Coco Before Chanel: Film Review

2009-07-02 10:13:25

Coco Before Chanel is a biopic of the famous fashion designer’s early years, before her name became established as a leading label in haute couture. But don’t go expecting to see a feature on Vogue. Although this film is stylish, you do not need to be a follower of Chanel or a fashion devotee to enjoy this film.
    
Illustrates influences that propelled her innovative designs
    
As the title implies; this is a film about Coco’s life, from her life in an orphanage, to becoming a saloon entertainer, a wealthy mistress and briefly finishing with the success of her first fashion show. The film illustrates Coco’s upbringing and surroundings; influences that propelled the innovative designs she would later create.
    
The film mainly focuses on Coco’s years spent living as a mistress to the wealthy Mr. Balsan. During this period, which she largely spent mingling with upper class French society, we see how Coco’s distaste with the extravagant women’s trends of the time led her to invent her own sleek and understated take on style. Although initially regarded with amusement for her masculine-based attire, it was Coco who did away with tight fitting corsets and let women breathe.
    
Tautou brings complex blend of elegance, stubbornness and fragility
    
Audrey Tautou plays the lead role in as exquisite a style as the costumes that are in the feature. The complex blend of elegance, stubbornness, fragility and determination which the actress engenders in the role are certainly deserving of credit. The visible change in attitude and appearance as Coco matures is also ably handled throughout, and despite what the audience may or may not know about Chanel, Tautou retains a certain mysticism in her portrayal which is captivating. In light of Tautou’s endearing performance, the slower moving parts of the film can also be forgiven.
    
This is a sophisticated offering, to deservingly match the sophistication of the impressionable years of a young woman before they resulted in the birth of the global brand now known as Coco Chanel. While a label can be taken for granted, Coco Before Chanel invokes us to remember that behind the name, there is a person.
    
Review: Su-Ann Chow-Seegoolam
    
Coco Before Chanel is showing at Nottingham's Broadway Cinema from 31st July to 13th August 2009
    

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