Review of Coco Before Chanel (2009) by Borka M — 16 May 2010

Directed by Anne Fontaine, based upon the book by Edmonde Charles-Roux, Coco Before Chanel is a biographical tale of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel set a timeline which is just that, the era before she founded the her fashion empire. So for those who are more intrigued about the fashion world and the impact Chanel has on it, this is not the movie for you. It dwells firmly on the real Coco, the Coco before the glitz and the glamour. It also tells heavily of her romantic dalliances with the two men who played the most significant roles in her life, those who fueled her passion to make a name for herself.

The film revolved mainly around Coco's awakening toward the French high society. Through a bout of fortune, she inadvertently becomes mistress to the rich playboy, Etienne Balsan (Benoit Poelvoorde). He, in a way, rescues her from a life of poverty and scarcity. His riches afforded her access to the idle lifestyles of the rich and famous, though, not without providing trials and tribulations of its own. The audience, too, is reminded of how stifling a woman's place in high society was during the turn of the century; of how it was made worse by the restrictive clothing of the day such as corsets, frills, and lace. Coco's disdain and penchant for freedom led to bold designs that did not conform, starting with her hats, which dutifully provided her minor notoriety in her early years. Coco knows the boundaries put on her by society, and yet, she is fearless throughout. She learns to conquer, earning respect and power along the way.

This film is very successful not only because it concentrates on the politics of the time, but it spends a considerable amount of time delving in to the unknown side of the beloved icon as well as into her most cherished relationships. It is a joy to see her in love and it's inspiring to see how she manages to rise through those critical moments of her life. There is fire in Tautouâ??s performance, wrought with spirit and an elegance rarely seen in the movies of today. Her poise is not only the result of the gorgeous set direction and costuming, but rather of the artistic genius brought forth by herself and superior direction by Antoine. The work of Antoine and Tautou in this film is beyond groundbreaking. Their portrayal of how a young woman grows in her perception and understanding of what it is like being a female in the early 20th century leaves me without words.

The last 15 minutes of the movie are practically unforgettable as Coco experiences a multitude of emotions, from intense and unbridled romantic love to a relentless intensity that now accompanies her desire to become the best. Seeing her sitting on the stairs as the movie ends, and watching her expressions change is the stuff most performers hope they can achieve just once in a lifetime. Not to mention, the resemblance between our leading lady and that of the real Chanel is merely astounding. Cotillard brought to life yet another perplexing icon and was able to walk away boasting nearly every accolade for her masterful work. Taotou continues to show the marvelous essence of French performers, putting together a performance that inspires us to believe there is still some wistful magic left in the movie industry as a whole.