talisencrw
I really enjoyed this. Anne Fontaine really did a fine job of showing the trials and tribulations, the ordeals that Coco had to go through in order to be vastly successful. Probably one of my fifty favourite films by a female director.The film grew over its course as she herself bloomed and gained more self-confidence, and was a sumptuous delight with ravishing and inspired performance by Audrey Tautou. Beautiful to look at and with wonderful soundtrack too, showing the multi-faceted beauty, both inside and out, of the amazing French woman. She is always watchable, gorgeous and fervently likable--and was a fine choice to do the portrayal. This was Important in showing that she was nobody's wife, mistress or fool, and was one of the best in coming from awful circumstances which could have crippled others, but through discovering and believing in herself became an icon without peer.
Engine_Ear
There's not a lot of action or dramatic tension in this movie, but there is a story to tell, though subtle, and it is intelligent and utterly convincing of time and place. It is very good.The direction, the cinematography, the score, the acting are all excellent. But the star of the movie is Audrey Tatou, as a woman born with a sense of self and style, almost against her will, who uses those traits to climb through fin-de-siecle French society to, ultimately, become an icon of what most would consider the beginning of modern times. She shifts effortlessly from the angry, self-absorbed youth with an attitude, to a mature women liberated by her lover, through heartbreak to triumph. As another reviewer has noted, the last 15 minutes or so are a master class in emotional range. Never a false note. She's so good that it's easy to forget that she's acting. In the final scene, the cinematography, the score, and Ms. Tatou combine into an unforgettable moment. She is convincing and compelling.
Haynoosh
Before watching this film Coco Chanel was for me just a designer,a couturiere, a great one of course.The importance of this film for me was in revealing first of all the personality behind the designer and most importantly her significance and role in shaping the identity of the modern woman.After watching this film she became for me not just a creator of clothes or style but the creator of new,modern,contemporary woman.She has been a breakthrough a turning point forever dividing the social,existential identity of women before and after her.By focusing on the course of her life from the early years of childhood passed in the orphanage to her introduction to the elite Parisian society; the film shows the evolution of Coco a seamstress and singer of second rate cabarets,the girl unrecognized and overshadowed by the aristocracy,to the Parisian woman who has earned the respect and recognition of the same "elite" society who once considered her an outsider.By following her personal life, like her stay at the castle of Etienne Balsan we see how the definition of a woman according to her has been shaped and what have been her challenges in establishing the image of the modern woman. Her breaking the rules of what was considered to be the merits of femininity,like her passion for horse riding,which led her to preference of more simple and practical tendance of clothing and wearing trousers,the film shows the sources of her inspirations,for example in her visit to the sea with the man she loved,she notices the fishermen,their lifestyle,their clothes and from there comes the iconic blue and white striped fisherman tops,one of her trademarks.The film shows us how through her silent observations she creates a revolution,a movement within the lifestyle and social status of women.She not only frees women from wearing corsets ,but allows them to breath the fresh air, the air of daring to be recognized as a woman in a plain little black dress.By following the genie of a woman Coco before Chanel shows us how in the first glance an ordinary and simple work like making dresses can be a great contribution to the creation of modern times.
Tim Kidner
Handsome and chic, plus the lovely Audrey Tatou to portray Coco Chanel, what more could you want?This lavishly mounted, expensive looking biopic plays out nicely and smoothly, the story interesting and with some great dialogue. England described as 'a big, green and grey thing, with rain' for instance. Yes, it's in French and subtitled, as a French film about a French fashion icon should be.There's delightful exuberance in Benoit Poelvoorde's portrayal of playboy and Coco's wealthy friend Etienne Balsan and his horsey pals in his country retreat. His contacts lead her to re-design the clothes of the society women he attracts and allow her a sneak preview as to what she might want to do with herself and a contrast to the amateur singing act she had years before. Many points were hinted at as to how only men had the influence and money to control women and how Chanel was the first to not only front her own company but to maintain that until her death.Somehow though, there's a lack of emotional connection with either Tatou, or the film. It's like a picture book, flicked through but few scenes are that memorable, or engrossing. Maybe the original character didn't have the interesting ups and downs and emotional breakdowns to provide that depth but otherwise, this is a great, well-made biopic that can be appreciated by an audience far wider than those purely interested in Chanel, the brand or her legacy.
AD
