The black town car glides to a stop outside the legendary Chateau Marmont, its tinted windows reflecting the muted afternoon light that has made this stretch of Sunset Boulevard mythical. When the door opens, Tama Leia emerges with the cinematic grace of someone who understands the power of a perfectly orchestrated entrance. Dark sunglasses shield her eyes as she moves with the quiet confidence of her latest protagonist, Chanel Laurent, as if she’s stepped directly from the pages of
Marmont & Me, into the very setting that inspired it.
This is no accident. Leia, the Paris-based literary sensation who has captivated readers across continents, doesn’t simply write about glamour—she embodies it. Born in Los Angeles but refined by years in the City of Light, she carries herself with that rare combination of American ambition and European sophistication that defines today’s global elite. Her Harvard studies, completed as the world stood still, were not an escape from her artistic destiny but a sophisticated preparation for the literary empire she was already envisioning.
Possessing that timeless elegance that defines true literary figures, Leia has built an impressive literary body of work through her French-named publishing company, Fleur Bleue, releasing multiple celebrated novels that have established her as one of contemporary literature’s most compelling voices. Her breakthrough novel, The Romantic, transformed her from promising poet to bestselling author almost overnight. But it’s Marmont & Me that feels like her most personal triumph yet—a love letter to the intoxicating atmosphere of old Hollywood glamour, written by someone who has learned to navigate both artistic integrity and commercial success with equal finesse.
She’s dressed in the kind of effortless elegance that speaks fluent French—a cream silk blouse layered under a black cashmere sweater, flowing fabric below that moves like poetry—details that suggest both comfort and luxury. But it’s the flash of her diamond ring as she adjusts her sunglasses that stops time for a moment. The stone rivals the rare diamond that plays such a pivotal role in Marmont & Me, and one can’t help but wonder if life is imitating art, or if art has always been imitating her carefully curated life.
The conversation turns to her philosophy as a storyteller, and her response is immediate and heartfelt. Settling into the hotel’s legendary lobby where so many cinematic legends have held court before her, she speaks with that distinctive blend of West Coast warmth and Parisian elegance. “The most powerful stories are the ones that make you braver,” she says simply, removing her sunglasses to reveal eyes that suggest she’s speaking from experience. Behind that blue gaze one senses the strategic mind of an entrepreneur who has mastered the delicate art of transforming beauty into business, vulnerability into strength—a woman whose blossoming bestselling status feels less like sudden fortune and more like destiny finally catching up to talent.
“Writing is my favorite thing in the world because it’s that sacred space where I learned how to turn my vulnerabilities into power.” The diamond catches the afternoon light streaming through the famous windows, a tangible reminder of how far she’s traveled from struggling artist to literary force.
When conversation turns to her personal life, her smile becomes more guarded, more mysterious. For readers familiar with her work, there’s always been the intriguing sense that her romantic fiction draws deeply from lived experience—that each novel represents not just storytelling but a kind of literary archaeology of the heart.
“Jo-Pierre understands that writers need mystery, even in love. He gives me the space to disappear into my work and the anchor to come home to.” She pauses, fingers unconsciously touching the ring. “I call him by his nom de plume, ‘Jo-Pierre,’ because some things are too precious for public consumption. He’s my most beautiful secret.”
In Leia’s hands, love becomes literature and heartbreak transforms into art. Each relationship doesn’t just end—it evolves, finding new life on the page where private pain becomes universal beauty.
Our conversation shifts to the impressive architecture of her achievements, and her perspective reveals as much about her character as her earlier confessions. It’s this same protective instinct—this understanding of what should remain private versus public—that seems to guide her approach to fame itself.
What she’s accomplished—multiple bestselling novels, creative independence through her own imprint, homes spanning continents—seems to sit lightly on her shoulders. But perhaps what’s most impressive isn’t the accolades but the sovereignty: through Fleur Bleue, she’s constructed something rarer than bestseller status—complete artistic autonomy. She decides what gets published, when, and under what terms, creating a literary kingdom where her creative vision never has to compromise.
“Success is earning the right to rule my creative kingdom. I alone decide what’s worthy of my artistic attention,” she reflects, and in that moment, surrounded by the ghosts of Hollywood’s golden age, Tama Leia proves that the most magnetic women are those who have learned to be simultaneously accessible and untouchable. This sophisticated understanding of feminine power permeates every page of Marmont & Me, particularly in how she crafts her protagonist’s alluring complexity.
