Kevin Macdonald seems to have navigated a delicate path, centering a look back at the life of this puzzling and certainly imperfect person around an open interview with John Galliano. We trace his journey from graduating St. Martin's College in London up to his problematic time overseeing Haute Couture at Dior, experiencing a documentary that doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, all thanks to impressive archival material and honest perspectives from those who knew him well. As one person noted within the film, some of his designs prompted questions like "who is this for?" and "where will it be worn?", and that's part of what makes the story compelling. The connection between his more unusual high-fashion creations—particularly the Egyptian-inspired pieces even Elizabeth Taylor might find challenging—and the barely-there styles seen in everyday stores is always strange, indirect, and a little off-kilter. The film explores the man himself, but also the unpredictable nature of an industry that both encourages and penalizes with equal force. It quickly becomes apparent that Galliano developed dependencies on many things – from alcohol to drawing tools, or simply the rewarding attention that seemed to create a “Hyde” persona at times, separate from his initial “Jekyll.” The fact that he doesn’t seem to recall the incident in the Café de la Perle that led to his downfall highlights his lack of self-awareness and control by then. Pushing himself so hard would likely turn most people into a mess. Macdonald refrains from guiding viewers toward any particular judgment about this event or its consequences. Galliano has detractors and supporters, and we are given the facts available, along with predictions—and left to decide just how bad (or not) he was/is/might still be. It also offers an opportunity for self-reflection regarding forgiveness. There are moments of entertainment, and the visual record of his career and that of many contemporaries is essential viewing for anyone interested in the evolution and allure of this world.

Source on TMDB