Movie Notes: Coco Before Chanel

October 23rd, 2009

Coco Before Chanel

= 4 stars

Starring Audrey Tautou, Benoit Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola
Directed by Anne Fontaine

Synopsis

Biopic documenting fashion designer Coco Chanel’s rise from truly humble beginnings.

The Good

Tautou is about 180 degrees away from anything I’ve seen (obviously, Amelie), playing a bitter, sullen, and withdrawn woman trying to grab onto even the first rung toward success. Simple things like Chanel’s gaze over other people’s wealthy clothing communicates a complex feeling of envy, distaste, fascination, and learning.
Contemplates the source of creativity. The source of Chanel’s talent is kept tantalizingly enigmatic, it could be natural, person ambition, or inspired by heartbreak.
None of Chanel’s famous designs are truly displayed until one late scene, yet it feels like a smart move to save their display until then.

The Bad

Sags in the middle, in retrospect it took a long time to document not very much in the larger scheme of things.
Inspired me to find a Chanel biography, but this could be seen as a failing of the film for not providing the entire picture.

Conclusion

In all respects a three star film, but as with Priceless, Tautou earns that extra star. Recommended.