The Elizabeth Taylor Effect
“You remind me of Elizabeth Taylor,” declares Marmont Augustus, the enigmatic Academy award winning actor and director at the heart of Leia’s novel, to protagonist Chanel Laurent as she emerges from the hotel’s legendary pool. It’s a comparison that resonates throughout the novel—not merely for its obvious glamour, but for what it represents: that rare combination of strength and vulnerability, beauty and substance that defined Taylor’s enduring appeal.
The comparison runs deeper than surface beauty. Like Taylor, Laurent embodies a fearless authenticity that refuses to be diminished by circumstance. “She had that rare gift of being both extraordinarily beautiful and deeply human,” Marmont observes, and it’s this duality that makes both women magnetic—commanding attention without demanding it, wearing fame like a well-tailored garment rather than a costume.
The Authenticity Beneath the Glamour
Perhaps the novel’s most compelling revelation comes in Marmont’s confession about his humble beginnings—his revelation of dawn commutes on three different buses to reach Beverly Crest Preparatory Academy, a worn backpack heavy with dog-eared scripts, the determined climb from South Central’s streets to Hollywood’s heights. “When you grow up in South Central,” he tells Chanel, “you learn pretty quickly that nothing’s going to be handed to you.”
This confession reframes everything we thought we knew. The impeccable tailoring, the seemingly effortless sophistication, that magnetic presence that commands every room—these aren’t birthright privileges but carefully constructed armor, each element earned through relentless dedication. When Chanel recognizes she’s witnessing “not just another chapter in some glittering fairy tale” but “the raw honesty of someone who understands the precise cost of every achievement,” we see how genuine intimacy emerges not from shared privilege but from shared recognition of struggle’s transformative power.
This revelation becomes the novel’s emotional cornerstone, proving that the most seductive luxury of all might be finding someone who truly comprehends the beauty of the journey—not just the destination.
The Language of Shared References
Leia masterfully captures how shared cultural references become the DNA of intimate connection. When Marmont and Chanel effortlessly exchange lines from “The Great Gatsby,” they’re not performing their literary credentials—they’re weaving an exclusive dialect that belongs only to them. These flashes of mutual recognition serve as emotional shortcuts, revealing soul-deep compatibility in ways that traditional courtship rituals never could.
Chanel’s observation that cinematic dialogue has always been the rhythm beneath her prose illuminates how we become living collages of the art we consume. In an era where romance apps reduce attraction to swipeable algorithms, there’s something profoundly seductive about two minds discovering their natural harmony through impromptu literary tennis matches—each perfectly timed reference becoming another thread in an invisible tapestry of understanding.
This spontaneous cultural choreography suggests that the most authentic connections emerge not from calculated compatibility but from those electric moments when two people realize they’ve been reading from the same invisible script all along.
Living Like Royalty
Leia’s prose luxuriates in the sensory details of high-end luxury mapping the “seamless choreography” of the world’s elite with philosophical charm.
Marmont and Chanel’s morning rituals beside the legendary pool transform ordinary indulgence into something approaching poetry: the silk of perfectly poached eggs yielding to silver, velvety, smooth coffee releasing its dark perfume into desert air, California light fracturing through swaying palms to paint geometric patterns across marble and skin. Leia doesn’t simply describe luxury—she choreographs it, creating prose that functions as both window and invitation into a realm where the mundane dissolves and every moment carries the weight of deliberate beauty.
The Currency of Diamonds and Dreams
When the conversation turns to Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary diamond collection, there’s a deeper truth being explored. “Perhaps I should start collecting diamonds then…” Chanel teases, only to receive the response: “You deserve nothing less… though I suspect, like Taylor, you’d value the sentiment behind them more than the carats themselves.”
It’s a moment that encapsulates the novel’s sophisticated understanding of luxury—that true elegance lies not in acquisition but in appreciation, not in what we possess but in how we carry ourselves through the world.
The Architecture of Romance
What makes Marmont & Me particularly compelling is how Leia uses the geography of glamour to tell her story. Los Angeles becomes a character with its own personality—that “particular quality of warm air that somehow manages to be both inviting and evaluating.” The city’s duality mirrors the central relationship: welcoming yet assessing, promising transformation while demanding proof of worthiness.
