Synopsis: A chronicle of a young man’s rise to power in Paris via his manipulation of the city’s most influential and wealthy women.

Release Date: itunes – May 4, 2012 // in theaters – June 8, 2012

Thoughts:  Robert Pattinson so desperately wants to break out of the Twilight shadow and I’m wondering if he might not be in a tad over his head here.  The films he has made outside of the vampire saga have all been dramatic and heavy pieces and it looks to be no different here.  What I think would help Pattinson out better is for him to look for a romantic comedy to, um, sink his teeth into.  While the film itself looks polished and posh, he is surrounded by actors who will make a meal out of him in the scenery chewing departments.  Uma Thurman started off in period drama ala Dangerous Liaisons and it’s nice to see her back on screen playing though her voice seems to be going the Annette Bening husky route.  Kristen Scott Thomas (so good in the recent Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) returns to drama with what looks to be a strong dramatic turn.  Pairing Pattinson with Christina Ricci is a gamble…Ricci is a strong actress with the right co-star but she can quickly turn whiny at the drop of a hat.  I don’t know about you but I’m a little starved for a good period drama with a wicked edge so Bel Ami on the whole hold some interest for me.  Whether Pattinson acquits himself here is yet to be determined but here’s hoping he continues to stretch outside of his comfort zone.