The Chaperone

A well-paced and excellent adaptation of the Laura Moriarty novel. The film captures the symmetry between the differences in 1920's Kansas and NYC, as well as the differences between the two main characters, Norma and Louise. Both highly intelligent, Norma is a reflection of the still-Victorian culture of 1922 Kansas while Louise has a near-feral need to burst out of the culture's restrictions. The journey to NYC results in both learning valuable life lessons.

Norma, the title character, is the central point of the film. While Louise becomes the famous one, this movie is not her biography. Her role is one that feeds the Norma character and propels her through the story. Prohibition, post-WWI dynamics and the tossed salad of the 1920's NYC atmosphere provide a fascinating historic framework.

While not for everyone, I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in 20th century US history, and good film making in general.

A married woman, Norma, in the 30s decides to chaperone a young girl, Louise, from Wichita to New York so she can try out for a prestigious dance class. Norma has her own reasons for making the voyage, to learn about her personal heritage but why? There are many situations and talking points that address a traditional small town way of life vs a more free-spirited big city excitement. Especially, while Norma has to play the role of mother to Louise during their excursion. Both woman's character arcs are easily noticeable as they depart the small town for the big city and how both handle the more freeing environment differently. Solid acting, nice period piece sets and costumes. Satiates an appetite for this genre nicely.

Saw this last night at the Orpheum in Sydney, Australia, and Ms McGovern (SO THIN!) was there to introduce it! It's a great film about an out-of-left-field topic. Witty, funny and Haley Lu Richards, (Who?) is a major find, perfect in the part. As is Ms McGovern, indeed it is perfectly cast in every part, even the smallest role looks like they belong in the time and place To all the Miranda Otto fans, sorry, she is onscreen for all of 2 minutes, and Blythe Danner for even less, but they add immensely to the texture of the film. This is a film without a message,(well, maybe 'don't wear corsets') with a minor story, and great costumes and it all adds up to WONDERFUL.

The story takes place when the teenage Louise Brooks (Haley Lu Richardson) leaves Wichita for New York City. She has been accepted to a major dancing academy and has no doubt that she'll be asked to join their dancing troupe. She is, as required at the time, accompanied by a chaperone, Norma Carlisle (Elizabeth McGovern). The spirited Louise and the proper Norma seem to have little in common other than wanting to be in New York City. But we soon learn that there is more to Norma than meets the eye. A couple of surprises explain Norma's earlier behavior in her interactions with her husband (Campbell Scott) as well as her later behavior as the story progresses. McGovern and Richardson share most of the screen time along with some brief appearances by Amanda Otto, Blythe Danner and Géza Röhrig. I continue to be impressed with Richardson who came to my attention, in 2016, in Split and The Edge Of Seventeen.

Elizabeth McGovern is the reason to see this. She brings to life what, in other hands, could be a cliched character. She has become a much more interesting actress as she's aged; you can't take your eyes off her (those eyes!). The Louise Brooks subplot serves its purpose but seems a bit strained. Blythe Danner, Miranda Otto, Campbell Scott and other familiar names essay their supporting roles well, and the period is recreated nicely. Overall, very entertaining and not nearly as predictable as you would think.