Bel Ami

The performances are incredibly hammy; the worst culprit being Pattinson whose turn is not only weak, but incredibly irritating to boot.

Nothing more than insufficiently directed codswallop in delectable costumes, with a starry cast who are worthy of much, much better.

Bel Ami could have been well-dressed, saucy escapism but as far as costume dramas go, it's big on costumes and woefully short on drama.

Unfortunately the rather ludicrous camp characteristics of the story, such as Uma Thurman rolling around on Egyptian cotton sheets shouting "Look at the grain exports to Algiers!" are never fully recognised...

"Bel Ami" ends up being a film that feels cold and distant because of the stale lead and a story that makes no room for the affection between any of the couples.