WIDOW CLICQUOT

UK, 2023, 90 minutes, Colour.

Haley Bennett, Tom Sturridge, Sam Riley, Ben Miles, Paul Rhys, Phoebe Nicholls, Cara Seymour, Nicholas Farrell.

Directed by Thomas Napper.

In case the “Clicquot” in the title did not immediately resonate, it would have been clearer had the filmmakers use the French for Widow, Veuve. And the champagne connection would have been made.

This is a comparatively brief film, 90 minutes. And, it is reminiscent of the style of previous decades BBC costume dramas, beautifully photographed,  performances with great dignity, serious and even ‘important ‘issues of the past. Something of the stately treatment.

This may well appeal to an older audience, interested in the past, wondering about the origin of the champagne and who the widow was. Audiences who like the drama to get on with it may at times be very impatient.

Audiences like this reviewer, whom the date for this history was not immediately at the top of memory will be grateful for a mention of Napoleon and of 1811. Which means that France is involved in the Napoleonic wars, this story beginning only a year away from the retreat from Moscow, Napoleon will be returning, exiled, escaping, defeated at Waterloo. There are some glimpses of warfare in the distance from the vineyards. But, there are also Napoleon’s social reforms, the Napoleonic laws, codifications, regulations, and, here, especially about the role of women, property, commerce and development.

The setting then for Barbe Nichole, the widow of creative but disturbed, Francois Clicaquot, played by Tom Sturridge in a 19^th century romantic, tragic style. This contrasts very much with Haley Bennett’s performance as Barbed Nichole, at times passionate in the flashbacks with her husband, enduring his eccentricities, grieving his death. But, she was a companion in his vision and talent for creativity in cultivating the vines, in developing the champagne, understanding the soil, the conditions, the blendings.

With the death of her husband, and a clash with her father-in-law, she decides to restore the impoverished vineyards, the loyalty of her workers, clashing with rivals, but engaging the help of a career salesman, travelling in Europe, Louis Bohne, a pleasantly charming Sam Riley. She stands firm against opposition, the men who are trying to dominate her, put her out of business, eventually bringing her to court, arguments about the Napoleonic law and the possibilities for women to administer the estates of their husbands.

With the screenplay championing creativity of a woman, standing against hostile men, creating a champagne which sold all over Europe, was favoured by the Tsar of Russia, has survived for centuries, is admirable, the audience might have appreciated this more with greater development of the character of Barbe Nichole that is presented in these 90 minutes.

1. The title and audience knowledge of Veuve Clicquot? Of French champagne, development and experimentation in the 19^th century, marketing and sales, the continuing tradition into the 21^st century?
2. Audience interest in the story of the background? A historical drama, the style of BBC television historical dramas? Costumes and decor, locations? Style of performance, style of dialogue?
3. The structure of the film, the introduction to Barbe Nichole, her inheriting the Vineyards from her dead husband, his father wanting possession and selling the properties, the local rivals and their interest? Her decision to run the Vineyards herself? Her reliance on the workers, even when unable to pay them, the criticisms of the manager, his disdain for a woman in charge? And the importance of Louis Bohne and marketing and distribution?
4. The development of the Vineyard, and the insertion of the flashbacks, the glimpses of François, his love for his wife, the daughter, his commitment to the Vineyards, sitting outside, singing to the vines, commending this to his wife? Successes and failures with the champagne? Continuing developments? His health, mental health, fewer explanations of his condition, as seen in the flashbacks with his wife and his devotion to her, his death, the funeral?
5. Opening in 1811, the Napoleonic era, the wars, the March on Moscow in 1812 and the retreat, the glimpses of war and explosions over the horizon? Ultimately Napoleon’s defeat? However, the importance of Napoleonic social reform, legislation and codes? The issue of a woman inheriting? The issue of a woman running a business?
6. The court case, the criticisms of the widow, her relationship with Louis Bohne, the accusation that she did not marry because she wanted to keep control according to the Napoleonic code? The speeches against her, the condemnations, the support of her accountant, of Louis, the presence of her father-in-law, her silence during the proceedings, the provision of love for her husband, to continue his tradition, her skills with the Vineyards, with developments for the champagne?
7. Seeing her at work over the years, the long hours, the intervention of her mother, the support of her companion, the relationship with her daughter (and the memories with her father)? The friendship with Louis, his believing in her, his extensive travel, the contracts, the marketing, his shrewdness in preserving bottles, sending to Russia, the admiration of the Tsar? The difficulties over the years, her perseverance, ultimately success, the payment of the workers?
8. A history of champagne, historical background? The portrait of a determined woman, in the 19^th century, determination and achievement?