filmmaker minced around like a junior high school nerd on the "question" of the designer's sexual orientation? Terribly boring and tedious. Made this viewer feel like a slightly dirty voyeur - who nevertheless didn't get to see anything that gave much insight into the artist at all!