30 January,2010 08:27 AM IST | | Bryan durham
U/A; Drama
Dir: Anne Fontaine
Cast: Audrey Tautou, Benou00eet Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola, Marie Gillain, Emmanuelle Devos
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The birth of the fashion empire called Coco Chanel begins at the end of this film.
We see how Gabrielle, born poor, went on to be a cabaret dancer/seamstress and later a mistress to a rich heir followed by an affair with the love of her life, a British polo player named Arthur 'Boy' Capel (Nivola).
Make no mistake, this comes across as an approvedu00a0 biopic. That said, this is a very likeable film that stays true to the 'widely accepted as fact' version of this modernist, independent thinking woman's life.
The largely witty dialogue keep proceedings lively as does a spirited performance by Audrey Tautou. However, the film dwells a little too long on Coco's love life.
There's no mention of the famed No 5 perfume whichu00a0 she helped create and which bears her name.
Coco's creation of simple elegance and the birth of the LBD (little black dress) at an impulsive moment are the film's highlights. Here was a plain-looking gal who had men of rank falling all over her. She never married.
True to the title, the film explores the life of Coco before she became the mistress of the house of Chanel.
Despite there being several adaptations of her story, most have chosen to concentrate on her love affair with Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. This one steers clear of that part of her life.
The film is in French and has English subtitles and you won't have it any other way. The film's background score (by Alexandre Desplat) is awesome and one of the film's highlights.
What you stand to gain by watching this flick (which, byu00a0 the way, is releasing with only one print for the time being) is an understanding of early 20th century French fashion,u00a0 the class and gender divisions of the time and an appreciation for a tough, worldly-wise woman. And if you couldn't care less, well there's a lot of new movies playing this week!
