Widow Clicquot

For all the stirring proto-feminist messaging, this is a curiously uninvolving piece of storytelling.

Although Widow Clicquot won’t blow your mind, it is a solid, if muddled, biopic of someone who was entirely fascinating, founded a great champagne empire, became one of the richest women of her day and whom, I’m guessing, you know nothing about.

Bryce Dessner, from rock band The National, also contributes an austere score mixing spare strings and a convent-like choir. Overall, though, Widow Clicquot is distinctly lacking in verve.

It’s not quite the full grand cru period drama from the Merchant Ivory vintage, but rather a semi-sparkling biopic.

A dim, fawning account of the achievements of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin (1777-1866), the original creator of the marque.

This didn't pop my cork.

The fascinating backstory that surely belongs with this tale of a female wine entrepreneur in Napoleonic France just doesn't get the attention it deserves in this vague, dreamy treatment with great atmos but weak script

Despite being an empowering tale of triumph, the best aspects of this film are its beauty and its restraint.

Without over-pushing the point, the movie never lets us forget what a major miracle Madame Clicquot achieved in her prime.

What a waste of a good drink, and of this fascinating woman as a subject.