The Chaperone (2018 film)

The Chaperone is a 2018 period drama film, directed by Michael Engler, with a screenplay by Julian Fellowes, from the novel by Laura Moriarty. It stars Elizabeth McGovern, Haley Lu Richardson, Miranda Otto, Blythe Danner, Campbell Scott, Géza Röhrig and Victoria Hill.

It had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival on September 23, 2018. It was released on March 29, 2019, by PBS Distribution.

Plot
In 1922, invited to study dance at the Denishawn school in NYC, teen Louise Brooks must find a chaperone to accompany her. Middle-aged Norma Carlisle, who also lives in Wichita, KS, volunteers after watching her recital.

Mr. Carlisle isn't sure of Norma going to NYC, but their sons support her trip. At the rail station, her husband discourages her from seeking information about something, and they have a strained goodbye. Louise's father reminds her that her stay in NYC depends on her chaperone.

On their way to Chicago, Norma and Louise learn about each other. The younger constantly questions the norm, while the other toes the line. Norma dreams of her first time on the train, a girl bound for her adoptive family in Kansas. Upon waking alone, she seeks Louise, finding her in the dining car with a young man and his uncle. Discussing prohibition. Norma is the only one supporting it.

Later, in their sleeper cabin, Norma reminds Louise being with men without a chaperone is frowned upon. Then says men only marry 'untouched' women, which Louise sees as extremely antiquated. Norma was a NYC born orphan, adopted by a Kansas farm family. As these parents died when she was a teen, she married soon after meeting Mr. Carlisle. Louise senses Norma is unhappy, although she denies it.

In NYC, Louise loves the noise and bustle, but Norma is uncomfortable. The younger woman wants to explore, but the other insists they stay in, as her first class is at 10. After walking Louise to class, Norma meets Floyd who works there while studying at Columbia. She shows him an address on 15th street, which he warns her is a dangerous area.

The young dancers at Denishawn school are reminded they mustn't drink or smoke, to be perceived as pure and untarnished at all times. Meanwhile, Norma goes to her old nun-run orphanage she came from to get contact info for her birth mother, but is turned away. Another flashback, of Mr. Carlisle, reveals his infidelity.

After Louise becomes the lead, Norma finds her in the diner, flirting with Floyd. When the older complains of her corset, proclaims that she'll never wear one. Norma follows Louise's example by flirting with the orphanage's handyman Joseph Schmidt to search the files while the nuns are at mass. He explains over tea that he lost custody of his daughter Greta when her mother died while he was briefly emprisoned after WWI. Broke, Joseph works there to stay close. Norma convinces him to let her into the office another day when the nuns are at mass.

Norma finds a letter from Mary O'Dell in the file, requesting updates of her daughter, which includes a MA address. She offers to pay Joseph in thanks, but he refuses. Louise notices Norma's good mood, who says she's writing an old friend for a visit.

As Ted sees Louise as be a rising-star, he often singles her out as the one to emulate. His partner and wife Ms. St. Denis suggests he curb his enthusiasm.

At the theatre, Norma is surprised the audience isn't segregated at the show with black performers. As they leave the theatre later, they are both enthralled. Norma's perception of NYC has changed, now accustomed to the hustle and bustle, she suspects Wichita will seem dull on her return. She apologizes for her previous attitude, then explains she married her lawyer Mr. Carlisle when she was orphaned again at 16.

In their rooms, Norma finds Louise's very negative postcard about her, which she'd written before they'd gotten to know each other. When Norma doesn't yell, she explains it doesn't accomplish anything. Another flashback reveals her husband had married her to stifle his homosexuality, but was unsuccessful. Norma threw him out.

Joseph is happily surprised Norma meets him in Central Park, and pleased to unearth she is from Wichita. She gets an answer to her letter, while Louise is invited to perform in Philadelphia. Excited, Norma meets her mother Mary in the park, but quickly gets upset upon realizing she left her as soon as she could and has no interest in future contact.

After the Philly performance rehearsal, Norma discovers Louise is being considered for Denishawn's dance troupe, which includes housing in a boarding house. Miss Ruth reminds Norma the offer is contingent upon Denishawn's positive aesthetic code.

Louise goes out with Floyd to celebrate. When Norma realises she's missing, she and Joseph get her back to their rooms. Drunk, Louise vomits then confesses she's not a virgin, thanks to an older man in Wichita. In the morning, hungover, she wants to call in sick, but Norma won't let her blow her shot. Floyd tries to apologize, but Norma suggests he forget Louise.

Another flashback to Mr. Carlisle has him explaining their divorce, due to his homosexuality, would result in both his murder and her humiliation. She spends the night with at the orphanage. A nun sees her leave in the morning, so later, Joseph and Greta show up at the apartment for the indiscretion. Since Louise is moving in with the troupe so Norma's due to return to Wichita, she proposes he and the girl tag along, telling everyone they're siblings.

In Wichita, 20 years later, Norma finds Louise hiding at her parents' as her career has tanked. Thanking her for her past help, she gives her $100 to return to NYC to start over.

Louise eventually reinvents herself, becoming a best-selling writer. Two of her silent films can still be found today.

Cast

 * Elizabeth McGovern as Norma (The Chaperone)
 * Haley Lu Richardson as Louise Brooks
 * Miranda Otto as Ruth St. Denis
 * Blythe Danner as Mary O'Dell
 * Campbell Scott as Alan Carlisle
 * Géza Röhrig as Joseph
 * Victoria Hill as Myra Brooks
 * Matt McGrath as Raymond
 * Robert Fairchild as Ted Shawn
 * Tyler Weaks as Howard Carlisle
 * Kate Grimes as Ms. Burton
 * Andrew Burnap as Floyd
 * Bill Hoag as Jack
 * Ellen Toland as Greta
 * George Hampe as Earl Carlisle
 * Sean Hudock as Norman Ross
 * Vinson German as Music Hall Man
 * Becky Ann Baker as Lois

Production
In February 2013, it was announced Elizabeth McGovern would star in the film, with Simon Curtis directing from a screenplay by Julian Fellowes, based upon the novel by Laura Moriarty, with McGovern, Curtis, Eli Selden, and Adam Shulman producing under their Anonymous Content banner. Fox Searchlight Pictures would distribute the film. In May 2017, it was announced Michael Engler would direct the film, instead of Curtis, who remained as executive producer on the film. Masterpiece, Altus Media, and Rose Pictures produced the film, with PBS Distribution distributing it. The film received a theatrical release prior to airing on PBS. Victoria Hill, Greg Clark, Luca Scalisi, Rose Ganguzza, Kelly Carmichael and Gary Hamilton also served as producers on the film.

Filming
Principal photography began in August 2017.

Release
The film had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival on September 23, 2018. It was released on March 29, 2019.

Critical reception
The Chaperone holds approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on  reviews, with an average of. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Chaperone is inspired by a potentially interesting real-life story, but loses its sharpest and timeliest angles in the telling." On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 48 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".