Dir: Thomas Napper | Cast: Haley Bennett, Tom Sturridge, Sam Riley and Ben Miles.
Raise a glass to this English language biopic about a resolutely French wine and its female vintner in the male-dominated wine industry of the 19th century.
Family politics and female empowerment are at the heart of Thomas Napper’s lavishly styled biopic that sheds light on the storied champagne dynasty of Veuve Clicquot. For father-in-law Philippe (Ben Miles) it’s strictly business but for his emotionally unstable son sensitivity and craftsmanship are key: Francois (Tom Sturridge) sings to the grapes while in the distance Napoleon Bonaparte is suffering a crushing defeat. The film brings to mind Gilles Legrand’s 2011 outing You Will Be My Son where Niels Arestrup heads up a prestigious vineyard in St Emilion with his son. But this time the key figure is a woman.
Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot could never be described as bubbly but she certainly takes control of the budding wine business the couple had steered forward, after Francois’ sudden death. Amid turbulent political change and financial crisis Barbe-Nicole fights off competition from competitors Moet revolutionising the world of champagne with an ingenious trade link with broker Louis Bohne (Sam Riley), taking the iconic brand and its special vintage ‘comet’ to fizzing heights as one of the world’s first successful businesswomen.
Haley Bennett is a modest but serious presence in the lead role of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot. Navigating the stormy waters of her husband’s laudanum addiction Bennett resolutely powers forward but never really sets the night on fire as the determined female figurehead. So although Widow Clicquot is a rather sombre in its direction and storytelling Barbe-Nicole’s love affair with Francois is certainly convincing exuding a simmering chemistry as they romp in candlelit flashbacks between the sheets in a lightly sparkling affair. @MeredithTaylor
In UK cinemas from 23 August | Released in cinemas on Friday 30th August