The transition from the Chateau’s old-world elegance to Santa Monica’s coastal sophistication, from intimate poolside conversations to the hushed privacy of Giorgio Baldi’s hidden dining alcove—each location serves as a stage for different aspects of their evolving connection.
The Paris Proposal: When Harry Winston Meets True Romance
Perhaps no scene in contemporary fiction captures the essence of sophisticated romance quite like Chanel’s proposal in the hushed elegance of Harry Winston’s private salon near Place Vendôme. Leia’s masterful handling of this pivotal moment—surrounded by the winter light of Paris and the discreet luxury of one of the world’s most exclusive jewelers—elevates what could have been a predictable scene into something genuinely breathtaking.
“I had planned a more elaborate speech,” Marmont confesses, “but now that we’re here, I find I only want to speak simply and truthfully.” It’s this restraint, this understanding that true luxury lies in authenticity rather than ostentation, that makes the moment resonate. The “Elizabeth Taylor-sized diamond” isn’t just a status symbol—it’s a testament to seeing and honoring someone’s true worth.
In a world of fast fashion and faster romance, this novel offers something increasingly rare: the luxury of taking time, the elegance of genuine connection, and the timeless appeal of a love story worth telling.
The Art of Intimate Luxury
The couple’s mornings in Paris, “wrapped in cashmere blankets against the December chill,” their discovery of bookshops “with creaking wooden floors,” their ability to find magic in both grand gestures and quiet moments—this is luxury as lifestyle rather than mere consumption.
The inscription inside Chanel’s engagement ring—”For all scenes, in all seasons”—becomes a philosophy of love that transcends the material. It’s an understanding that true partnership isn’t just for perfect moments but for the full spectrum of human experience.
The Art of Elegant Warfare
Every compelling story demands a formidable antagonist, and Leia delivers one for the ages in Nadia—a character who embodies sophisticated menace and transforms every scene into a masterclass in psychological manipulation. Leia draws clear inspiration from Meryl Streep’s iconic Miranda Priestly, creating a woman who understands that the most devastating attacks come wrapped in perfect manners and designer clothing. Nadia’s possessiveness over Marmont operates like a chess game played in couture—each move calculated, each smile a strategy, each ‘accidental’ encounter a carefully orchestrated disruption.
Fashion as Emotional Armor
Leia transforms fashion into a weapon of psychological warfare throughout the novel. When Nadia appears “as if for a photo shoot rather than a casual welcome,” her impeccable presentation serves as armor and ammunition—each carefully chosen detail designed to intimidate and control. Most chillingly, Nadia even weaponizes her young daughters, dressing them in matching pea coats for her unexpected arrival on the film set—turning innocent children into living props in her psychological theater.
In Leia’s hands, clothing becomes a sophisticated code where every thread tells a story. Her use of luxury and fashion carries the same cinematic weight as a James Bond film or the classic movies she grew up watching with her parents, like Roman Holiday—where every costume choice elevates the narrative and every accessory serves the story. The characters don’t simply get dressed—they construct identities, create perceptions. This literary style adds a compelling dimension to the novel’s central tension between genuine emotion and calculated performance.
The Paris Sanctuary
Leia’s intimate knowledge of Paris—where she currently resides—infuses every detail of Marmont and Chanel’s sanctuary with lived authenticity. The specificity of Rue Saint-Honoré, the way she captures the city’s ability to offer anonymity to the famous, feels less like research and more like personal observation.
This insider’s understanding of Paris as both home and refuge elevates what could have been a simple romantic interlude into something more profound. When Leia writes about Marmont and Chanel’s reluctance to leave Paris, it represents more than vacation ending; it’s the recognition that they’re about to re-enter a world where their private happiness becomes public commodity, where every gesture is scrutinized and sometimes even weaponized. In those final Parisian hours, there’s a palpable sense of mourning—not just for the end of their romantic escape, but for the end of their precious anonymity that allowed their relationship to breathe and flourish.
The city had become their cocoon, a temporary refuge where Marmont could reveal his most vulnerable self—showing Chanel his Oscar with genuine humility, sharing the sacred space of his Rue Saint-Honoré sanctuary—moments of intimacy that would be impossible under the harsh glare of Hollywood’s spotlight.
