The New Look (TV Series 2024– ) Poster

(2024– )

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8/10
Finally a decent show from Apple after running so many concepts to the ground
gabore9-428-22267028 February 2024
I was apprehensive fur a reason after so many disappointing shows from Apple that had great cast, budget and concept but decided to do a great pilot followed by 8 episodes of side stories of little interest with a decent finale if you were lucky (For All Mankind, Foundation), this has all the production values actors but also a story that has momentum and does not feel like a slog/ getting through time wasting dialogue. Can't say how historically accurate but definitely interesting so far. Both Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche are great, sound design could be better, at some point just had subtitles instead of changing the volume all the time for too loud music/ too quiet dialogue game shows love to play.
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8/10
Captivating WWII Drama - Not about dresses
kellye-101055 April 2024
I didn't realize the subject matter when I first started watching, and it was a pleasant surprise. The design careers of Dior, Chanel, and the other couture houses are merely a backdrop to the painful period of Nazi-occupied Paris. The show deals with how people handle ethics, compromise, and survival under impossible circumstances.

At the time I'm writing this, most of the reviews here are quibbling with things I find unimportant. It's made for English-speaking viewers, so it's not in French, and some of the accents may not be perfect. But many of the performances are absolutely riveting, and the story is quite thought-provoking. It's also entertaining - worth a watch!
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7/10
Unexpectedly good
dingalingalong17 February 2024
Yes, ok, John malkovic. He's great, but will be almost uncastable in further roles requiring an accent.

Meanwhile Coco Chanel looks like a parody of Jennifer Sanders, and there's a bit of Brosnan in Spatz!

Asides from the character assasinations, the acting is good, the story fascinating, the period in Paris is complicated and attention to detail very good.

On the story... Dior is 'working for the Nazis' to survive, but supporting the resistance too. You do what you must.

Poor Coco is shown in a very bad light though, so far. I am only a few episodes in.

What shouldn't surprise me, but in fact angers me, is that society continues with it's money and privilege in the middle of war and occupation. I suppose it was ever thus. There is rarely justice, or karma, in war.

I'm liking the series - its quality.
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9/10
Riveting
dane-9521518 February 2024
I don't understand the negative reviews-this series is riveting. Ben Mendelson is amazing as always. I didn't know about this piece of history and it makes for some edge of your seat viewing.

The rest of the cast is great as well, especially Juliette Binoche and John Malkovich. I've never seen Juliette Binoche play a villain before, and her character is genuinely menacing. It's also refreshing to see John Malkovich play a kind hearted person.

Anyone complaining about the accents is not focusing on the story itself, which is powerful, especially as it is based in truth. I give it a solid 9/10, drama for adults.
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9/10
Refreshing take on a Designers life.
edmont719 February 2024
Generally we get the fashion side of the minds of designers. This time we are transported to the major events in Christian Dior's life.

Acting is spot on and so is the cinematography.

Authentic feel for the resistance and Nazis as they are portrayed in a more subtle realistic way.

Bonus is Coco Chanel's big haunt. Juliette Binoche embed her so well. Kudos to her.

Ben Mendelsohn's acting is perfect and felt.

Costumes and sets historically correct.

Lighting was done in a way you feel the period.

Cinematography utilizes old and new techniques to keep you interested.

Writing keeps you engaged.

Glad this was produced with care.
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The true story this is based on deserved a more serious treatment.
mountainhutfilms23 February 2024
Ben Mendelssohn and Juliette Binoche give fine believable performances in this series. As does Maisie Williams as Catherine the sister of Christian Dior. Maisie, is of course incredibly well-known from Game of Thrones. In this role she was so believable and her performance so subtle that initially I did not realise who the actress was and had assumed she was a young French actress chosen for the role. The production quality is impeccable with especially sumptuous locations. The serious is almost worth watching for that reason alone. But unfortunately this is all rather badly let down by a light treatment that too often lacks any convincing emotional intensity. As such it belongs more in the realm of escapism than the serious drama the (based on a true life) story of intense courage and love truly deserves.
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6/10
At least it didn't try to give us the usual one dimensional version
canterburybella-68016 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
As only 3 episodes have aired so far, I'm impressed with some of the production, with a few exceptions, namely John Malkovich's inability to speak with a French accent. It would have been better had he not even tried. If the makers of this series wanted it to be truly realistic, all actors would either have been speaking in French or German. That aside, at least the production included one of the more important aspects of WW2 - the Polish Franco intelligence resistance fighters, many of whom were teenagers. Catherine Dior was in fact taken to a camp, and after the allies' liberation, was able to return to Paris. Her story is well known for those who wish to read about it. Thousands of resistance fighters met the guillotine, or were shot over the course of the war. I also remind readers that over 50 million died during WW2, a senseless slaughter that could have been avoided had the monsters been stopped in Munich.

