Review of McQueen (2018) by Alan W — 10 Oct 2018

Charting the life and career of British designer Lee Alexander McQueen from his humble beginning as an East End 'yob' to a trainee on Saville Row and then bursting onto the fashion scene as one of the youngest and most innovative fashion designer/artist in the last few decades, this documentary stitches together home video footage with interviews of his friends and family to present a life that appears to have burnt most ambitiously and brightly.

Perhaps it is because I only have a basic knowledge of McQueen, I find the revelations and insights most intriguing, even though I'll admit his story might be considered a tad clichéd if it has been made up, nevertheless the film turns out to be much more dramatic and engaging than I had expected.

The most surprising thing I discovered is how impressive his extraordinary fashion shows were and that they were as much about the clothes as it is about mounting an extraordinary art installation that sashays dangerously and elegantly down a catwalk.

Recording and reflecting McQueen's work, Ian Bonhote & Peter Ettedgui's biographical film is likewise similarly gorgeous, daring, and poignant.