Coco Before Chanel (2009)

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Undescribable Perfection

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Blistering performances.

Coco Chanel had an amazing, fascinating life, though I don't think one would know it from "Coco Before Chanel," released in 2009.This is the story of Chanel (Audrey Tatou) from her shabby beginnings as an orphan to the beginning of her great success as a couturier. It is through men who take an interest in her that Coco succeeds - first, Étienne Balsan (Benoît Poelvoorde), and the love of her life, Boy Capel (Alessandro Nivola). Capel is the man who first established her salon in Paris, and she was so successful, she was able to repay him all of the money he invested. He also may be in part responsible for the look of the "Chanel No. 5" bottle.The production is dazzling -- costumes, scenery, and Tatou is good as Chanel, a young woman who takes a dim view of love before even falling in love. Once she does, she wants it all - marriage, settling down, but it is not to be. Alessandro Nivola is stunning.Unfortunately, Mr. Nivola's handsomeness and the lovely Ms. Tatou can't make up for the dreadfully slow pace and dull story. The beginning, with Gabrielle (Coco) and her sister as a singing duo was really the best, and then it kind of fizzles out after she becomes involved with Balsan.I haven't seen every single thing ever made about Chanel, but I know that there were aspects of her life, such as her Nazi leanings, friendships within the British government, her dealings over Chanel No. 5 with the Wertheimers - that are very compelling. I'm not sure how they would play out on screen, but she was an important figure in the 20th Century, and as such, deserves to have her entire story told. The TV movie with Shirley MacLaine told the story of the late part of her life, whitewashing what went on before, and this tells the beginning. Let's see something of her activities in the '30s and '40s on the big screen.

Before watching this film Coco Chanel was for me just a designer,a couturiere, a great one of course.The importance of this film for me was in revealing first of all the personality behind the designer and most importantly her significance and role in shaping the identity of the modern woman.After watching this film she became for me not just a creator of clothes or style but the creator of new,modern,contemporary woman.She has been a breakthrough a turning point forever dividing the social,existential identity of women before and after her.By focusing on the course of her life from the early years of childhood passed in the orphanage to her introduction to the elite Parisian society; the film shows the evolution of Coco a seamstress and singer of second rate cabarets,the girl unrecognized and overshadowed by the aristocracy,to the Parisian woman who has earned the respect and recognition of the same "elite" society who once considered her an outsider.By following her personal life, like her stay at the castle of Etienne Balsan we see how the definition of a woman according to her has been shaped and what have been her challenges in establishing the image of the modern woman. Her breaking the rules of what was considered to be the merits of femininity,like her passion for horse riding,which led her to preference of more simple and practical tendance of clothing and wearing trousers,the film shows the sources of her inspirations,for example in her visit to the sea with the man she loved,she notices the fishermen,their lifestyle,their clothes and from there comes the iconic blue and white striped fisherman tops,one of her trademarks.The film shows us how through her silent observations she creates a revolution,a movement within the lifestyle and social status of women.She not only frees women from wearing corsets ,but allows them to breath the fresh air, the air of daring to be recognized as a woman in a plain little black dress.By following the genie of a woman Coco before Chanel shows us how in the first glance an ordinary and simple work like making dresses can be a great contribution to the creation of modern times.

I really didn't like this movie very much. We only got the barest sense of Chanel's style and how she grew into becoming a celebrity designer--instead, it felt like 30% of movies were shots of Balsan's degenerate castle lifestyle and Tatou being stony and sulky, before she met Boy Capel and it segued into a rather predictable love story that's very, very slow. There are endless shots of people's over the top hats and dresses.It doesn't much discuss Chanel's career, instead weaving it around a love story that wraps around the feminist constructions of those days, and the roles of women.

Not only am I a lover of the French language (which made the movie more appealing) but i loved the style of cinematography- there was something fresh and innocent about the way each character was portrayed. Also, the atmosphere and surroundings of the film also deemed to hold this notion; almost like pathetic fallacy.... We see young Coco in a 'field' of melancholy, in the orphanage she was subjected to as a child. Expressing her hope; as she waited for her father during visiting hours in a columned alley as though to represent the famous idiom: "light at the end of the tunnel" to depict both her abstract feelings of hope and the actual nature of her life that awaits her. As the film continues, the atmosphere and mood of the film naturally transcends from deep melancholy to moods of indulgence, luxury and exposure to green pastures. Audrey Tatou, being one of my favourite, admired actress's made the movie what it was because she was so natural and indulgent in the way Coco was known to behave- witty, subtly confident and suave. In addition to her contribution to the success of the film: Alessandro Nivola and Benoît Poelvoorde enhanced the relationship and personal insight of the film to the audience. Overall, the film should be a muse; for both the audience and for other biographical film writers/directors. I have read people complain about how the film missed out Coco's liaisons with certain subjects etc.... but really, the movie is called Coco before Chanel. The film was made to expose the basic outline of Coco's success in the fashion industry (hence the Chanel), the emotional and personal struggle and success Coco experienced. It was Unbiased and inspiring, giving me more reason to commend & recommend the film. it was beautiful.i have a lot to say about the film, but i would rather keep it brief; short and sweet.