The bigger the better: Cate Blanchett went for an edgy design by the late Alexander McQueen (left) while juror Kate Beckinsale wore a lilac Marchesa creationThe new Robin Hood film kicked off the Cannes Film Festival with a bang last night, as Hollywood A-listers pulled out the biggest dresses they could find.
The film's leading lady Cate Blanchett, 40, found her black, silver and white Alexander McQueen dress overpowered by juror Kate Beckinsale and guest Eva Longoria's huge ballgowns with long trains at the gala screening yesterday.
English rose Beckinsale, 36, divided fashion critics with her fluffy lilac asymmetrical Marchesa design and beehive.
An observer on the red carpet, French of course, spluttered and declared the frock 'a disaster'.
The woman added: 'Look at that train. It looks as if a baby chick has hatched and hitched a lift all those ruffles and feathers.'
Looking decidedly bridal-like was Desperate Housewives star Longoria, who attended the screening of the £130million movie alongside Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai as a guest of her employer L'Oreal.
The diminutive actress, 35, was dwarfed by her huge white off-the-shoulder silk Pucci gown with long train.
Feeling bridal? Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria wore a show-stopping white ruffled Pucci gown with long train
Glamour: Blanchett's gown was set off with white netting underneath, while Beckinsale was surrounded by lilac rufflesAlso bringing some Hollywood glamour to proceedings were Oscar winner Dame Helen Mirren, Mexican actress Salma Hayek and Australian singer/actress Natalie Imbruglia.
While Dame Helen, 64, kept it simple in a sleek black dress, Imbruglia, 35, added some colour with a pink Alberta Ferretti creation
Also in attendance was the film's leading man Russell Crowe, who looked dapper in a black Giorgio Armani suit as he walked up the red carpet with his singer wife Danielle Spencer, who shimmered in a white beaded Armani Prive halterneck.
Missing out on his big moment was director Ridley Scott, who is recovering from a knee operation.
He said in a statement: 'It is with the most sincere regret that I am required to miss the opening night.
Full-length and fabulous: Indian actress Aishwarya Rai looked stunning in a lilac Elie Saab dress (left), while Mexican actress Salma Hayek sizzled in a burgundy Gucci Premiere gown
Opening the festival: (L-R) Festival delegate Thierry Fremaux, French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand, Russell Crowe, Danielle Spencer, Brian Grazer and his girlfriend and Blanchett'I recently underwent knee replacement surgery and my recovery has been slower than I’d hoped.
Truly, doctor’s orders are the only thing that could keep me from being there.
'My disappointment is tempered by the fact that Brian, Russell, Cate and the rest of the cast will be on hand to represent the film. I send them all my best wishes in opening this year’s Festival with our film.'
Robin Hood looks set to be one of the year's big blockbusters, with Crowe and Ridley Scott reuniting following their previous work together on Gladiator.
Earlier today, Crowe had offered a 'full and frank assessment' of England's chances at the World Cup, particularly against Australia.
Keeping it simple: Dame Helen Mirren in a sleek black Elie Saab dress (left), while Natalie Imbruglia wore Alberta Ferretti
Starry: Mistress of ceremonies Kristin Scott-Thomas shimmered in a lilac column gown, while Israeli socialite Hofit Golan and French actress Julie Delpy matched the red carpet with their rouge gownsHe denied being anti-English, especially having just played one of England's great mythical heroes, Robin Hood.
He also apologised for the film's lack of historical accuracy.
The Oscar winning actor said, 'Aside from some dates and names, everything is wrong. It's a film about someone who didn't exist so there was little to be inaccurate about.'
The film opens in the UK and worldwide this week and it will have to take hundreds of millions of pounds just to break even.
Coupled up: Robin Hood star Russell Crowe and his wife Danielle Spencer (left) and co-star Matthew MacFadyen and his wife Keeley Hawes
Tough decisions: Crowe and Blanchett join this year's jury panelHowever, the winning combination of Crowe at his derring-do best and Blanchett in feisty form ensures that audiences will be well entertained.
The film's other stars Oscar Isaac, Danny Huston and Matthew MacFadyen with his wife Keeley Hawes were also at the opening gala.
Kristin Scott Thomas was the evening's mistress of ceremonies and she introduced the Robin Hood actors plus the jury led by Tim Burton, the panel's president.
Other highlights at the 12-day event include Oliver Stone's much-anticipated Wall Street sequel, Money Never Sleeps.
The world's a stage: Beckinsale works her magic for the world's paparazzisource :dailymail