The Chaperone

The Chaperone definitely didn't feel as roaring as they say about the 1920s, so it's safe to say you don't need to bring one yourself.

The film has its pleasures, but nothing too wild actually happens. Which is interesting, since the story is actually about Louise Brooks (Haley Lu Richardson), an actress best known for some provocative silent films and her free-spirited life who was living her life way ahead of time. The other main character who goes through a life changing experience is Norma Carlisle (Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern), Brooks' chaperone.

We meet Norma in Wichita, Kansas, in 1922, where she and her husband Alan (Campbell Scott) are attending an evening of dance to benefit the Children's Home. The star of that event is young Louise, who charmingly glides over the floor in her white robes and captivates Norma within seconds. When she overhears Louise's mother talk about needing a chaperone to accompany Louise to classes given in New York by the biggest company in modern dance, run by Ted Shawn (Robert Fairchild) and Ruth St. Denis (Miranda Otto), she impulsively volunteers for the job.

Soon we'll realise that Norma's marriage is not in an ideal state. But that's not the main reason for the trip: she arrived in Kansas on an orphan train from NYC, and she hopes to find more information about her birth parents in the metropolis. On the other hand, young Louise is only interested in her future and her dreams of becoming the best dancer on the planet. She doesn't believe in rules and isn't afraid to break them, but being a teenager she doesn't have another choice than to bring an adult with her on this voyage.

Early on in the story, it becomes obvious that Louise is a magnet to men of all ages, she can convince them to do anything for her, but also doesn't realise how this makes her look to the world surrounding her. Norma's quote about "men not liking candy that has been unwrapped" will get a much deeper meaning further along in the story. Once arrived in New York, each of them embark on a self-discovering journey that will change their lives forever.

Both writer and director (Julian Fellowes and Michael Engler respectively) worked on the Emmy-winning tv-series Downton Abbey and its forthcoming feature film. The entire idea for the film was pitched by producer and star of the film McGovern, who came across the novel the film is adapted from. It was also great to see Géza Röhrig playing a key role in the story, after seeing his work in Academy Award-winning feature Son of Saul.

Everything is pretty much by the book, but it's wonderful to see two women in different stages of their lives, changing the course of events and by doing so, changing the world around them how big or small that world may be.

Saw this last night at the Orpheum in Sydney, Australia, and Ms McGovern (SO THIN!) was there to introduce it! It's a great film about an out-of-left-field topic. Witty, funny and Haley Lu Richards, (Who?) is a major find, perfect in the part. As is Ms McGovern, indeed it is perfectly cast in every part, even the smallest role looks like they belong in the time and place To all the Miranda Otto fans, sorry, she is onscreen for all of 2 minutes, and Blythe Danner for even less, but they add immensely to the texture of the film. This is a film without a message,(well, maybe 'don't wear corsets') with a minor story, and great costumes and it all adds up to WONDERFUL.

Elizabeth McGovern is the reason to see this. She brings to life what, in other hands, could be a cliched character. She has become a much more interesting actress as she's aged; you can't take your eyes off her (those eyes!). The Louise Brooks subplot serves its purpose but seems a bit strained. Blythe Danner, Miranda Otto, Campbell Scott and other familiar names essay their supporting roles well, and the period is recreated nicely. Overall, very entertaining and not nearly as predictable as you would think.

The story takes place when the teenage Louise Brooks (Haley Lu Richardson) leaves Wichita for New York City. She has been accepted to a major dancing academy and has no doubt that she'll be asked to join their dancing troupe. She is, as required at the time, accompanied by a chaperone, Norma Carlisle (Elizabeth McGovern). The spirited Louise and the proper Norma seem to have little in common other than wanting to be in New York City. But we soon learn that there is more to Norma than meets the eye. A couple of surprises explain Norma's earlier behavior in her interactions with her husband (Campbell Scott) as well as her later behavior as the story progresses. McGovern and Richardson share most of the screen time along with some brief appearances by Amanda Otto, Blythe Danner and Géza Röhrig. I continue to be impressed with Richardson who came to my attention, in 2016, in Split and The Edge Of Seventeen.

It is significant that the title is "The Chaperone" and not "The Dancer."

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. Before I saw the movie I had no idea who Louise Brooks was. From Kansas and in 1922 at the age of 15 she, along with a chaperone, went to NYC to try out for a dance troupe. While her life was a rocky road she indeed did go on to dance and star in a number of silent movies in the 1920s and 1930s.

While her memoirs did mention a chaperone to New York nothing is known of her, so for this movie one is created, Elizabeth McGovern as Norma, and much of the story focuses on her, her life back home, her experiences in New York trying to find out where she came from because she was adopted as an orphan.

Haley Lu Richardson, who really is an accomplished dancer, is in the role of Louise Brooks, with he bob black haircut looking pretty much like Louise did back then.

This is a good movie, very well made with interesting stories.