Review of Coco Before Chanel (2009) by Maksim B — 02 Feb 2011

Making a biopic of one of the most influential and iconic women of the 20th century is an ambitious goal, achieved in a chic way by director Anne Fontaine.

The life of Gabrielle "Coco" Channel is an extraordinary journey of an orphan girl, who became a mistress, a lover and a fashion icon, symbol of the independent woman. The story is captivating, filled with outstanding cinematography and costumes worth of Academy Award nods. This, however, does not manage to compensate fully for its slower pace and the fact that the connection between the young, ambitious Coco and the successful fashion icon Coco Channel is quite underdeveloped. Director Anne Fountain had focused too much on the period before Chanel's independence instead of the first major steps which made her so famous.

Despite this, the brilliant cast should be credited for its outstanding performances. Audrey Tautou successfully manages to built a performance completely in tune with Coco's character. From e cute French sweetheart she has transformed in a cold, skeptic, self-driven and self-controlling person. Of course, her performance is wonderfully supported by the excellent Benoit Poelvoorde who embodies the bohemian lifestyle of the high-class of this time as Etienne Balsan and the mysterious but tragic character of Alessandro Nivola (Boy Capel).

As a whole, Coco Before Chanel is just a step away from becoming a classic, mainly due to the issues mentioned with regard to the story, but yet, it is an excellent movie with outstanding cast!

Definitely worth-seeing !