Year: 1966
Runtime: 101 mins
Language: French
Director: William Klein
This biting satire of the fashion world follows 20‑year‑old Brooklyn native Polly Maggoo, a model navigating Paris runway shows dominated by opinion‑shaping editor Ms. Maxwell. As the absurd is presented as high art, Polly appears in the shallow TV documentary series “Qui êtes‑vous?” and is pursued by an eager filmmaker and the prince of Borodine, a tiny Soviet‑bloc nation.
Get a spoiler-free look at Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? (1966) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In an impeccably stylized Paris that feels both runway and stage, the fashion industry is presented as a self‑aware circus where the line between art and absurdity is deliberately blurred. Designers parade impossible metallic ensembles that resemble armor more than clothing, and every journalist seems eager to turn a glossy surface into a profound proclamation. The atmosphere is sharp, witty, and unapologetically satirical, turning the glittering world of haute couture into a mirror that reflects both its brilliance and its emptiness.
At the center of this glittering maelstrom is Polly Maggoo, a twenty‑year‑old American model whose sudden rise turns her into the most talked‑about figure in the city. Fresh from Brooklyn, she possesses a poise that feels almost preternatural, making her the perfect canvas for a culture that thrives on projection. Though surrounded by adoration and speculation, Polly hints at a quiet curiosity about love, identity, and meaning beyond the flash of the cameras, suggesting a depth that the industry is eager to overlook.
The intrigue deepens when a sleek television crew, led by the smug journalist Jean‑Jacques Georges, arrives to film a documentary called “Qui êtes‑vous ?” Their intent—to strip away the gloss and reveal the person beneath—becomes another performance, highlighting the pretensions of both the filmmaker and the subject. Around Polly swirl figures like the enigmatic couturier Isidore Ducasse, whose creations push the boundaries of fashion into spectacle, and the earnest yet distant Prince Igor of the fictional Borodine, whose fascination adds a fairy‑tale layer to the already surreal tableau.
All of these elements combine to create a film that feels like a stylish interrogation of fame itself. The tone is biting yet playful, inviting the audience to question how much of what we see is crafted illusion versus genuine self. As the cameras continue to hover, the lingering question remains: who is Polly when the lights dim, and what truths might she be silently demanding from a world that refuses to look beyond its own reflections?
Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:24
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Playful films that use irony and dreamlike logic to critique society's obsessions.Find movies like Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? that use a playful, ironic tone to satirize contemporary society. If you enjoyed the dreamlike critique of the fashion and media world, you'll appreciate these similar stories that challenge artifice and question identity with a light, witty touch.
Stories in this thread often follow a character—an outsider, an ingenue, or a cog in the machine—as they navigate a world governed by absurd rules. The plot is less about a traditional arc and more about a series of satirical vignettes that expose the hypocrisy and emptiness of a particular system, often leaving the protagonist's fate ambiguous.
These movies are grouped by their unique blend of a whimsical tone with sharp, satirical content. They share a specific mood: critical yet playful, observational yet dreamlike. The pacing is typically steady, allowing the absurdity to unfold without rushing, and the emotional weight is moderate, balancing critique with a sense of ironic detachment.
Stories of individuals whose sense of self is consumed by a glittering, artificial world.Discover films similar to Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? that explore themes of identity and image within glamorous but hollow worlds. If you were fascinated by Polly's journey as a model questioning her reality, you will find compelling narratives here about the cost of fame and the search for self amidst artifice.
The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often young or inexperienced, being pulled into a world of glamour and surfaces. As they become a symbol or an object for others' projections, their own identity becomes fragmented. The conflict is internal and existential, centering on the question 'Who am I?' when the outside world only sees a constructed image. The ending often reflects this ambiguity, without a clear resolution.
These films are united by their deep thematic focus on the commodification of identity and the conflict between reality and performance. They share a specific mood blend: a surface-level glitter undercut by a core of melancholy. The pacing is steady, allowing for reflection, and the complexity is moderate, dealing with layered themes rather than convoluted plots.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? (1966) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
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