Their impending return to Los Angeles feels like a return to a battlefield where their love will be dissected, analyzed, and ultimately used against them.
Yet Leia’s nuanced understanding of Hollywood extends beyond its brutal machinery of fame. While she masterfully captures the industry’s capacity for destruction, she equally appreciates its potential for creative magic. This duality—her ability to see both the battlefield and the artistry that flourishes within it—allows her to render the filmmaking process with the same authentic detail she brings to celebrity culture’s darker corners.
Behind the Scenes: The Democracy of Creative Excellence
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in Leia’s ability to capture the intoxicating atmosphere of high-end film production—that unique ecosystem where artistic vision meets logistical precision. Her description of the Hamptons estate set reveals the particular choreography of filmmaking: “a curious blend of military precision and artistic chaos, where everyone appeared simultaneously rushed and unhurried.”
Through Chanel’s eyes, we see how creative excellence operates at the highest levels. Chanel’s best friend, Lily, who is the on set costume designer, with her “pale Irish skin like porcelain kissed by the first light of dawn,” embodies the novel’s understanding that true talent doesn’t need to announce itself. She “wore her talent with the particular nonchalance of people who have never needed to announce their abilities—like a wildflower that blooms spectacularly without ever wondering if it’s being observed.” This same understated mastery appears in how Leia handles luxury throughout the novel.
The Perfume of Luxury Storytelling
What elevates Marmont & Me beyond typical romance is Leia’s meticulous attention to sensory detail without falling into gratuitous materialism. Her descriptions serve narrative purpose: the “vanilla coconut perfume—harvested from Madagascar pods and Polynesian groves rather than conjured in sterile laboratories” isn’t product placement but character development, revealing someone who values authenticity even in the smallest choices.
The library scene, where Chanel runs “her fingers along the spines of first editions and rare collections, feeling the whispers of countless stories reaching out,” transforms a location into metaphor. She’s not just admiring valuable books—she’s positioning herself within a literary lineage, imagining her own work “nestled among them like a bird finding its rightful place in a centuries-old forest.”
Modern Fairy Tale, Timeless Appeal
In an era when romance often feels fleeting and superficial, Leia offers something more substantial: a love story that understands the difference between infatuation and genuine connection. Her protagonists don’t just fall in love; they recognize each other, creating “a space that was entirely their own” amid the chaos of modern celebrity culture.
The novel’s power lies in its refusal to treat luxury as mere backdrop. Instead, these beautiful settings become the framework for exploring deeper questions about authenticity, creative passion, and what it means to maintain one’s sovereignty in a world that constantly demands compromise.
Marmont & Me arrives at a moment when we’re all craving a return to elegance—not just in fashion or design, but in how we approach relationships, creativity, and self-respect. Leia has crafted a story that satisfies our hunger for glamour while nourishing something deeper: our belief that extraordinary love stories are still possible, that creativity and authenticity can triumph, and that sometimes the most daring role of all is simply becoming ourselves.
EXCERPT (Marmont & Me)
Marmont stood by the car, his magnetic presence drawing a small crowd of eager actors like planets orbiting a star. As I approached, a flutter of anticipation blossomed in my chest, unfurling like a rare flower that blooms only once a decade. Amidst the commotion, I caught sight of Marmont’s gaze lifting, our eyes locking in a moment that felt electric, a current passing between us that made time pause its relentless march, as if the universe itself held its breath. A warm smile spread across his face, illuminating the afternoon like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, revealing the landscape in fresh detail, making everything more vivid, more real.
“Hello Mr. Marmont,” I greeted him, unable to contain my joy as I closed the distance between us, the sound of gravel crunching underfoot like the percussion section of nature’s orchestra, keeping time with my heartbe
“Hello, Miss Chanel,” he replied, his voice rich and warm, wrapping around me like a cozy blanket on the first truly cold night of autumn. “I’m certainly glad to see you again…” His eyes twinkled with recognition, tiny stars caught in earth’s orbit, and I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as I realized he was reciting a line from one of my favorite films, creating a private connection in the midst of this public moment.
“I’m certainly glad to see you as well,” I replied, echoing DiCaprio’s lines from “The Great Gatsby,” our shared love for the film bubbling to the surface like a spring finding its way through stone, creating a secret language between us.
