Watch Ready to Wear
- R
- 1994
- 2 hr 13 min
-
5.2 (16,044)
Ready to Wear is a star-studded comedy-drama film from Robert Altman, released in 1994. The story is set in the glamorous world of fashion, taking place during Paris Fashion Week, and follows various characters impacted by the industry. The ensemble cast includes renowned actresses Sophia Loren and Julia Roberts, as well as actor Marcello Mastroianni, who make up just a few of the fashion insiders, designers, models, and journalists portrayed. The film also features cameos from many famous fashion icons, including supermodels Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington.
The plot revolves around the sudden death of a top fashion designer, who leaves behind a hinterland of intrigue involving his partner, a supposed mistress, and the launch of his newest collection. This event drives the narrative forward and sets the stage for the many player's stories to unfold.
One of the lead characters is Isabella de la Fontaine (Sophia Loren), a dignified businesswoman who is also the wife of the deceased designer. She takes control of his fashion house and must navigate the chaos of fashion week, producing a runway show on short notice, and keeping her relationship with the press amicable.
Julia Roberts portrays journalist Anne Eisenhower, who arrives in Paris to cover the fashion shows for her network. She is assigned to interview a famous fashion photographer (Stephen Rea) but finds herself attracted to him, complicating her work and personal life.
Marcello Mastroianni plays Sergio, a flamboyant Italian hairstylist, who arrives in Paris to style the models' hair for various runway shows. A series of chance encounters and experiences reveal his tender side to the audience, but also the hardships of his profession.
The film's supporting characters include various players in the fashion industry, such as an aging model (Linda Hunt), a designer (Jean-Pierre Cassel), a gossip columnist (Kim Basinger), and a cosmetics executive (Forest Whitaker) who sponsors the fashion shows.
Ready to Wear is a satirical, adult-themed comedy-drama that presents a sharp critique of the fashion industry's excesses, often employing witty irony and sarcasm. Director Robert Altman, known for his unique perspectives on American culture, offers a refreshing look at this "glittering world" of high glitz and glamour.
Filmed on location during actual Fashion Week events, Ready to Wear features some of the world's most famous models, designers, and stylists in various capacities, adding to the film's authenticity. The narrative is structured and presented as a series of short scenes with interweaving storylines, adding to the frenzied feeling of Fashion Week.
Overall, Ready to Wear is a fun, behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry and features some of the most famous actors of the '90s. The film is entertaining and visually breathtaking, offering insight into a world that seems to exist in a universe of its own. So, the movie is worth watching for fashion enthusiasts and fans of Altman's signature style.
Ready to Wear is a 1994 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2 and a MetaScore of 48.