Coco Before Chanel

COCO AVANT CHANEL simply means Coco's life before Chanel as we know her now. So here is a film about her 'then'. This very well produced film has many pluses and two glaring and irritating minuses. On the plus side we have a costly film that displays delicious art direction and production values with lavish or complicated vintage scenes set in extravagant re creationed times or within gorgeous mansions and breathtaking seaside locations... all with superb costumes. However, this film, more about an hour of its running time suffers from the same annoying factors that spoiled the recent film MA VIE EN ROSE, the bio pic of Edith Piaf: 1: a cranky and rude personality who is ungrateful when benefactors assist and 2: idiotic photography closeups where the hand held camera darts about between people talking or following someone's hands when they are doing something eg: Coco is at a table sewing so the camera is gawking about in closeup of her reaching for things. There are several grand set pieces: racetrack and ballroom magnificence, well dressed and filmed and a fashion sequence later in the story that is (again) all too brief. The first 40 minuets of orphanage and cabaret misery and rudeness mirror LA VIE EN ROSE too much and only later when Coco falls in love with "Boy" (Alessandro Nivola) and they romance by the sea does the film lighten a bit and she actually for a few minutes becomes likable. Oherwise it is Gallic aloofness well dressed but at odds with allowing the audience in too far.

Coco Before Chanel

If you are a 'Chanel lover' then this film will sweep you up in the stunning clothes, the beautiful love story and the truth behind her amazing life story. I have seen this film several times and could easily watch it again. Audrey Tautou is a standout in this elegant film, I could feel every emotion she felt with the tragedy of the love of her life.. and rise to fame.

Audrey Tatou not just have a good acting skills but also a great voice (if it was really her singing in this movie). In this movie, you'll see the life of women in this period and the very luxurious life of the rich people. Truly are the French have the most luxurious parties and outfits before. I'm so glad to have found this movie as I'm a big fan of movies like The Duchess, Marie Antoinette, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen and the like. I wonder what will happen to us if Coco Chanel didn't invent those dresses before...I can't stand the itch and the tightness of the dress maybe... Anyway, I'll be looking forward to Coco and Igor Stravinsky movie soon. I hope it won't let me down.

Fascinating cinematography and beautiful soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat... Other than these 2, every element in the movie makes you say 'yeah.. not bad' If she had a more extravagant, terribly adventurous life, one could definitely enjoy watching Chanel's childhood and early years as an eccentric young women. However there's not much to see and even Audrey Tautou's 'yeah...not bad' acting couldn't save it. The moment movie jumps to her later years as the fashion queen, and finish abruptly, you'll feel like you've slept and missed the fun part of the movie.. As a Chanel fan I'd like to see the 'Chanel after Coco' version from the same cast please:)...

Beautiful looking film and very fascinating if you are interested in fashion. The costumes were amazing and enjoyable visually most of the time. The locations were grand and played a strong part in who Chanel became and what she created. The acting was pretty good, but it seemed like the voices were dubbed. Also I have to wonder who put the music in the film. It was cheesy, sometimes not appropriate , and very very very repetitive. The music often was too loud and detracted from the scene. I do have to stress this piece would not be enjoyable for very many men. It is a romantic biographical drama and is not quick paced. I can enjoy slow paced but sometimes it was too drawn out. If you enjoy fashion and biographies and a little romance the film is worth watching.

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.

This is a great movie, especially if you appreciate good acting skills. Audrey Tautou is outstanding as Gabrielle Chanel. Her expressions, body language, emotions, strength, and determination in her character replicating Coco Chanel is all there. Marie Gillain and Emmanuelle Devos gave wonderful performances in their roles as well.

Good film depicting her life before fame. There was a lot more content on her life before becoming famous. It didn't depict much suffering/hardship to her rise, neither did it show much character development. Overall, a nice film to appreciate her stylistic choices and individuality, but lacked in plot and character development.

i am always fond of biopics, and this one didn't let me down either. it was a little different from what one expects, and did not really show how the brand was created. but that does not matter, its a story well told. and its a period movie, so it totally takes you back in time. and you are really living the movie with them. the performances are good all round. the music is good, and one of the songs still is playing in my head. my wife never follows my recommendations but i suggested very strongly to her that she watch, and for once she was happy following what i asked her. its more a women's movie, which i don't usually watch, but it didn't really matter. a movie well made is well made, no matter what its about. the french really know how to make their movies