Movie Review: Marc by Sofia

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A look beyond the runway.

Synopsis

Directed by Sofia Coppola, Marc by Sofia is an up close and personal documentary portraying the artistic process of her close friend, fashion designer Marc Jacobs, as he prepares for his Spring 2024 Ready to Wear fashion show.

My thoughts

I’m not really the most fashion-forward person. My wardrobe consists of a T-shirt and jeans with a collared shirt thrown in here and there. I try my best to keep it stylish when the occasion calls for it, but comfort reigns supreme for me when it comes to the world of fashion. When I look at the hot new fashion that’s hitting the runways, and it doesn’t look comfortable at all, not to mention comically over the top, why wouldn’t I stay casual?

Well, it would be silly to actually think that way, as these ridiculous outfits we often see models strutting down the runway wearing aren’t meant to be practical pieces of clothing. They’re more like walking art pieces if anything, and while I’m still giggling watching these models stoically struggle to stay upright while wearing a knit sweater 7x too large, there’s no doubt an artistic intent to it all.

A friend indeed

I didn’t really know what to expect walking into Marc by Sofia. The title is intriguing, the poster even more so, and as implied above, I don’t know a lick about the fashion industry or its designers like Marc Jacobs. When it comes to Sofia Coppola, she’s a talented filmmaker, if inconsistent. However, this is her first documentary, something she admits to herself in the film, so how would uncharted creative territory pan out for her?

Marc Jacobs clearly thought Coppola was the right person for the job, as he said he would only do the documentary if she directed. Coppola’s and Jacobs friendship goes all the way back to the early 1990’s when they met each other in New York, so who better to depict your life than a very close friend? That does carry some risk, though, as a person making a documentary about their friend can be clouded by personal biases and emotions.

Coppola skillfully sidesteps that, making Marc by Sofia one of those artist profiles that never feels hagiographic. In fact, it’s not even biographic. Jacobs offers some snapshots of his past career and snippets of his life, fondly recalling stories of his father and grandmother, but this film is very much in the moment of 2024. It’s more like a fly-on-the-wall documentary where we get a behind-the-scenes peek into the artistic process of Jacobs designing the clothing line for his Spring 2024 Ready to Wear show.

Since Coppola is taking her first stab at making a documentary, the production quality is a little iffy. Her brother Roman Coppola was one of the cinematographers, and while the overall production feels somewhat amateurish, there’s a genuine earnestness to it all. It’s not flashy or overproduced, with some minor shooting and editing flubs, but that honestly gave it some charm. Marc by Sofia feels like a documentary made because the people involved were friends and weren’t out to impress anybody.

The art of fashion

A documentary is really only as good as its central subject, and I must say, Marc Jacobs is a fascinating person. I was captivated from the moment he started speaking and was completely drawn into every scene he was in. There’s just something I love about listening to somebody who’s passionate about their craft and exceptionally skilled at it, explaining their creative and psychological process. Designing clothing is an art form, just like any other, that requires some depth to pull off.

For being a rich and successful fashion designer, it was compelling listening to Jacobs describe his insecurities, such as his feelings of imposter syndrome, where he feels like every prominent designer, but he has it all figured out. His talent really speaks for itself, though. He’s also quite funny with a quick wit, and while the stress definitely mounts at times, especially as it gets closer to the fashion show, he still keeps a cool head.

It turns out I was more familiar with Jacobs’ work than I thought, showing just why he’s such an icon in the fashion industry. Still, I walked into this knowing nothing about the man and came out thinking, “Hey, this guy’s actually pretty awesome!” He’s not annoying or full of himself. He just loves designing fashion and sharing it with the world, serving as a compelling contrast to an industry that primarily appears as vapid and superficial.

Marc by Sofia is at its best when the focus is all on Jacobs, and at only 87-minutes, I could have listened to this guy talk for hours. It never feels like he’s answering interview questions but genuinely talking to a friend. There isn’t a whole lot of dramatic heft or tension with the Spring 2024 Ready to Wear show, which Jacobs’ personality and passion more than make up for. It’s a documentary that’s about as stripped back and matter-of-fact as it gets.

Final verdict

While the world of fashion design is still something that mostly perplexes me, I can always appreciate an exploration into an artist’s creative process, especially if that artist is as fascinating as Marc Jacobs. One doesn’t need to be a fashionista to enjoy Marc by Sofia, as Jacobs’ arresting personality will certainly make up for any lack of knowledge. In fact, it might even give you an appreciation for the art of fashion design. Is Sofia Coppola’s debut documentary the most groundbreaking effort? Not really, but the honest enthusiasm for her friend shines through the entire picture.

My rating: 7/10

Marc by Sofia will be playing at Harkins Theatres Camelview at Fashion Square and AMC Mesa Grand.

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