Coco Before Chanel

Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel in Sony Picture Classics’ Coco Before Chanel

3 stars

Every cultural legend starts somewhere.

Rating: PG
Stars: Audrey Tautou, Benoît Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola

What’s the story?
Coco Before Chanel portrays Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (Tatou)’s life story from her days in an orphanage to her successful days as a world-renowned fashion icon of the 20th century. The persistent and stubborn Coco struggles as a performer until she moves in with aristocrat Étienne Balsan (Poelvoorde). The move connects her to French society where she prospers in designing refreshingly simple yet beautiful hats, and also leads her to an introduction to Arthur Capel (Nivola), the charming English businessman who steals her heart.

Why see it?
Director Anne Fontaine manages to capture the spirit of French society in the early 1900s, from the outfits worn to the attitude of the upper class French. Not to mention the film features a unique and seemingly effortless performance by French sensation Audrey Tautou.

Problems?
Unless you’re considerably interested in the queen of fashion or enjoy French cinematography, you may be a little disappointed. In terms of an attention-holding dramatic film, Coco Before Chanel doesn’t quite hit the mark.

All in all:
A fascinating look into the life of one of fashion’s greatest icons.