ReelBob: ‘McQueen’ ★★★

By Bob Bloom

I know nothing of fashion — anyone who sees the way I dress can tell you that.

A pair of jeans and a T-shirt are my height of comfort.

So, I was relieved to discover that “McQueen” was a very personal look at the designer’s personal life rather than his creations.

“McQueen” is not an easy movie to watch, because its subject was a complicated individual — a sad man, beset by inner demons.

The movie is mostly told through tapes made by Lee Alexander McQueen, interviews with family and friends, and recollections from people who worked with him.

To those closest to him, McQueen was Lee. To the world of fashion, he was Alexander McQueen, an artistic visionary who designed outrageous and provocative ensembles that made statements about the world around him.

McQueen simply fell into fashion, beginning as an intern at a tailor company. He soon learned he had a knack for design and originality.

He took his future in his own hands and began creating — his clothes quickly drawing the attention of the industry.

The movie follows the rise and eventual decline of McQueen, who, according to friends, was more interested in the work and its challenges than the fame and riches it would eventually bring him.

“McQueen” delves into its subject’s internal conflicts and how he used his darker urges as a creative motivator.

The vast majority of people who worked for McQueen admitted that he was demanding, yet fondly looked back on the times they worked — and played — with him.

Ironically, McQueen’s decline began when he became famous and started earning millions of dollars. That caused him to put more pressure on himself, leading to health issues and a flirtation with cocaine.

The documentary showcases McQueen’s humanity as well as the beauty of his work, which was very flamboyant.

You see the styles worn by his models as they walk the runway and ask yourself, “Who would wear these designs in public?”

The beauty and originality expressed in his garments, though, is undeniable. At times, you look at his models as human canvases, displaying works of art.

McQueen’s work is exhilarating when compared to his person life, which was filled with much despair. He and his sister were sexually abused by a relative, and McQueen’s father did not understand his obsession with fashion.

McQueen’s mother was his rock, always offering encouragement. Her death was his death — he took his own life the night before her funeral.

“McQueen,” despite the several bleak moments of its subject’s life, is not really a sorrowful movie.

It’s not so much a cautionary tale, but more a celebration of an individual who walked his own path without veering nor heeding others.

Like me, you may be ignorant of couture, but “McQueen” allows you to appreciate the man’s singular vision to make the world a more colorful and vibrant place.

I am a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

MCQUEEN
3 stars out of 4
Not rated, language, brief nudity