Fashion Report Card: 2009 Cannes Film Festival

05/20/09

SHOW THUMBNAILS

From Angelina to Aishwarya, we rate the red carpet fashions from the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival.

Photo by Daniele Venturelli, WireImageRachel Weisz
"Agora" premiere
Grade: A+

Two words described Rachel Weisz in Valentino: tres magnifique!

Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix, Film MagicAngelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
"Inglourious Basterds" premiere
Grade: A

Angelina Jolie channeled classic Hollywood glamour in this Versace chiffon creation. Take our advice Angie: Stick with color and dont go back to black! Brad, of course, looked fantastic in black tie.

Photo by Dominique Charriau, WireImageAbbie Cornish
"Bright Star" premiere
Grade: C

Ruffles and layers and pleats, oh my! Abbie Cornish is a beautiful girl (as boyfriend Ryan Phillippe can attest), but this Toni Maticevski creation had just way too much going on.

Photo by Daniele Venturelli, WireImageAishwarya Rai Bachchan
"Spring Fever" premiere
Grade: A

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan lived up to her reputation as the most beautiful woman in the world in this delicate, baby blue Elie Saab gown.

Photo by Dave Hogan, Getty ImagesElizabeth Banks
"Up" premiere
Grade: C

Elizabeth Banks demonstrated why one shouldn't wear red on the red carpet. Her Armani Prive gown was gorgeous, but completely blended into the ground.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain, Getty ImagesPenelope Cruz
"Broken Embraces" premiere
Grade: A

Penelope Cruz may have been recovering from food poisoning, but she looked lovely in this lilac Marchesa gown.

Photo by Dominique Charriau, WireImageTilda Swinton
"Up" premiere
Grade: B+

It can be challenging to outfit a woman of Tilda Swinton's stature, but this crimson Haider Ackermann dress was flattering and fashionable.

Photo by Tony Barson, WireImageEva Longoria Parker
"Bright Star" premiere
Grade: A-

All eyes were on Eva Longoria Parker and her ice blue Atelier Versace gown. The sculptured bottom was a design masterpiece.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain, Getty ImagesMariah Carey
"Precious" premiere
Grade: B+

Mariah Carey has a tendency to wear things that are too tight or tawdry for the red carpet. This black Dolce & Gabbana number, however, highlighted her famous curves in a classy way.

Photo by Dominique Charriau, WireImageHilary Swank
"Looking for Eric" premiere
Grade: C+

We had mixed feelings about Hilary Swank's Armani Prive gown. We loved the gunmetal color, but the dramatic tiers emphasized her angular frame rather than softening it.

Photo by Tony Barson, WireImageEvangeline Lilly
"Looking for Eric" premiere
Grade: D

Evageline Lilly appeared so strapped down in her ombre Valentino dress that even we felt uncomfortable.

Photo by Dominique Charriau, WireImageDevon Aoki
"Spring Fever" premiere
Grade: A

Devon Aoki looked divine in this violet Alberta Ferretti goddess gown. A wispy up-do completed the look.

Photo by Jeff Vespa, WireImageDiane Kruger
"Inglourious Basterds" premiere
Grade: B-

Diane Kruger was wonderful in white, but the silver embroidery on her Marchesa dress was a bit reminiscent of art store appliques.

Photo by Gareth Cattermole, Getty ImagesSharon Stone
"Inglourious Basterds" premiere
Grade: B+

At 51, Sharon Stone put women half her age to shame with her fab figure. Her black Balmain mini showed off her great gams, but the train was a bit excessive.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain, Getty ImagesMichelle Yeoh
"Vengeance" premiere
Grade: C

We wished Michelle Yeoh kicked butt on the red carpet like she does in her movies, but the bodice on her Roberto Cavalli creation was just way too busy.

Photo by Mike Marsland, WireImageRobin Wright Penn
"Up" premiere
Grade: D

Although Robin Wright Penn's dress was from designer Elie Saab's 2007 collection, it looked terribly dated on her. Her muted styling also didn't work with the flashy frock.

Photo by Tony Barson, WireImageJuliette Binoche
"A Prophet" premiere
Grade: A-

Juliette Binoche's chic nude Christian Dior dress had just the right amount of sparkle.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain, Getty ImagesJoss Stone
"Inglourious Basterds" premiere
Grade: F

With her limp locks, too-short hemline, and watermelon shoes, Joss Stone was Cannes' sole fashion failure.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain, Getty ImagesDita von Teese
"Inglourious Basterds" premiere
Grade: B

Dita von Teese showed off her teeny tiny waist in this Christian Dior couture creation. The dress was cute, but we were hoping for something a little more risque from the burlesque queen.

Photo by Tony Barson, WireImageRosanna Arquette
"Antichrist" premiere
Grade: C

Rosanna Arquette's solid gold sequined dress looked like it belonged on "Solid Gold" -- the 80s dance show.

Who did you think look the best? Did someone get a better grade than they deserved? Let us know by leaving a comment.

30 comments

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  • Rachel wins! She looks beautiful!
    report abuseslillie posted May 22, 2009, 12:50 pm PDT
  • i think eva longoria was the best dressed...she just looked so gorgeous...the color really comments her skin color
    report abuseNikolina posted May 22, 2009, 12:53 pm PDT
  • The dress that Ms. Penn is wearing is actually really beautiful. It needs to be on a body that is not so imaciated, has a not-so-tired face, and a hair do with some pizzaz. She looks bored and it reflects on her looks and what she is wearing. Not the dress' fault.
    report abuseTheisa C posted May 22, 2009, 1:14 pm PDT
  • Abbie Cornish's dress is my fave!!! I also liked Penelope's and Devon's.
    report abuseJenniferF posted May 22, 2009, 1:30 pm PDT
  • Rachael was by far the best dressed
    report abuseLARRY posted May 22, 2009, 4:27 pm PDT
  • aishwarya rai and devon aoki looked absolutely amazing. brad and angelina are sooooo fake they look like barbies the way theyre posed. anyways!! mariah carey also looked stunning.
    report abuseRachel posted May 22, 2009, 4:49 pm PDT
  • Sharon Stone deserved an F
    report abuseDenise B posted May 22, 2009, 4:51 pm PDT
  • I think the commentator was off about 79 % of the time. Hair, make-up and dresses were inconsistant. Too much material overall on most and too little on the minis, come on Sharon that outfit is wrong for any age. Looked like a rooster or other fowl(turkey?) at first glance.
    report abusehmmmmm posted May 22, 2009, 6:13 pm PDT
  • Evangeline looked gorgeous!!!!
    report abuseprongs707 posted May 22, 2009, 9:28 pm PDT
  • every chick except Swank looked good. you people are nuts.
    report abuseT posted May 22, 2009, 10:04 pm PDT
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