Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins Story is a 2021 biographical film that tells the inspiring story of the legendary writer Jackie Collins. Directed by Laura Fairrie, the movie features interviews with Collins' family members, friends, colleagues, and fellow writers, as well as archival footage and dramatic reenactments. The film takes the audience on a journey through Collins' life, from her childhood in London, where she grew up in a dysfunctional family and fell in love with storytelling, to her rise to fame as one of the most successful writers of all time. It explores her struggles and triumphs, her relationships and marriages, and her unwavering determination to succeed in a male-dominated industry.
The film starts with Collins' childhood, where she was inspired by her father, Joe Collins, a popular British theatrical agent who represented some of the biggest stars of the time. Despite his infidelity and his drinking problem, Joe instilled in Jackie a love of show business and a desire to write stories that would captivate people's imaginations. Jackie's mother, Elsa Collins, was a glamorous socialite who struggled with anxiety and depression, and who was often absent from her daughter's life. Nevertheless, Jackie's childhood experiences would provide fertile material for her later writing.
As a young woman, Jackie discovered that she had a talent for writing romance novels, and she quickly established herself as a rising star in the publishing world. However, she soon faced the harsh realities of the industry, where women writers were often dismissed as trivial and unimportant. Undeterred, Jackie continued to write, promoting her books with relentless energy and charm. She also cultivated a persona as a glamorous, confident woman who loved to live life to the fullest.
The film features interviews with some of Collins' closest friends and collaborators, who praise her energy, humor, and generosity. They also reveal that beneath her confident exterior, Jackie was a deeply empathetic and caring person, who was always there to support her loved ones in times of need.
One of the key themes of the film is Collins' feminism and her commitment to empowering women through her writing. Despite criticism from some quarters, Jackie refused to shy away from controversial topics such as sex, power, and ambition, and her books were praised for their feminist themes and complex portrayals of women. She also inspired many women to pursue their dreams and speak their minds, and she was a role model for generations of female writers.
Throughout the film, we see Jackie's relationships with her family members, including her sister Joan Collins, who became a famous actress in her own right. Although their relationship was sometimes fraught, the two sisters shared a deep bond and supported each other through both successes and failures.
Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins Story is a poignant tribute to a woman who defied the odds and became an icon of popular culture. Through her writing and her life, Jackie Collins showed that women can be strong, successful, and unapologetic, and that their stories deserve to be told. With its compelling mix of interviews, archival footage, and dramatic recreations, this film is a must-watch for fans of Collins' work and for anyone who admires trailblazing women who pave the way for others.