Movie review: ‘Charlotte Rampling: The Look’

As haunting and captivating as its famed subject, Angelina Maccarone’s “Charlotte Rampling: The Look” proves a unique documentary portrait of one of cinema’s most quietly enduring talents.

Although a linear, anecdotal biopic could easily have been fashioned about the British-born actress — aptly dubbed here “an icon of desire” — Maccarone instead enlists Rampling herself to reflect on her life via naturalistic chats (artfully shot in New York, Paris and London) with friends and collaborators including fashion photographers Peter Lindbergh and Juergen Teller, writer Paul Auster, director-son Barnaby Southcombe and production designer Franckie Diago.

With such weighty topics as “Age,” “Love” and “Death” ascribed to each conversation, the now 65-year-old Rampling offers up an array of candid, sometimes profound musings that provide singular insight into her creative, artistic and emotional soul. Those looking for dishy specifics, however, will be disappointed.

Clips from notable Rampling pictures including “Georgy Girl,” 1974’s then-controversial “The Night Porter,” “Stardust Memories,” “The Verdict” and the more recent “Swimming Pool” and “Heading South” punctuate the discussions while providing a stirring visual timeline of this gracefully aging beauty.

“Charlotte Rampling: The Look.” No MPAA rating. In English, French and German with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 38 minutes. At Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, Beverly Hills.