The charm of great film dialogue had always influenced my writing style—those crystallized moments where characters reveal volumes through carefully chosen words. My manuscript was filled with such exchanges, conversations that peeled back layers of pretense to expose raw truth. This mirroring of Gatsby’s lines felt like stepping into my own fiction, where dialogue dances between revelation and concealment.
From that moment on, an undeniable enchantment blossomed between us, weaving an intricate world of connection and shared dreams as delicate and complex as a spider’s silk glistening with morning dew, catching the light in ways that seemed impossible, fragile yet strong enough to endure. As we dove into the project, our paths rarely crossed, each of us lost in the whirlwind of our own responsibilities, like dancers performing different parts of the same ballet, separate yet united by the music that moved us both. But one evening, during our last days in Southampton beneath a sky adorned with stars that seemed to have positioned themselves specifically for our viewing pleasure, arranging themselves into new constellations just for us, we found ourselves amidst the opulence of the grand estate. The air was thick with anticipation, like a symphony poised for its crescendo, the instruments quivering with potential energy, waiting for the conductor’s signal to release their power. The moonlight cast shadows across his face—highlighting his strong jawline and those expressive brown eyes that seemed to hold stories deeper than his polished exterior suggested. His tailored attire accentuated his six-foot frame as he moved with a quiet confidence, each step deliberate yet fluid. We found a quiet spot away from the cast party, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses becoming distant background noise.
“Is there anything you can’t do?” I asked as we strolled through the gardens, genuinely curious about the man beneath the carefully crafted image. Marmont’s laugh held a warmth that seemed to come from somewhere authentic. “You’d be surprised,” he said, his eyes reflecting something vulnerable beneath their confidence. “This,” he gestured to his impeccable clothes, “wasn’t always me. Back in high school, I was the kid who woke up at 4 AM to catch the first bus across town.”
“Really?” I asked, intrigued by this glimpse behind the curtain.
He nodded, his gaze distant with memory. “Three buses, actually. My mom was determined I’d go to Beverly Crest Preparatory Academy instead of our neighborhood school. I’d fall asleep on that first bus every morning with my head against the window.” His voice softened. “Used to get home after dark too, especially during winter. But that school had the only decent theater program in the district, so…”
“That’s dedication,” I said, seeing him in a new light. “Most teenagers can barely drag themselves out of bed for an 8 AM class down the street.”
“When you grow up in South Central, you learn pretty quickly that nothing’s going to be handed to you,” he said, no self-pity in his voice, just matter-of-fact certainty. “My Broadway performances and award winning films might leave audiences spellbound now, but back then, I was just a kid with a backpack full of scripts practicing monologues on public transit.”
As we continued walking, I found myself captivated not by his glamour but by the journey that had shaped him—the early mornings, the long rides between worlds, the determination that had transformed a boy from one of LA’s poorest neighborhoods into the man beside me.
“Each role is like a new journey,” he continued, “and when I step into that spotlight, I remember that kid on the bus—how far I’ve come, how much further I want to go.”
When our lips finally met beneath the stars, it wasn’t the polished movie star I was kissing, but the man who had fought for every opportunity, who understood what it meant to want something badly enough to wake before dawn and cross a city to reach it. In that moment, I understood that I wasn’t just part of some glamorous New York fantasy—I was sharing something real with someone who knew the value of every step that had brought him here.
Marmont & Me REVIEWS
“Such a stylish, smart read. It blends romance, drama, and self-discovery in a way that feels fresh and cinematic. Loved the character growth, the emotional tension, and the vibe—like a classy film you don’t want to end.”
– Isa
“This book was such a find! I loved the way it weaves together themes of love, creativity, and personal freedom. Chanel’s journey from L.A. to New York really drew me in, and the way she develops her character throughout the story is just lovely. The relationship with Marmont felt genuine and well-paced, not rushed at all.
The writing is so atmospheric, like you can really feel the different cities and their vibes. The tension with Marmont’s ex adds a nice layer of complexity. It’s not just a straightforward love story—it’s about finding yourself too. I found myself reflecting on my own choices while reading.”
– Alice Garcia
Captivating and beautifully written
“I don’t even know where to start. Marmont & Me is not just a love story… it’s an inner journey, a mirror for those who loved too much, for those who put themselves aside, and then had the courage to rewrite themselves.
