DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL (Lisa Immordino Vreeland). 77 minutes. Opens Friday (October 19). See times. Rating: NN
Midway through Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel, 1960s supermodel Veruschka informs us that for the former editor-in-chief of Vogue – reverentially called “Mrs. Vreeland” by assistants and celebrities alike – the most important thing in life was not to be boring. Vreeland, then, wouldn’t be a fan of this documentary.
Undeserving of any of the fashion icon’s favourite terms – “Pizzazz!” “Marvellous!” “Gorgeous!” – the film, directed by her granddaughter-in-law, Lisa Immordino Vreeland, is a facile journey through the icon’s life.
Born in Paris, raised in the roaring 20s and an international trendsetter during her time at Vogue in the 60s, Vreeland made blue jeans mainstream and styled Jackie O. Feats to be sure, but the documentary lacks the inventiveness and playfulness that made her unique.
The film is narrated by actors portraying Vreeland and the author of her memoirs, George Plimpton (Annette Miller and Jonathan Epstein), but their phony banter drags the film into the unintentionally parodic, making it impossible to take Vreeland’s accomplishments seriously.
Though it gestures toward larger (and more interesting) discussions of her personal life, motivations and feminism, these are sidelined in favour of montages of nostalgic fashion spreads.
Much like the magazine Vreeland worked at, it’s all gloss, no substance.
