And now, in more news about our favorite future Oscar winner, Robert Pattinson is no longer slated to unlace Nicole Kidman’s corsets in “Bel Ami.” We previously announced the pairing, but The Hollywood Reporter shares that the corset lacings (and other assorted period accoutrement) will now belong to Uma Thurman. Pattinson will play George Duroy, a (supposedly) sexy social climber in turn-of-the-century Paris, while Thurman will play the wife of one of Duroy’s friends. Her character later marries Pattinson’s seductive schemer. THR also announces that Kristin Scott Thomas will appear in “Bel Ami” as a woman who overestimates Duroy’s attachment to her. Theater director Declan Donnellan is at the helm for the film that will shoot in the French capital. We hear that France loves loves loves “Twilight,” so we wish the “Bel Ami” crew luck in shooting around scores of swooning fans.
We took Pattinson to task for his “soulless” (his word, not ours) turn in our review of “New Moon,” and we’re not confident he can handle the material in this adaptation of a Guy de Maupassant story. If he’s playing a vacuous beauty, he might be believable, but then, that’s not really acting. Thurman is obviously a more accomplished actress who has appeared in a number of period films with varying degrees of success (“The Golden Bowl,” “Vatel,” “Dangerous Liasons”). However, her last two films — “The Accidental Husband” and “Motherhood” — have been the caps on a string of movies that haven’t impressed filmgoers or critics. We’re pleased she’s moving away from comedy — aside from “Ceremony” which she seems perfect for — but this still seems like it will be laughable.
Meanwhile, we’re still hoping for a return to a certain yellow jumpsuit for Ms. Thurman. Pretty please?