Review of Coco Before Chanel (2009) by Remote G — 23 Jan 2011

3: Quality French filmmaking. However, when comparing it to another costume drama I watched earlier the same night, there is little question Coco Before Chanel is the better film, yet I rate The Young Victoria higher, albeit barely.

I'd have to say this is simply because I'm far more fascinated with English costume dramas than I am with their French counterparts. Granted, there are definite exceptions, such as Ridicule, but on the whole I'd much rather learn of the British aristocracy than of the French fashion industry.

Of course, there are other differences in subject matter and genre elements between the two films that influence my enjoyment and rating. Tautau gives a superb performance and plays against her obvious strengths in the process.

She shies away from making Coco too lovable, and instead keeps her hard-edged and determined the whole way through. As interesting as I thought this story was, I'd have appreciated a bit more Chanel and a bit less Coco.

The origin story is great, but since I've never seen the other side of the coin, it was perhaps less revelatory for me than for those intimately aware of her career and life story. Still, it's an interesting world filled with very watchable characters, great costumes, and very different choices/sacrifices as far as women are concerned.

I found it fascinating that of the films I've watched recently, six of them have focused on women's choices, or lack thereof: Precious, Easy Virtue, Out of Africa, It's Complicated, Coco Before Chanel, and The Young Victoria.

I'll definitely be watching this one again at some point, but I do so wish there were a part two. Happily, this was eventually supplied by Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky, which in my opinion is the superior film.

It's hard to imagine that Chanel as this Coco.