REVIEW
Reality television has taken over the world of documentary filmmaking. Films that used to take us to places we'd never imagined before now bring us into the homes of overweight people, manic cake decorators and divorcing couples. Most of these films aren't of interest to us, but Valentino: The Last Emperor is the rare and wonderful exception. While the film doesn't transport us or teach us, it is a glimpse into the lives of two gay men whose 24/7/365 relationship has not only survived 50 years, it has thrived. No longer lovers, legendary fashion designer Valentino met Giancarlo Giammetti in a cafe on the Via Veneto in Rome in 1960. Which cafe is a point of contention between the two men. Perhaps the secret to their success is their attention to each other's needs. Valentino needs to be stroked and Giancarlo needs to be organized and proven right. Giancarlo has run their business shrewdly and without revealing much to his partner. This film takes us into the events surrounding Valentino's retirement from his lifelong business. Many an Oscar recipient has worn a Valentino gown. The couture dresses hand-made in the Valentino shop are gorgeous, rich and as he says "wearable." The name "Valentino" represents glamor of the old school variety - and there's lots of it in this charming film. Shot on the runways of Paris and Italy, with stars making cameos and the love between the two men at the core of the film, Valentino: The Last Emperor is a wonderful treat.

-- Scott Cranin