I apologize in advance if leaving a comment on an article over a year old comes across as gauche... but having now read this a second time, I really do want to state how incredibly written this piece is. Your insights on the overlaps between depictions of sexual assault in film and anachronisms in period costumes are genuinely insightful in and of themselves. But you also weave both subjects together so intrinsically and effortlessly. There is a very nice 'flow' in your writing (for lack of a better term). I love the "glory work" line! And I greatly appreciate the link to Anna Biller's blog post about I Spit on your Grave.
I'm rather ignorant about period films in general; it's not a genre I have a good foothold in. You clearly have an eye for the finer details in period costuming that I sorely lack (which is part of the reason why I enjoyed reading this article).
Having said that, Autumn de Wilde's 2020 adaptation of Emma was a movie where even I noticed and greatly enjoyed the costume designs. Now that I think about it, Wes Anderson's last few theatrical movies (specifically The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, and Asteroid City) also stand out, no doubt the result of Anderson's idiosyncratic style. I also enjoyed the costumes in Ti West's Pearl.
I feel that my appreciation for period costumes (not to mention which films I picked) might come off as a bit superficial. Particularly to someone as knowledgeable about the subject like yourself. But that is also why I'd love to hear your take about the quality of the costuming in those films!
It is not gauche at all to leave a comment and I so appreciate your careful thoughts and your kind words! I am always trying to learn more about costuming and period clothing and I’m glad my enthusiasm for this subject came off.
I adore the styling in Emma, and I think it’s willingness to do things that look a little odd and even unflattering to us (the tiny curled bangs for example) is what makes that movie appealing. It’s been a while since I watched it but Karolina Żebrowska has a great video essay about those costumes.
I generally like the costuming in Wes Anderson movies even though I’m not always crazy about his movies— it’s been a while since I’ve seen Budapest but the purple uniform is unforgettable. And I really like the costumes in both Pearl and X—the line-up outside the rehearsal where you see Pearl dressed so differently from the other girls is such an efficient way to show how costuming matters! It helps that Mia Goth has such a great any-century face—she can really pull off period dress.
I feel like the obvious excellently costumed plus playing with anachronisim combo is Sofia Coppola's Marie Antionette. Especially with all the behind the scenes content of the cast doing VERY 00s things in full flawless period costume literally in Versailles.
I also LOVE period costumes and historical details don't bother me so much. Like I know the Little Women Uggs thing. But when I see that movie I see how they used the color to match the books the girls get for Christmas or Jo wearing Laurie's hand me downs.
Even though seeing like Gentleman Jack just FULLY commit is also a delight.
I apologize in advance if leaving a comment on an article over a year old comes across as gauche... but having now read this a second time, I really do want to state how incredibly written this piece is. Your insights on the overlaps between depictions of sexual assault in film and anachronisms in period costumes are genuinely insightful in and of themselves. But you also weave both subjects together so intrinsically and effortlessly. There is a very nice 'flow' in your writing (for lack of a better term). I love the "glory work" line! And I greatly appreciate the link to Anna Biller's blog post about I Spit on your Grave.
I'm rather ignorant about period films in general; it's not a genre I have a good foothold in. You clearly have an eye for the finer details in period costuming that I sorely lack (which is part of the reason why I enjoyed reading this article).
Having said that, Autumn de Wilde's 2020 adaptation of Emma was a movie where even I noticed and greatly enjoyed the costume designs. Now that I think about it, Wes Anderson's last few theatrical movies (specifically The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, and Asteroid City) also stand out, no doubt the result of Anderson's idiosyncratic style. I also enjoyed the costumes in Ti West's Pearl.
I feel that my appreciation for period costumes (not to mention which films I picked) might come off as a bit superficial. Particularly to someone as knowledgeable about the subject like yourself. But that is also why I'd love to hear your take about the quality of the costuming in those films!
It is not gauche at all to leave a comment and I so appreciate your careful thoughts and your kind words! I am always trying to learn more about costuming and period clothing and I’m glad my enthusiasm for this subject came off.
I adore the styling in Emma, and I think it’s willingness to do things that look a little odd and even unflattering to us (the tiny curled bangs for example) is what makes that movie appealing. It’s been a while since I watched it but Karolina Żebrowska has a great video essay about those costumes.
I generally like the costuming in Wes Anderson movies even though I’m not always crazy about his movies— it’s been a while since I’ve seen Budapest but the purple uniform is unforgettable. And I really like the costumes in both Pearl and X—the line-up outside the rehearsal where you see Pearl dressed so differently from the other girls is such an efficient way to show how costuming matters! It helps that Mia Goth has such a great any-century face—she can really pull off period dress.
I feel like the obvious excellently costumed plus playing with anachronisim combo is Sofia Coppola's Marie Antionette. Especially with all the behind the scenes content of the cast doing VERY 00s things in full flawless period costume literally in Versailles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcpqaRqVWIA
I also LOVE period costumes and historical details don't bother me so much. Like I know the Little Women Uggs thing. But when I see that movie I see how they used the color to match the books the girls get for Christmas or Jo wearing Laurie's hand me downs.
Even though seeing like Gentleman Jack just FULLY commit is also a delight.
I don’t think I’ve seen that Cribs video before! Thank you for sharing.