Coco Before Chanel

A rise from obscure beginnings to the heights of the fashion world, Coco Before Chanel is the story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel who began her life as a headstrong orphan,and through an extraordinary journey became the most respected woman in all of Europe. She spent years discovering herself and represented courage and motivation. She never gave up. She not once, stopped being herself. The movie brought surprises when least expected. The film feels less like a "documentary", but instead a romantic tragedy. Several years after leaving the orphanage to which her father never returned for her, a young Gabrielle Chanel finds herself working in a provincial bar. She is both a seamstress for the performers and a singer, earning the nickname Coco from the song she sings nightly with her sister. A young man gives her an opportunity to live with him and she accepts. In the middle of sewing hats, making dresses, and in the middle of parties, she finds herself falling in love with Arthur Capel, nicknamed "Boy". When she finally decides to begin a business of design, she is left without a love in her life. Her true love, Boy, ends up dying in a car accident. I believe Audrey Tatou did a phenomenal job at the role of Coco. She's a hard role to play because of how great Coco Chanel came to be. 

The story is full of tragedy. 

Some parts will make you laugh because of how high she holds her head.

Others,however, might make you tear up. 

Did you like the film? Why or why not?

The film was spectacular. I can relate what it's like to have to fight pain just like Coco. Before she reached the top or the good, she had to deal with the bad and the ugly. I can learn so much from the movie. She is her self the entire movie. She doesn't try and change herself to impress anyone. She didn't change her morals or beliefs or values. The real points of the film was a story of an orphan who reached the top of the fashion world.

Was the film aesthetically beautiful? If yes, how so? If not, then why not?

The scenery the director wanted to include was breathtaking. The story was simple. But because of the deep scenery and the music, it made it complicated. Coco Chanel really makes me think. It was grand. All the scenes of France, prettier than I would have expected. Bravo, Anne Fontaine!

How does the film compare to an American film of a similar genre? How is it different?

It reminds me a little of My Best Friend's Wedding because the drama and love doesn't turn out as planned. My Best Friend's Wedding has scenery and culture of NYC. Those movies are different in the plot but the theme has the same idea. When you realize you really love something, everyone tries to hold on to it, when in reality, they should be let go just like Boy and Micheal. These movies have a similarity that falls under the category of success and heartbreak. It's different because French movies have an excitement to them. American movies don't have this trait. When I was watching Coco Chanel, it had passion. American films aren't as culturally developed as French movies.

What does this film show about French culture?

This movie has French culture written all over it. France is the birthplace of cinema and love and passion and drama. This movie has all of these characteristics. It has a deep connection to France.