Ready to Wear (Prêt-à-Porter) (1994)

26% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
26% of users liked it
(6,599 ratings)

This large, sprawling comedy directed by Robert Altman concerns a variety of romantic and personal intrigues that intersect against the backdrop of Paris's annual "Pret-a-Porter" fashion extravaganza. With 31 principal characters and a number of cameos from well known models, designers, actors and… More This large, sprawling comedy directed by Robert Altman concerns a variety of romantic and personal intrigues that intersect against the backdrop of Paris's annual "Pret-a-Porter" fashion extravaganza. With 31 principal characters and a number of cameos from well known models, designers, actors and actresses, there's far too much going on to describe the film in a limited space, but Julia Roberts and Tim Robbins get stuck in a hotel room together, Danny Aiello wears a dress, Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni reignite their old passion (or at least try to), Stephen Rea humiliates a number of female journalists, Kim Basinger often looks dumbfounded, and Lyle Lovett plays a Texan (talk about imaginative casting!). Originally called Pret-a-Porter, this underwent a last-minute title change when the distributor discovered very few Americans understood what the French phrase means, with the English translation taking its place. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 12 min.
Directed By: Robert Altman
Written By: Robert Altman, Barbara Shulgasser
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 23, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jun 29, 1999
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin, New York Times
Though it credits Mr. Altman and Barbara Shulgasser as writers, this film seems practically scriptless, to the point where much of it plays like a first rehearsal.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
The picture is not a social satire. It's a mess.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Altman and his writer, former Chicago Sun-Times reporter Barbara Shulgasser, should have gone further and been meaner; too many of his jokes are generic slapstick, instead of being aimed squarely at industry's targets.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Despite some delicious moments, this sluggish, overlong, halfhearted satire feels like a movie that wanted to go somewhere but never got there.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The spoof goes nowhere and takes a long time in doing so.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Sporadically amusing camp mess.
Susan Tavernetti, Palo Alto Weekly
Robert Altman may be the most inconsistent American film director alive.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Altman's much-maligned comedy about the fashion industry deserves another look.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Red L

I tried four different times to watch this over two hours, but even though it has a cast of thousands (31 stars I guess), it has no continuity and puts you to sleep
Steven C

Robert Altman's "Ready to Wear" is far to fluffy to be a significant satire. After the master class double feature of "The Player" and "Short Cuts," Altman tried to combine the structures of each of those films for "Ready to Wear." The… More
Robert Altman's "Ready to Wear" is far to fluffy to be a significant satire. After the master class double feature of "The Player" and "Short Cuts," Altman tried to combine the structures of each of those films for "Ready to Wear." The result is a misguided, light as a feather comedy about the fashion industry. While the film is fast paced, the lack of any true story or thematic line is missing. There are glimpses of these, which give the appearance that the film could have been more than it is, but it is ultimately pat. But still, "Ready to Wear" can never be called bad, because it's fun, has a great cast of actors and a few pointed scenes that make it worthwhile. Should it have been meaner, like "The Player?" Yes. Should it have been as emotionally resonant as "Short Cuts?" Yes. But "Ready to Wear" is neither of these things and as it stands, it's just light fun.
Anthony L

I have a love hate thing going on with Altman movies. This is one of his I hate.
Sunil J

Interesting and worthy of a watch.
Dimitris S

Clearly under-appreciated and an accurate painting on the hypersensitivity of fashion and the backstage of it.Altman might be tired after Short Cuts and The Player yet it's not like the recent ticking film pile of dazzling stars and no depth.Richard E. Grant is hilarious and so… More
Clearly under-appreciated and an accurate painting on the hypersensitivity of fashion and the backstage of it.Altman might be tired after Short Cuts and The Player yet it's not like the recent ticking film pile of dazzling stars and no depth.Richard E. Grant is hilarious and so is the numbed,deadpan Mastroianni.Filled with vanity and nothing to wear by the latter stages,literately.
Anthony V

You'd think with this cast and this director this would be hit, but it's a miss - and a BIG miss.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Sophia Loren as Isabella de la Fontaine

            Marcello Mastroianni as Sergei/Sergio

            Julia Roberts as Anne Eisenhower

            Tim Robbins as Joe Flynn

            Kim Basinger as Kitty Potter

            Stephen Rea as Milo O'Brannagan

            Anouk Aimée as Simone Lowenthal

            Lauren Bacall as Slim Chrysler

            Lili Taylor as Fiona Ulrich

            Sally Kellerman as Sissy Wanamaker

            Tracey Ullman as Nina Scant

            Linda Hunt as Regina Krumm

            Rupert Everett as Jack Lowenthal

            Forest Whitaker as Cy Bianco

            Richard E. Grant as Cort Romney

            Danny Aiello as Major Hamilton

            Teri Garr as Louise Hamilton

            Lyle Lovett as Clint Lammeraux

            Jean Rochefort as Inspector Tantpis

            Michel Blanc as Inspector Forget

            Anne Canovas as Violetta Romney

            Jean-Pierre Cassel as Olivier de la Fontaine

            François Cluzet as Nina's Assistant

            Kashia Figura as Vivienne

            Ute Lemper as Albertine

            Tara Leon as Kiki Simpson

            Chiara Mastroianni as Sophie Choiset

            Tom Novembre as Reggie

            Sam Robards as Regina's Assistant

            Georgianna Robertson as Dane Simpson

            Harry Belafonte as Himself

            Laura Benson as Milo's Entourage #1

            Naomi Campbell as Model

            Cher as Herself

            Rossy de Palma as Pilar

            Maurice Lamy as Bell Boy

            Andre Penvern as Hotel Clerk

            Tapa Sudana as Kerut

            Alexandra Van Der Noot as Sky-TV Rreporter

            Jean-Paul Gaultier as Designer featured with his collection

            Yann Collette as Coroner

            Björk as Model
See full cast