I look forward to actually getting to the story of Dior and Chanel in the years ahead, as that's what I thought this series was about. I've read and researched WW2 enough to last a life time. I don't need Apple TV to try and educate, whether accurately or inaccurately about this horrific time in history, as it'll be the simplistic version that most WW2 movies depict, which are usually devoid of the slaughter of intellectuals (teachers professors and so on) homosexuals, gypsies, physically/mentally handicapped people, etc. By the Nazis. No one was safe.
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9/10
Insight into the occupation of Paris
vmb-1109013 March 2024
This series gives an insight into a little explored era - the French occupation, the tug of self preservation, the desire to fight the oppression of the Nazis and the development of the haute couture designers whose brands eventually came to dominate our lives for the next 70 years. I have found it riveting. Yes, it is flawed, mainly I feel because it is covering complex pressures and it is impossible to do more than scratch the surface. The series, if one can stop being critical of superficial accents for one minute, forces one to think about what that occupation did (and the parallels we must recognise today in Ukraine). This series draws you through the rich tapestry of life, emotion, selfishness, greed, heroism, sacrifice, love, homosexuality and mostly addresses for me the very "Frenchness" of all these - yes yes, only touched upon. But sufficient for this staid Brit to want to know more. I really can't cope with the continual criticism of accents (in case you hadn't guessed). Non Europeans (especially Americans) find it difficult to face sub titles and foreign languages, and so the film makers have to compromise and decided it should all be in English, but they also have to remind viewers that this is set in a foreign country hence the attempt at accents. I think this was carried out in an inoffensive way and the plus side is that they necessarily widened their audience to those who really should watch this topic and be inspired to learn more. Although a bit disjointed - Paris and Europe was disjointed at the time - people had to make split second decisions or lose their life or livelihood. So we are treated to the roller coaster that it was - and I think that the production is well paced considering all that they had to cover by nuance and by dwelling on the points sometimes for what seems like an age. I particularly applaud the treatment of the gradual awareness of the retreat of the Nazis, the pursuit of collaborators, the depiction of Ravensbruck, the return of the few and the pressure of relatives to seek out their loved ones. I loved John Malkovich as Lelong as well as the other main and supporting characters. I forgive all the mangled French accents. I now want to know more which is what a good series should want to achieve.
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6/10
The accents!
stewart-1357317 February 2024
Not one of them, not even the French born one were able to convincingly do a French accent. It was so cringey and hard to watch for that reason alone. None of the actors were particularly good so I'm not sure why they didn't just get actual French actors that could speak English to make an English speaking French series. Other than that I'm surprised to actually see a nuanced take on the how hard and it must have been to navigate a career through nazi occupied Paris. There is a lot of pop pooing made abt Chanel being sympathetic to nazis in wwi but it must have actually been a horrible and frightening experience especially being someone so notorious already.
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9/10
Sumptuous exploration of Vichy Paris and the designers who inhabited it
downpunxx6 March 2024
Sumptuous exploration of Vichy Paris and the designers who inhabited it. I've known all my adult life that Coco Channel was a Nazi collaborator, but I did not know the story about Christian Dior, his sister in the resistance, or her time at a work camp. This all set during the Nazi's occupation, and final retreat from France, is produced so well, with such an excellent top tier cast, top tier directing, set design, writing, pace, just about everything about this show is excellent I'm very surprised to see it not doing better in the user reviews and ratings. In an era of reality TV drivel, this quality show is so needed.
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6/10
Binoche shines as an anti-heroine but the rest dwindled
lotusflower_cam4 April 2024
The first couple of episodes started promising but the series as a whole didn't measure up to expectation as the paralleling storylines of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel didn't quite go so well together. You're left feeling like the series are all over the place as you start wondering mid-way through, what is it trying to achieve? Is it a story of the darker, less known side of Chanel, or a story about the slow rise and success of modest and conscientious Dior, or is it also maybe about the redemption of Resistance fighters who survive the atrocities of Nazi regime in WWII?

