7.4
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Drama, History • 2018 • 112 min • Adults (18+)
Colette (2018)
Colette (2018)
Overview
Colette follows the real life of French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who ghostwrites a blockbuster series for her husband Willy and eventually fights to reclaim credit for her own work. Directed by Wash Westmoreland and starring Keira Knightley, the film sits firmly in Progressive territory for several overlapping reasons. It frames Colette's story as a fight against patriarchal exploitation of women's creative labor. Her bisexuality and relationships with women are treated as central to her identity, not incidental. Her marriage opens into something far outside conventional domestic arrangements, and the film presents that as liberation rather than scandal. The historical setting gives the story some distance, but the values driving it are recognizably contemporary.
Starring Cast
Keira Knightley • Fiona Shaw • Dominic West
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Family Values: Strongly Progressive
Viewer Rating
7.4
Overview
Colette follows the real life of French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who ghostwrites a blockbuster series for her husband Willy and eventually fights to reclaim credit for her own work. Directed by Wash Westmoreland and starring Keira Knightley, the film sits firmly in Progressive territory for several overlapping reasons. It frames Colette's story as a fight against patriarchal exploitation of women's creative labor. Her bisexuality and relationships with women are treated as central to her identity, not incidental. Her marriage opens into something far outside conventional domestic arrangements, and the film presents that as liberation rather than scandal. The historical setting gives the story some distance, but the values driving it are recognizably contemporary.
Starring Cast
Keira Knightley • Fiona Shaw • Dominic West
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Progressive
Primary
Political: Strong Left
Confidence: High
The film explicitly champions female empowerment and autonomy, depicting a woman's struggle to reclaim her artistic voice and personal identity from patriarchal exploitation. It celebrates sexual liberation and challenges traditional gender norms, aligning with progressive ideals of self-determination.
Diversity: Moderate
Confidence: High
The film features traditional casting that aligns with its historical setting. The narrative explores themes of female authorship and societal constraints in early 20th-century France, offering a subtle critique of patriarchal norms without explicitly framing traditional identities negatively.
Secondary
LGBTQ: Positive
Confidence: High
The film "Colette" portrays the titular author's bisexuality and relationships with women as central to her life and identity. It depicts Colette with dignity and complexity, showcasing her defiance of societal norms and her journey of self-discovery. The narrative respectfully explores her queer relationships, affirming her agency and the significance of her unconventional life.
Family Values: Strongly Progressive
Confidence: High
The film portrays an unconventional marriage that evolves into an open relationship, critiques traditional gender roles, and normalizes sexual freedom as the protagonist seeks personal and artistic liberation.
Trans: N/A
Confidence: Medium
The film 'Colette' does not feature identifiable transsexual characters or themes. The narrative focuses on the life of French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, exploring her struggles for artistic recognition, personal freedom, and her relationships. While the story delves into gender expression and sexuality, these elements are presented within a cisgender context of the early 20th century, without explicit transsexual depictions.
Female Combat: N/R
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High
The biographical film Colette portrays historical figures consistent with their documented genders. No characters established as one gender in real-world history are depicted as a different gender on screen.
Race Swap: No
Confidence: High
The biographical film Colette portrays real historical figures. The on-screen portrayals of these characters align with their documented historical race. No instances of a character established as one race being depicted as a different race are present.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.7
6.9
Critic Ratings
8.8
7.4
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