CANNES WATCH: Michelle Rodriguez rules “Mad Max: Fury Road” red carpet in Zuhair Murad

CANNES, France – Michelle Rodriguez ruled the “Mad Max: Fury Road” red carpet in a skin-skimming long-sleeved evening gown with floral paillette embroidery by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad.

The “Furious 7” star stunned with the black dress, which was cut to expose both sides of her waist. It was backless save for an intricate deign that ran up the small of her back.

She had stiff competition. The film’s star, Charlize Theron, was a vision in her canary yellow strapless Dior gown, while Fan Bing Bing turned heads in a grey tulle gown by Marchesa, with billowing sleeves and flowing feather and crystal bouquets that evoked springtime clouds and blossoms.

It wasn’t just ladies who impressed Thursday. Earlier in the day, John C. Reilly was the definition of dapper at a photo-call for Matteo Garrone’s macabre fantasy “Tale of Tales” in a cream three-piece suit, matching hat and cane, set off by two-tone brown-and-white leather brogues.

—By Jill Lawless, http://Twitter.com/JillLawless