A scene from Coco Avant Chanel
Anne Fontaine’s Coco Avant Chanel is an elegant film. It tells the story of Coco Chanel’s early life from her time in an orphanage as a small child, to the birth of her fashion empire in Paris as a young lady.
The cinematography and musical score are, like the clothes that Coco designs, simple and understated. There are many beautifully composed shots of landscapes and chateaus that are reminiscent of the impressionist art that was flourishing in Europe in the late 1800’s. The only problem with these shots is that too often Coco is obviously in opposition to the people around her. Whether it be the clothes she is wearing or the opinions she espouses Coco is again and again separated from the crowd. Obviously her individuality is one of the prime reasons she went on to become such a famous fashion icon yet the film is a little too heavy-handed in making this point and it becomes a little tedious. That said, Fontaine’s production is a beautiful visual piece and is rewarding to watch.
Audrey Tautou gives a very good performance as Coco. She delicately balances Coco’s fiery exterior with the fragile girl underneath. Although Coco is an outspoken, self-assured young woman Tautou ensures that the audience sees the toll it takes on her inner-being to be so independent in a society where female dependence is the expected norm. Her face and her words are often playing strength while her dark, doe eyes are revealing fragility and pain. The supporting cast is strong but not spectacular and one suspects that they were directed that way to leave the limelight on the heroine. Benoît Poelvoorde turns in a particularly good performance as Baslan, Coco’s on-again-off-again lover and Emmanuelle Devos is radiant as Emilienne d’Alençon an actress who helps get Coco’s career started.
This film will not only be enjoyable to fans of fashion. Coco’s story is an interesting example of the classic rags-to-riches fable and Fontaine thankfully resists the urge to sensationalise her rise from poverty. This is a polished, enjoyable production.
