Bravo, Bravo, Valentino!

Valentino The Last Emperor is a grand and glorious film.
It's a film about pursuing your craft; about demanding perfection in the pursuit of that craft; about living up to the responsibilities of being a creative person; about demanding the best of yourself throughout your life and allowing your life to stand as a testament, a single statement unabashedly proclaiming your art and craft.
These themes are all brought together in the life of Valentino Garavani and his life gives the film a transcendent and poignant unity.
The images, the music, the characters, the colors - everything about this film is resplendent.
This is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of fashion, featuring access never-before allowed in the high temples of Haute Couture. The legendary Valentino is the star of the film, along with his longtime business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti.
Valentino The Last Emperor follows them for the final two years of their careers, and shows the struggles the two men face as they confront the final act of a nearly 50-year career at the top of the world's most glamorous and competitive game. The struggle of art against commerce is at the center of the film. In the end, however, the story proves to be not one about money or expensive clothes, but about love.
This is about the love of craft, the love of beauty, the love of fashion, the love of life.
And, strangely enough, it's also about the love of work - for if you come to discover what your talent is and why God put you on this earth in the first place, your life and your work will be one and you will love your work.
This is a rich and compelling story with endearing lessons for all. But it seems to me that this story is especially instructive for young people who too often think of their future in terms of jobs or careers instead of searching for their inner talent, their craft, their calling.
Do not miss this wonderful film!