The New Look

Sumptuous exploration of Vichy Paris and the designers who inhabited it. I've known all my adult life that Coco Channel was a Nazi collaborator, but I did not know the story about Christian Dior, his sister in the resistance, or her time at a work camp. This all set during the Nazi's occupation, and final retreat from France, is produced so well, with such an excellent top tier cast, top tier directing, set design, writing, pace, just about everything about this show is excellent I'm very surprised to see it not doing better in the user reviews and ratings. In an era of reality TV drivel, this quality show is so needed.

Ben Mendelssohn and Juliette Binoche give fine believable performances in this series. As does Maisie Williams as Catherine the sister of Christian Dior. Maisie, is of course incredibly well-known from Game of Thrones. In this role she was so believable and her performance so subtle that initially I did not realise who the actress was and had assumed she was a young French actress chosen for the role. The production quality is impeccable with especially sumptuous locations. The serious is almost worth watching for that reason alone. But unfortunately this is all rather badly let down by a light treatment that too often lacks any convincing emotional intensity. As such it belongs more in the realm of escapism than the serious drama the (based on a true life) story of intense courage and love truly deserves.

Generally we get the fashion side of the minds of designers. This time we are transported to the major events in Christian Dior's life.

Acting is spot on and so is the cinematography.

Authentic feel for the resistance and Nazis as they are portrayed in a more subtle realistic way.

Bonus is Coco Chanel's big haunt. Juliette Binoche embed her so well. Kudos to her.

Ben Mendelsohn's acting is perfect and felt.

Costumes and sets historically correct.

Lighting was done in a way you feel the period.

Cinematography utilizes old and new techniques to keep you interested.

Writing keeps you engaged.

Glad this was produced with care.

The New Look is worth watching based on the acting performances alone-Ben Mendelsohn, Juliette Binoche, Malkovich and Maisie Williams who since GoT has turned in multiple big performances. My complaint is the historical inaccuracy involving the Coco Chanel character and storyline which is nearly half the script. It shouldn't matter because Hollywood scripts aren't meant to be documentaries. But when the truth is more interesting than what the scriptwriters put to page why make the change? For some reason they make her conflicted and being pulled in by the Germans. In reality she was a full fledged sympathizer and shared their views decades before they marched into Paris. She was directed involved in using German Laws to attempt and seize the business from her partners. As some have said, instead they whitewashed and girl bossed her. The C. Dior storyline is much more historically accurate and entertaining. But for some reason they didn't feel the need to meddle as much with his biography.

I don't understand the negative reviews-this series is riveting. Ben Mendelson is amazing as always. I didn't know about this piece of history and it makes for some edge of your seat viewing.

The rest of the cast is great as well, especially Juliette Binoche and John Malkovich. I've never seen Juliette Binoche play a villain before, and her character is genuinely menacing. It's also refreshing to see John Malkovich play a kind hearted person.

Anyone complaining about the accents is not focusing on the story itself, which is powerful, especially as it is based in truth. I give it a solid 9/10, drama for adults.