Coco Avant Chanel (2009)

On a second restart of the DVD, to correctly select English subtitles, it was an absorbing story of a successful woman who had sublimated her "self" to her chosen career. A story well worth telling and played so well by dark eyed "Coco".

I found this quite en enjoyable light-weight film. It revealed quite a bit of Coco's early childhood and young adulthood, but touched only extremely briefly on her very successful fashion empire.

Boring

Great story, sad and inspiring by equal measure. Audrey Tautou does an excellent job and actually looks quite a bit like Ms Chanel. Very well executed production in all aspects. I was a bit hesitant about my husband liking it but he loved it! There seem to be some issues about people not understanding the film is in French. So just to be clear: This is a French film about a French person with French actors speaking French. Unless you speak French, you will need to choose English subtitles from the top menu. Easy peasy! :o)

loved it - i was totally caught up in the era and loved all the period details. beautifully acted. reminded me of La Vien Rose - so if you like that you'll enjoy this.

It is in French! Why do we get sent films that are not in English??????

As this was in French I was unable to watch it

silly us, didnt realize the language was going to be french even tho it was about Coco Chanel. Got bored reading sub-titles

It was OK, I do enjoy autobiographies. Not what I thought.

Superb acting - loved it

this was beautifully filmed and was a high quality production with good acting a engaging story line. Typically French.

Love that it is mostly in French. A nice uncomplicated piece about her early life. Would have liked a little more on the fashion empire building side of things.

A fabuous movie. I loved the scenery, the fashion it was all wonderful. It only covers a small section of her life but in great detail. If you like a lot of dialogue and your observation skills are lacking - watch something else. Make sure you put the English subtitles "on". :0)

A surprisingly uninteresting two-dimensional treatment of someone presumably far more interesting than the film managed to convey.

Pleasant enough but quite a thin plot with long boring sections. Struggled ot get through it to the end.

I was expecting more of Audrey, sorry... I mean Coco. Lovely scenes and clothes and an interesting look at Coco Chanels history but it felt that only half of her life was covered here.Left me wanting to know more. Audrey is always a gem to watch and the cinematography was enjoyable but I felt a bit let down at the end of this movie.

Lovingly made movie of Coco Chanel life story, for lovers of fashion.

The story of Coco Chanel's rise from obscure beginnings to the heights of the fashion world. Wonderful movie

Audrey Tautou - yet again sublime in this fascinating insight into the young Coco.

Loved it an amazing woman even more intriguing as it was based on a true story

Even my husband found this interesting.

Gutsy lady. Excellent movie based on true life story. Good screen play

No body told me there wouldn't be any sub titles for this movie. It might have been ok to watch if you can speak French but I can't so I have been charged for a movie that I can't watch. A rip off if you ask me.

Coco is not your typical, extravagant fashionista of today's era - but more of a sullen, independent woman who has no time for frivolities. Having realised that in order to survive she needs the support of the rich and connected, Coco pursues a Baron - who treats her as a plaything and embarrasses her in front of his friends. Coco is stubborn and decides she's not going anywhere, probably more out of survival than love! The barons friends delight in Coco's unique and drab style and begin to take an interest in her millenary abilities. Coco soon falls for a swarve and debonaire young man and begins to become an independent designer, whose ground breaking fashion styles have altered what women wear today. A light film, which could have taken us further into Coco Chanel's career, rather than the budgeoning roots.

Great if you speak and understand French...........thanks for the tip about no subtitles NOT!!!!

We haven't had a good laugh for a long time. Good clean fun. Great movie!

Nice period movie, a bit slow sometimes but interesting to see the transformation of an orphan to the woman Coco becomes.

Very interesting glimpse into the life of Coco Chanel.

Enjoyed watching movie first thing I've seen on life of Coco Chanel. Subtitles only downside

Awesome movie, very stylishly done! Main actress is fantastic as Chanel!

Good story of Coco's early life even though I found the movie a little sad. English subtitles were missing or incomplete in parts.

Inspirational story of Coco Chanel's life story. Beautifully shot and costumed. There's an art to watching true stories of real lives.....if you want glitz, don't bother with this one.

As the title suggests this is definately Coco 'before' Chanel, before the clothing designs, so don't expect any eye openers about fashion inspirations throughout her career. Only for diehard fans of Coco Chanel as story was a little boring.

a very short but straight to the point to Chanel's life- if you have read the book you can appreciate how exact it is simplified, i expected more, but it was engaging.

Average at best. Audrey Tautou is always good.

Enjoyable. Got used to reading captions after a while.

Enjoyable but hardly earth shaking story of Coco Chael's early life. The period detail is great. Enjoyable. The ladies will probably love it more. Tatou is beautiful when she smiles, which she doesn't do too often in the first half. I've yet to be convinced that she's a great actress.

What a remarkable story. What a remarkable woman. How she ever did what she did under those conditions, i will never know! How she had such insight in those conditions is amazing. Recommended for all those, like me, that love a GREAT true story.

about her time pre fashion so dont watch if you are expecting that. jane austinish. but in french.

We loved this slow moving but rewarding experience. Audrey Tatou is superb as Coco and is ably supported by the rest of the cast. Beautifully shot, this film meanders along but doesn't become boring. Picking up the influences on Chanel's designs was well done, and her feisty and determined character shone through.

reminded me of an elephant with no face....

Being French, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie....Gabrielle is a simple girl with wonderful ideas before her time...but we all know that... It is a very enjoyable movie...and remember to have the tissues handy...

great movie, Audrey delivered a sold performance

Interesting and great acting. Really enjoyed this, and generally an inspirational story

Not a bad film but I prefered the other Chanel biopoc "Coco" with Shirly McClaine. It seemed to delve into her career in a more in depth way.

even with subtitles this is a great movie. Audrey Tautou is fabulous as elegant and chic Coco Chanel. . this story is more of her life leading up to her style house empire.I was left wanting more but still thoroughly enjoyed the experience.worth a look.

I loved this movie. I would watch it again and recommend it to anyone who has an interest in fashion, style and women in general making their own living from their talents. She appears to be tolerated because she is unusual and not behaving like the the women of the time. She must have been a "gutsy" young lady. I love the style she has left the world with. Simple elegance.

With a twinkle (and hardly a tear) in her eye, Audrey “Amelie” Tautou does Coco Chanel in a rather vapid representation of the renowned fashion designer’s rise from orphanage beginnings. Nevertheless, as a period piece viewers will recognise the restrictions of the ostentatious women’s costumes of the early 1900’s and Coco’s liberating influences, typified by her simple eye catching outfits and hats. Director Anne Fontaine’s biopic makes Coco into a sympathetic iconoclast, skimming a ruffled surface but sparing us the unsavory details in the depths – a pleasant Chanel No 5 whiff of a spirited, independent and committed woman.