I think if the series were narrowed down to one main protagonist, either Chanel or Dior and either of their surroundings, it would have done better as a whole.

It was worth watching for me still since I love Juliette Binoche and it's one of her rarest performances as an antihero when she's well-known for playing likeable, loving and softer characters. She is excellent in this and it just proves again her undeniable talent and presence on the screen.
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10/10
An easy watch with a lot of flair
nikage3 April 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this show. It is completely different to anything else currently streaming and portrays the mirrored histories of Chanel and Dior in an interesting drama rather than a documentary.

The cast are stellar particularly Juliette Binoche, Ben Mendelsohn, Maise Williams, John Malkovich, and Emily Mortimer, as is the fashion. Maise Williams is almost unrecognisable in the role. The telling of the different stories including Catherine Dior's are really interesting to follow all woven together. Very easy to watch, highly recommend especially for those who like fashion, drama and/or war series. I was almost disappointed to see it end as I wanted to keep watching it all unravel...
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6/10
still a few episodes to go, but I'm out
nerrdrage6 March 2024
I can't hack anymore of this and I feel like I've already seen the episodes that might be interesting so I'm bailing and posting my overall review now.

This series suffers from a poor premise, namely that fashion designers like Dior and Chanel had any kind of impact on the morale of the French during and after WWII. Maybe they did, but this series fails to actually sell that notion. Characters might say it, but the first dictum of writing is Show, Don't Tell. They're not showing it.

I don't believe it anyway. Why should common citizens care about clothes being made for the wealthy? Why wouldn't they regard Catherine Dior, who risked her neck in the Resistance, as far more admirable than her brother Christian, who hid in the shadows?

The other huge flaw is including both Dior and Chanel's stories in the same series even though they barely overlap. Dior's story is serious - mainly because of Catherine - while Chanel's would be better off played as farce, given what a self-obsessed idiot they are depicting her as.

Apple has a very good track record, especially compared with their schlocky competition, but they still have their failures and this is one. Better luck next time. Maybe Manhunt will be good.
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10/10
The New Look is a fascinating untold story now brought to light
craig-kessler17 February 2024
This show is about the relationship between Dior and Channel, not specifically the war, the Jews, or fashion. Fashion is the backdrop by which we understand the interaction of a fashion titan and an up and coming talent during WWII. The performances are fantastic and the cinematography is as well, understanding that the dust some complain about in review is actually a device to show that in war, nothing is clear. This is a series, NOT a miniseries, which is made confusing by Apple letting people think the latter. The writers and production crew provide a fascinating story that you have never known but will now!
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10/10
Superb performances an Epic story worth a series
tm-sheehan4 April 2024
My Review- The New Look - streaming on Apple+ My Rating 10/10

What a great series for so many reasons two being the superb performances of Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel and Ben Mendelsohn who gives what I think is the finest performance of his career playing the legendary French fashion designer of The New Look Christian Dior.

I also was incredibly impressed with Maisie Williams who plays Catherine Dior the beloved sister of Christian who survived the hell of slave labor in Ravensbruck and other camps, a death march to Dresden and likely rape by Soviet troops during liberation.

The New Look is a story of survival on many levels during and after the 2nd World War after the Nazi invasion of France and Europe.

Coco Chanel who preceded Dior also survives after the war but not without serious allegations of conspiracy and cooperation with The German Reich.

Coco who was 27 years senior to Christian Dior was scathing in her disdain and jealousy when Dior exploded on the fashion scene transforming the wardrobe of the contemporary woman almost overnight, leading to a rejection of the war years practicality in women's tailoring.

