A liquid-crystal variable retarder has first and second liquid-crystal cells with respective first and second thicknesses, the second thickness being less than the first thickness. A feedback sensor provides a feedback signal indicative of a retardance of the liquid-crystal variable retarder. A controller is coupled to the feedback sensor and the first and second liquid-crystal cells. The controller is operable to apply a first signal to the first liquid-crystal cell based on a target retardance trajectory and a feedforward control model. The controller applies a second signal to the second liquid-crystal cell based on the feedback signal and the target retardance trajectory.