Chanel is a protagonist who has kidnapped me: refined, intense, authentic. His transformation, from a wounded wife to the woman who regains her voice in the world of cinema, is told with fierce delicacy. I felt there with her — between Manhattan and Paris, amidst her hesitations and her rebirths — wondering what it really means to be free.
The connection with Marmont… wow. So cerebral, so deep, so human. A love that comes from words, from the exchange of souls even before gestures. But then comes the silent, elegant, lethal threat. And there everything changes.
This story is a continuous dance between aesthetics and truth, between desire and dignity. It’s not a glossy fairytale: it’s a lucid, bittersweet confession that stages the strength of a woman who chooses herself, even when the price seems very high.
Read it. Marmont & Me is a caress for those who dream and a reminder for those who have forgotten how much they are worth.”
– Luca D. (Italy)
5.0 out of 5 stars
A novel that digs into you, like a caress that turns into a fist to the heart.
“Marmont & Me captured my imagination instantly, pulling me into an elegant world of cinema, complicated love, and profound personal growth. Chanel’s journey through creative rediscovery and emotional independence resonated deeply, highlighting the delicate balance between self-love and romantic passion. Tama Leia’s sophisticated storytelling and beautifully drawn settings made this novel feel like a luxurious escape with heartfelt emotional depth.”
– Jason C Edwards
A luxurious, captivating journey of love and self-discovery.
“Marmont & Me by Tama Leia is a lush, introspective journey through the glittering worlds of film, fashion, and emotional reinvention. After her marriage to the charismatic but emotionally distant Grey Fitzgerald dissolves, Chanel Laurent finds herself thrust into a new chapter—one where creativity and self-discovery take center stage. As she begins a professional collaboration with visionary director Marmont Augustus on A New York Love Story, their intellectual chemistry gives rise to something deeper, challenging Chanel to reclaim her voice not only on the page but in her life.
Set against the elegant backdrops of Manhattan, Paris, Los Angeles, and more, the novel gracefully explores the complex balance between romantic connection and personal sovereignty. When Marmont’s calculating ex-partner emerges as a quiet but dangerous rival, Chanel must decide whether the creative and emotional intimacy she’s found is worth the cost of her autonomy. Leia’s prose is rich and cinematic, delivering a compelling meditation on the kind of love that elevates—and the kind that erodes.”
– Keelerlicious
“A beautifully layered story that reads like a love letter to creative women reclaiming their voices. Chanel’s transformation is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, woven through cinematic prose and unforgettable moments. Tama Leia captures the nuance of emotional sovereignty with grace and insight. This book lingers long after the final page—stylish, soulful, and utterly unforgettable.”
– Lumious
Elegantly Written and Deeply Empowering
“Marmont & Me is more than a love story—it’s a stunning reflection on what it means to choose yourself without apology. Chanel’s journey is layered, emotional, and deeply relatable for anyone who’s had to balance passion with personal truth. The writing is cinematic and poetic, and the emotional tension feels incredibly real. I closed the book feeling both empowered and moved.”
– Alex Cavill
A Beautifully Written Meditation on Love, Art, and Selfhood
“I was completely swept away by this creation. The writing is elegant and deeply evocative, with a cinematic quality that made every scene feel like it belonged on the big screen. What I loved most was how the author didn’t shy away from the emotional complexity of Chanel’s journey. It’s rare to find a story that balances artistic ambition, romantic tension, and personal growth so masterfully. The dynamic between Chanel and Marmont felt both intelligent and intimate, without relying on clichés.”
– M Paul
A rich, cinematic journey of love, loss, and self
Tama Leia’s masterpiece “Marmont & Me” weaves cinematic luxury and intimate storytelling that resurrects the golden age of Hollywood romance. Through her protagonist’s journey from the iconic Chateau Marmont’s sun-drenched terraces to the snow-kissed bridges of Paris, Leia creates a world where every moment pulses with the sophisticated glamour of a bygone era.
This is luxury literature at its most intoxicating: where the boundaries between life and cinema blur until every kiss feels worthy of a close-up, every conversation sparkles with the wit of the era’s greatest screenwriters, and every setting serves as both backdrop and co-conspirator in a love story that unfolds with all the grandeur and intimacy of Hollywood’s most enduring classics.