Chanel was not afraid to express her disapproval. She accused Dior of dragging women back to the 19th-century ideals of femininity-upholding notions that women were objects to be admired by men. "Dior doesn't dress women

The New Look is a ten episode epic series full of surprises, intrigue and emotional content especially centred around these two very different and complex characters Coco Chanel and Christian Dior.

Ben Mendelsohn is totally convincing playing the famous French and Jewish fashion designer who remained in Paris during the occupation .

His beloved sister Catherine was a hero in the French Resistance, and Christian offered her both emotional and material support through some of the war's darkest times.

Juliet Binoche has the less sympathetic role as the ambitious and at times ruthless Gabrielle Chanel who rose from humble beginnings as a deserted foundling in a convent orphanage to become the most famous female fashion label in history.

The creative team on The New Look led by Director Helen Shaver and the talented team of screen writers lead by Matthew Fantaci have created a wonderful series.

Special mention of at least 3 supporting actor performances from John Malkovich cast as Lucien Lelong, Emily Mortimer as CoCo's problematic friend Elsa Lombardi and Glenn Close as Carmel Snow the editor-in-chief of the American edition of Harper's Bazaar.
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7/10
Haute Couture
douglasmcbroom28 April 2024
I wasn't expecting too much from this series, but it pulled me in from the outset. Creator Todd Kessler demonstrates that he is a creative chameleon as he has moved from the world of 'The Sopranos' to occupied and post-war France; the world at war and and the aftermath; as well as, the intrigue and glamour of French fashion.

Kessler worked with the extremely versatile actor Ben Mendleson on another show Kessler created, 'Bloodline.' Herein, Mendleson brilliantly captures the creative genius of Christian Dior, but also his softness, self-doubting and self-sabotaging nuances. He also nailed the French accent. The great John Malkovich was not nearly as successful with his accent, but brilliant nonetheless as Lucien Lelong.

Which brings me to a truly vile and evil creature: Coco Chanel. Juliette Binoche is riveting in this role, capturing the ice-cold essence of a woman who collaborated with the Germans and used and sold-out everyone in her orbit. She even attempted to use her German collaborations to try and steal the Chanel business from her Jewish partners!

Very enjoyable!
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9/10
Unexpectedly capturing
gzwmcb29 March 2024
I really enjoyed this it has a real calming atmosphere which makes it engaging and interesting. I felt like it was able to give just enough depth without being overly complex. The cast were good and of course where everyone is speaking English with a French in Paris it will always be off putting. But I was captivated by the story and the characters.

It's not a period I was so familiar with but I found it engaging and interesting. The way it's shot felt intimate and gave it an intensity. Also the scenes and location's felt realistic and gave the show a sense of realism. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
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6/10
Boring
hvahed134 April 2024
I expected an exciting and creative story, but the series was not like that. After the second part, the story entered a quiet and boring path. Of course, because the series is inspired by a true story, the director has to rely on reality. I found the last five episodes of the series boring and irrelevant. The end of the story was clear from the middle of the series. The number of filming locations was also limited and it reduced the excitement of the story. The story of the series takes place during World War II and a few years after that, but this is very little shown in the story of the series. The love story of the main actors of the series is not seen much in the series.
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10/10
Beautiful and Fascinating
blo112413 April 2024
This series is unexpectedly compelling as well as educational. Ben Mendelsohn as Chrisitian Dior is fantastic, as are Juliet Binoche as Channel and Masie Williams as Catherin Dior. Kessler's well-written script(s) not only give us such insight into the endurance of the French people during the Nazi occupation of France, but the birth of haute couture post WWII. The artistic endeavors of Dior and his peers (Balmain, Balenciaga, Patou, et al) offered beauty and hope after such a dark period in history. The lasting influence these individuals had on the fashion and design industry is unprecedented. (Don't make me quote Amanda Preistly's monologue about how fashion designers directly affect the clothes you purchase at your local department store!) The series was beautifully photographed on location which gives it such detailed authenticity. I was riveted by the story and looked forward to each episode with high anticipation. I hope AppleTV+ greenlights a second season as there is more to this story. Thank you, Apple, for investing in such a lovely project with such fine talent.
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7/10
A Stylish and Engaging TV Drama
akcenat31 March 2024
"The New Look" premiered in 2024, offering a fresh take on the fashion industry and the iconic designers who shaped it. Set in post-World War II Paris, the show follows the rise of Christian Dior and his eponymous fashion house, as well as the rivalries and romances that defined the era.

