On Screen: “La Maison”
La Maison
It’s been called “Succession but with better clothes” and/or “Emily in Paris for Grown-Ups” … either way, Apple TV+’s French series “La Maison” entices viewers into the century-old, ultra-luxurious, haute-couture empire that once belonged to Vincent Ledu, who has suddenly fallen out of fashion.
When an offhand racist remark gone viral causes Vincent Ledu (Lambert Wilson) to lose control of his iconic label in an international scandal, his relatives circles like vultures, primarily his younger brother Victor (Pierre Deladonchamps) and his pampered thirtysomething nephew Robinson (Antoine Reinartz).
Complicating their inheritance claim is edgy Paloma Castel (Zita Hanrot), a visionary designer who arrives on the scene in order to learn more about her father Gino — the great love of Vincent Ledu’s life — who died when she was only two years old.
Championing diversity and sustainability, this outspoken orphan is welcomed by Perle Foster (Amira Casar), Vincent’s second-in-command and former muse, who tries to convince her boss that “a biracial activist young woman” is exactly what they need, particularly since their financial future is hanging by a thread.
Meanwhile, Ledu’s financial independence is threatened by uber-wealthy Diane Rovel (Carole Bouquet), a relentlessly avaricious predator who already controls a Bernard Arnault-like collection of luxury labels and desperately desires to acquire the Ledu brand — perhaps via her daughter Caroline (Florence Loiret Caille) who is married to Victor Ledu.
Created by Jose Caltagirone and Valentine Millville, this drama series offers behind-the-curtain insight into the unstable economics of the highest echelon of fashion which — for years — has been supported by sales of perfume and purses. With a minuscule client base (about 4,000 worldwide), it nurtures and endorses elitist designers — like Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Gaultier, Schiaparelli, etc. — who meet the exacting, labor-intensive standards of Paris’s Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM).
Since the first season concludes with ambiguity, there’s anticipation for a second season but that has yet to be announced by Apple TV+.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “La Maison” is a sleek yet slow-paced 6 — with all 10 episodes now streaming on Apple TV+.
Susan Granger is a product of Hollywood. Her natural father, S. Sylvan Simon, was a director and producer at M.G.M. and Columbia Pictures. Her adoptive father, Armand Deutsch, produced movies at M.G.M.
As a child, Susan appeared in movies with Abbott & Costello, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Margaret O’Brien, and Lassie. She attended Mills College in California, studying journalism with Pierre Salinger, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in journalism.
During her adult life, Susan has been on radio and television as an anchorwoman and movie and drama critic, syndicating her reviews and articles around the world, including Video Librarian. She has appeared on American Movie Classics and Turner Classic Movies. In 2017, her book 150 Timeless Movies was published by Hannacroix Creek Books. Her website is www.susangranger.com.