Twiggy: Movie Review

Director: Sadie Frost

There's a generally breezy feel to actor-turned-director Sadie Frost's run through Dame Lesley Lawson's life in this amiable doco that sheds light on the girl next door who always wanted to be a model.

Born Lesley but given the name Twiggy, the iconic fashion starlet rocketed to fame in the heyday of the swinging 1960s in the UK - but as Frost's rapid-fire opening montage shows it had its darker sides, as she was mobbed at JFK and questioned about her weight and the fact she was flat-chested.

It's a start that hints at a tale of darkness, but this incredibly upbeat and lively tale never once stops to peer into the darkness - even though there are hints of it throughout, from breakups to an ominous encounter with gun-obsessed music maestro Phil Spector.

Perhaps it could do with taking a breath once in a while, but in truth, Forst brings a vibrant energy to the doco that is as infectious as it is entertaining. 

With her big eyes, overdone eyelashes (which were inspired by a ragdoll in her bedroom) and Cockney accent, Twiggy is a rare open book in archive footage splattered throughout. Capturing the joy rather than the hedonism of 1960s UK and a joie de vivre as she insists on taking every opportunity she can when it comes up, there's the kind of plucky underdog story that usually hits with audiences everywhere.

With a wealth of footage to capitalise on, Frost does well to keep this under 90 minutes while pulling together a relatively complete portrait of the icon. It's not embellished with flourishes, nor is it filled with showy moments - the only creative touch is a use of animation for a meeting with Phil Spector and Twiggy's distinctive twang.

Yet conversely what Frost does do is subtly show up the inherent sexism of the time - from questions over weight to Woody Allen's interviewing of her over her favourite philosopher, Twiggy provides a depressing look into how badly she could have fallen had she allowed herself to be sucked into that world.

That's the key thing here though - Frost never once makes Twiggy a victim, and the film empowers her - and audiences - with its nice-girls-can-win ethos and attitude.

It's a blast of a doco and one which leaves you feeling that this is a life lived to the fullest by a person whose energy and drive is nothing short of compellingly catchy.