For me the best documentaries have two essential qualities; they give a window into a world that one would not normally see and there is some sort of story arc/structure to give form to the piece. This did both. The Met Museum gala of May is, I am 100% sure, something I will never be apart of...so first essential quality met. The second was also there as the end/climax was the night itself ( of which in the opening we saw glimpses in enjoyable ( slight) slide-mo.
To begin with I felt the film makers were trying to get too much background Information in...previous shows, history of Costume Institute etc...but this passed and, on reflection, this's was a good idea to put the event in historical and social context. It was fascinating to see how the Institute began almost as the ugly sister, confined to the basement and not seen as serious 'art'. The last laugh was on the Institute though...and it was amusing to watch the gradual change of mind of the Director of the Asian Art galleries which were to provide the backdrop ( and but was that concept that was at the heart of his doubts) and setting for the event.
As the end approached, and time seemed to be running out, there was a welcome sense of drama added. The political minefield was also well referenced..the problems of putting a Mao suit in a hall with Buddha's for example.
Good to see so many Brits involved, with the main creator the best of them all.
There were some great moments in the film...seeing Anna A's dismay at the look and state of their new World Trade Centre offices, the bubbling enthusiasm of Jean-Paul Gaultier, the usual extravagant high-camp value of Andre Leon Talley...although a great pity that the main person with whom he spoke was that wretched silicone sack, Kartrashian. His outrage at Clooney and Amal not stopping was wonderful too!
Illuminating.