Powerful

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

There's not a lot of action or dramatic tension in this movie, but there is a story to tell, though subtle, and it is intelligent and utterly convincing of time and place. It is very good.The direction, the cinematography, the score, the acting are all excellent. But the star of the movie is Audrey Tatou, as a woman born with a sense of self and style, almost against her will, who uses those traits to climb through fin-de-siecle French society to, ultimately, become an icon of what most would consider the beginning of modern times. She shifts effortlessly from the angry, self-absorbed youth with an attitude, to a mature women liberated by her lover, through heartbreak to triumph. As another reviewer has noted, the last 15 minutes or so are a master class in emotional range. Never a false note. She's so good that it's easy to forget that she's acting. In the final scene, the cinematography, the score, and Ms. Tatou combine into an unforgettable moment. She is convincing and compelling.

Audrey Tatou does a remarkable job in bringing Coco Chanel to life. Her portrayal of Coco is a far cry from Amelie. I'm surprised that she wasn't nominated for her performance. Whie her performance is perhaps the film's best feature, the screenplay needed a lot of work. There are gaps and missing info from when she leaves for Paris or to the château. Anyway, I found the film to be entertaining but slow at times. I enjoyed the period costumes which were first rate and the rest of the cast's performances as well. But still it's Tatou's performance as the legendary fashion icon Coco Chanel who stands out in the film. She really captures her in a way that she is humanized to the audience. One can't help wondering who Coco Chanel was. She was a woman but determined, ambitious and driven to succeed independently in a man's world. Coco Chanel deserves movies to be made about her. She defied convention in fashion and in life.

There was no better choice to play this iconic, fashion figure than Audrey Tautou. She's just so . . . French—100%, through and through. In fact, she does such a good job transforming herself into this grande dame that I'm never going to be able to watch another actress play Coco Chanel again without comparing her (probably unfavorably) to Audrey. All this, of course, bodes ill for my future enjoyment of Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky. (I'm still watching it, though, because it actually picks up more or less where this film leaves off). The film explores Coco Chanel's humble, working class origins—singing in bars, and gold- digging from wealthy men. The movie actually portrays her as being quite brazen in the way she finagles favors out of the landed gentry. I guess when you haven't got much to lose, there's no reason not to just go for it. Still, it would take a very industrious, unabashed personality to do this. But then, pretty girls have always been able to get away with all kinds of outrageous things.So, this movie is very grand and high-budget, with beautiful, refined people discussing very classy things. And, honestly it would be a bit of a snoozefest if I weren't interested in learning more about the historical figures involved. The fact that the film is about very fascinating people, and that we want to learn how they became what they're known for today, buys these actors a little more time to recite their dull, meditative lines, while smoking cigarettes and gazing into the mid-distance. It's all very stylish. But, as we all know, fashionable doesn't always translate into wildly entertaining. I'm not saying that the movie is tedious. The production value is wonderful, and the subject matter is very interesting. But, fortunately director, Anne Fontaine, doesn't get too carried away. The film clocks in at a thankfully restrained 110 minutes. I always appreciate a director who can realistically assess her work. So, I did enjoy this film. I'm glad I watched it. I was kind of obligated since it's one of those sweeping period pieces that panels love considering for various cinematic awards. But, it wasn't a chore (the way some others have been). Still, it's not a movie to attempt if you're feeling at all fidgety or distracted.

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.