High & Low: John Galliano * * * * ½

Galliano holding a stone.
Would anybody care to cast it?

I walked into the cinema knowing next to nothing about John Galliano and walked out two hours later feeling well informed, so I guess you could call this a good documentary.

I've seen one or two other doco's on the fashion industry (Dior) and I must admit I find them fascinating.  It's another world. A world that can seem vain, vacuous and worthless and at the same time brilliant, beautiful and worshipful.

John Galliano was/is one of the most celebrated of designers of the last thirty years. He is also the one that utterly destroyed his career and personal reputation by making nasty stupid racist comments to people he didn't even know.  Being drunk was his only defence.

It's a tragic thing when a man can achieve so much and be so undeniably creative but only remembered for saying something stupid.  A whole lifetime of brilliant work outweighed by a two minute outburst.  But such was the fate of John Galliano in 2010.

Director Kevin Macdonald has directed both documentaries and dramas (The Black Sea). 

In this documentary he commences with talking to his subject John Galliano in the present day. Galliano is quite a charismatic character.  He invites Macdonald to ask him anything.  Agrees to answer any question.  And he does.  

We then hear the story of his life.  How he was raised in Gibraltar and London by very poor and a somewhat neglectful mother and bullying father.  He was aware of his talents from an early age.  Constantly drawing designs.  He went to college and graduated with an ensemble that amazed everyone.  

After that, his rise was seemingly meteoric.  Yes, he suffered the odd set back.  He was broke for years,  and yes he worked hard.  

However, such was his talent that at a relatively young age he was appointed chief designer at the house of Dior, which caused quite a stir:. An Englishman in charge of design of a legendary French label!  Sacrebleu! But his first showing soon silenced any critics. They loved it! Mind you the rest of the world was somewhat taken aback at the idea of dressing people like the homeless. But hey, that's fashion for you. 

Fortunately there is a lot of footage for the documentary makers to work with, showing us his  remarkably creativity.  Galliano really knew fabric and what to do with it.  At times it's like watching a magician.  I honestly found myself in awe of his creativity. 

Galliano worked terribly hard and he was pushed by his employer too. Drugs, alcohol, sleeplessness, pressure. Hundreds of people wanting to know him. His life was rather like a rock star. And then his dearest friend and partner in creativity died.  

Galliano was at his lowest and in a bar when he had his outburst.  The trouble was he did not do it just once, but three times. The second time being bitterly anti- semitic - and it was recorded.  The outrage was huge.  And you know how it is these days with social media. There is nothing like finding someone who has committed a public sin.  That glorious moment when you can forget all your own failings and indiscretions. Crucify him!  He was gone!  

And he did disappear from the whole business for ten years.  The story of  him getting sober, his rehabilitation and his contriteness is fascinating.  And how during that time he accepted the extraordinary counsel from a Rabbi in London. 

Just as fascinating is the story of  those who were  affected by his remarks.  Those that say they will forgive and those that won't, and why. 

He has friends in the industry who insist that what came out of his mouth was not Galliano.  Something went desperately wrong for him to have done that and that he never was a racist.  He was drunk, tired and irritated and wanted to be offensive.  Well he certainly achieved that! 

He's also achieved some of the greatest fashion statements ever. 

I'm not the one to judge John Galliano, but in regard to this film,  I would say High & Low is a rich, insightful, balanced, highly informative, documentary.