One of the strengths of "The New Look" is its impeccable attention to detail in recreating the glamour and elegance of 1940s Paris. The costumes are a feast for the eyes. The sets and locations also transport the viewer to the heart of the French fashion world, from the ateliers to the grand boulevards.

While "The New Look" is undeniably stylish, it has substance. The series explores themes of artistry, ambition, and the changing role of women in post-war society.

The show's pacing is generally well-balanced, combining character-driven drama and fashion-focused set pieces. However, some subplots feel underdeveloped and distract from the main narrative.

Overall, "The New Look" is a visually stunning and emotionally engaging series that offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in fashion history. While not without flaws, the show's mainly strong performances, attention to detail, and thematic depth make it a must-watch for fans of period dramas and fashion enthusiasts.

Rating: 7 out of 10 IMDb stars.
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8/10
Post WWII fact in fiction
rykxvrh28 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
An excellent insight into post war europe. Highlights Chanel as someone that manages to survive by continually playing the game and multiple sides. As did many others and businesses such as Coca Cola with Fanta, Hugo Boss, Thysen Krupps and more. The contrast between Dior and Chanel is fascinating as they had two opposite experiences during the war.

The fact that so many famous designers were all in similar circles is fascinating. The acting is very good and time is taken to develop the characters. If you want quick flashy action then this is not for you. If you like history, sociology in a drama then this is for you.
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6/10
Not what I thought it would be !
liviavidotto4 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I am really ambivalent about this series - I did enjoy it however it wasn't what I thought it would be. I understood it to be about Christian Dior's 'new look' collection after the war - which in part it was but really this series focused too much on Coco Chanel - and her ties to the Nazis. Also the first few episodes were all about the French Resistance and the German occupation. Now while all these subjects are interesting and very worthy of the viewers attention - I felt these 10 episodes tried to pack in too much information without exploring the main subject that much - Christian Dior. I was left disappointed- it was too rushed in the end.
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5/10
Someone used too much effects
agent90714 February 2024
What is happening with color grading, lens flare effects, and washout in it? It's like watching an HDR movie on TV without HDR support. They tried to use different colors for different time periods and moods, but it all made it confusing because they constantly switch color grading from one to another. Also, they literally wash out colors from some scenes, so people become unrecognizable. Additionally, some scenes look like someone forgot to clean up dust from the lens. Some shooting angles are super weird and strange, like we're looking at all like perverts. Overall, it's a good show, but it has horrendous post-effects and post-production.
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10/10
John and Ben deserve awards for this one!
vetrotek30 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I've never been interested in Coco Chanel or Christian Dior until now. I know that the story isn't accurate, but it evokes an emotional response with both designers having to live through Nazi occupied France and what life must've been like during the hardest times. John Malkovich is so honest in his betrayal of Lelong, a businessman, working with artists, and how high the stakes were for him trying to keep his business going. When actors tend to overdo accents it comes off as unnatural, but it was very natural. John Malkovich should win an award for this. I wish he would have done more work like this in his long career. Roles like this is where his lineage belongs. The oooff when Christian decides to leave is so relatable. Of course Ben Mendelssohn is extraordinary, when is he not. I don't get emotional but this show evokes every emotion. Thank you.
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10/10
Unexpectedly Cried with Dior
hjsrfbgbg3 April 2024
I just finished the final episode and I did not expect to cry during the scene when Le Long visited Dior. They acted relief like Ive never seen before. The accumulated emotions that I felt from Episode 1 was released during that scene.

The series turns the spotlight away from Dior's dazzling runways, offering an intriguing glimpse into the personal inspirations behind his iconic creations. With a focus on his deep-rooted family values and his enriching friendship with Le Long, the series artfully weaves a tale of the man behind the fashion empire. It's smart, engaging, and reveals the layers of Dior in a way that's bound to captivate. Perfect for those eager to discover the real story behind the legend.
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