Moss and Freud Review: A Portrait of Collaboration
“Moss and Freud,” screened at the London Film Festival, offers a glimpse into the artistic partnership between supermodel kate Moss and painter Lucian Freud. The film depicts thier collaboration on Freud’s celebrated nude portrait of Moss, created in 2002 when she was 28 and he was 80. Introduced by freud’s daughter,fashion designer Bella Freud,the project resulted in a painting notable for its candour and intimacy,heightened by Moss’s pregnancy at the time.
Ellie Bamber portrays Kate Moss, handling the nude scenes with directness and poise. Derek Jacobi embodies Lucian Freud, capturing his distinctive physical presence - though perhaps lacking the artist’s renowned sharpness – and employing a purposeful Germanic inflection.
The film consciously addresses and dispels tabloid speculation surrounding a potential romantic relationship between the two, emphasizing a purely professional dynamic. Rather, it focuses on the creative exchange and the bohemian atmosphere surrounding their work. The narrative portrays a surprisingly amiable rapport, depicting moments of shared laughter and a generally harmonious working habitat.
While acknowledging the inherent drama resides within Freud’s finished painting,the film explores the complexities of the artist-model relationship. It subtly suggests a mutual self-interest – Freud utilizing Moss’s image, and Moss benefiting from the prestige and potential value of a Freud portrait - without explicitly addressing financial considerations. A scene highlighting a perceived slight towards Bella Freud at Moss’s birthday party underscores a shared tendency towards capriciousness.
The film culminates in Moss’s reaction to the completed portrait. The depiction highlights the stark contrast between Freud’s uncompromisingly physical and sensual representation and the carefully constructed image Moss had cultivated. The review notes that this artistic portrayal, in its raw honesty, ultimately surpasses the film’s own attempts at narrative control.
