63
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 83Original-CinJim SlotekOriginal-CinJim SlotekYou can’t come away from Love, Cecil without appreciating how much of Beaton's aesthetic outlived him.
- 75Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreVreeland’s film, wallowing in the Beaton vision of beauty via his images, his art and his screen work, does a marvelous service in reclaiming this dandy’s dandy/designer’s designer and iconic photographer from obscurity.
- 75Film Journal InternationalDavid NohFilm Journal InternationalDavid NohYou come away from the film feeling that Cecil Beaton represented the very essence of the fashion business, which continues to celebrate, be inspired by and imitate his huge legacy: absolutely exquisite and impeccable on the surface, often hiding a much darker and uglier reality.
- 75Film ThreatFilm ThreatThe film itself acts as a diary-scrapbook of sorts, an abbreviated anthology of Beaton’s greatest artistic hits and the romantic vision that conceived them.
- 70The New York TimesGlenn KennyThe New York TimesGlenn KennyThe quirks of Beaton’s personality — his cultivation of enemies and frustrated romanticism, among them — are finally not as interesting as his work.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterStephen FarberThe Hollywood ReporterStephen FarberVreeland’s willingness to include painful as well as flattering details is what gives Love, Cecil its punch.
- 60Village VoiceAbbey BenderVillage VoiceAbbey BenderEven though it paints too rosy a picture, Love, Cecil fills out history with sparkling imagery.
- 60The GuardianPeter BradshawThe GuardianPeter BradshawThe film is intelligent, thorough and sympathetic, with Rupert Everett narrating Beaton’s diaries. But it never quite persuades you that Beaton really deserves to be considered a substantial artist.
- 50Slant MagazineSlant MagazineLisa Immordino Vreeland's avoidance of a serious analytical bent ends up stifling the documentary.
- 40Time OutPhil de SemlyenTime OutPhil de SemlyenFor a man so singular, the film’s chronological approach feels conventional and there’s little of the spark or fantasy he infused into his work in evidence.