Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Screening of "Coco Avant Chanel"

Last night I finally made it to the last screening of "Coco Avant Chanel" at the DGA Theater here in NY! Seeing a good movie for free is always a yes in my book - especially when not having to suffer through endless commercials and trailers, and when in company with fellow actors/writers who know how to turn off their cell phones as well as to zip up their mouths during the showing. Not to mention, in a theater where snacking and sipping soda is forbidden and there is a security guard in place to reinforce the no-food rule if need be! Call me cranky, but it drives me insane to hear the constant noise of slurping and crumpled candy wrappers when trying to watch a drama - or any kind of film, actually!

I was completely mesmerized by the movie and I would recommend fashionistas, Chanelites as well as any cineaste to go see it when it opens in theaters this weekend. The storyline focuses on Coco's struggles before she moved out of her benefactor's mansion and opened her own atelier on rue Cambon, from where she designed and sold hats to society ladies. Today, 100 years later, the Chanel Paris boutique, Coco's elegant one-of-a-kind apartment, the brand's haute couture atelier and Karl Lagerfeld's study are located at 31 rue Cambon, only steps from where Coco opened her first hat shop.

While not being a couture documentary per se, the film does feature quite a few wonderful fashion moments that all made me smile happily. When Coco packs her belongings for the move to Balsan's estate, a sharp eye can spot her little quilted sewing kit on her bed next to the suitcase, and it looks very much like the 2.55! There are also a couple of adorable scenes, where Coco massacres her lover's shirts and houndstooth pants to create her own, unique clothing. No need to be a Chanel lover, or even to take the slightest interest in fashion whatsoever, to immediately recognize the brand's tailored, crisp style in the garments that Coco conjures up for her riding lessons and introduction to Parisian society life!

Obviously, there is also a lot of beautiful costuming to enjoy. Eudald Magri is the costumer of the film, which features wardrobe designed by Catherine Leterrier and hats designed by legendary London milliner Stephen Jones. I especially loved the crowd scene at the horse derby - I can only imagine the amount of effort that must have gone into the styling of the principals as well as all the extras (easily 150+) who were on camera for those shots!

Last but not least, there is no way I can go see a movie without shedding some tears. Two scenes moved me immensely, the first one being Coco's audition at the Alcazar (any actor, singer or dancer who has been interrupted half-way through will understand what I mean), and the second one being the last few minutes of the movie, with Coco sitting on the staircase overseeing her models walking down the steps, one by one. This one scene alone is worth the price of a movie ticket - and the film is indeed one that needs to be enjoyed in a theater, rather than on Netflix or similar. You should all dress up in your best bouclé, grab your quilted purse and get a ticket for the US opening night on Saturday!

xoxox

Pictures in this post: Coco Chanel portrait, Chanel SS09 bouclé runway look, sketches by Karl Lagerfeld for Bazaar, Chanel appreciation editorial - ELLE Sweden, Chanel knockoff at H&M, Audrey Tatou in the final scene of "Coco Avant Chanel".

38 comments:

  1. That sounds fantastic. I'm glad you got a chance to see it. I'd love to see it myself. I love Coco Chanel.

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  2. that's a great movie, loved it! it was kind of sad though...

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  3. I haven't see this yet but am dying to! And can't wait after reading this today!

    Ps-I love your banner photo. It's gorgeous!

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  4. Based on your review, it is definitely a must-see.

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  5. You wrote such an amazing review of this film - oh, I am so dying to see it. I only hope that the theater near me actually decides to screen it! :)

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  6. Thank you for such a fabulous review of the film Miss Coutoure, now we want to see it more than we already did! Those Lagerfeld sketches are just killer, talk about eye candy!

    Great post!
    tp

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  7. oh so wunderful. i like the combo of h&m. i like the cardigan

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  8. i add you to my blogroll

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  9. Sounds awesome!! I'm glad u got to see it and posted about it!! I will definitely be watching it when its out in theaters or on DVD.

    http://www.hottheels.blogspot.com

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  10. Thanks for stopping by, everyone! And yes, I indeed had a pet goat...! My grandfather got her for our summer house.

    I still love goats - I wonder if getting one would make me look like Paris Hilton! I'd rather look like Coco: I am so smitten by her style now after having seen the film.

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  11. I am so jealous of you ! great post though - thanks

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  12. Fab review, darling ~ I need to see this film asap!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  13. I'm aching to see this movie!! I can't wait until it hits theaters in the midwest. You're so lucky you got the chance to see it early!

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  14. I've been super excited to see this movie! I'm an avid fan of Audrey Tautou, I honestly think she's perfect for the part of Coco Chanel. I just -know- I'm going to be inspired with the fashion in the movie. Thanks for review, I'll have to force my friends to come see it with me when it hits theaters (:

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  15. Oh isn't it a fab film! I was lucky enough to see it on its first day in the afternoon so an empty cinema and thankfully spared the slurping and eating brigade too!

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  16. I cannot wait to see this! You made it sound so beautiful, and I utterly agree on the popcorn issue...

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  17. There was a movie on TV about her a while ago and I meant to watch it but never got around to it.

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  18. Fab post!!! I really cannot wait to see this movie. It sounds wonderful. :)

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  19. cannot waaaaaaaaaaaaaaait to see this movie
    not sure if my previous comment worked, so i am re-posting
    thanks for stopping by, girl :)

    myglitteringcreation.blogspot.com

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  20. Thanks for your comment. Yes they are from Pleaser!! I'm glad u like them!

    http://www.hottheels.blogspot.com

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  21. I am really looking forward to this movie, it has only gotten good reviews!
    XOXOX
    Libby
    http://fashionconfectionairy.weebly.com

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  22. I loved it. And Audrey Tautou looked gorgeous. :)

    Xx

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  23. would love to see this! coco's life fascinates me. hopefully its playing at one of our indie theaters!

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  24. i cried when the second lover died and it was all for him that made her work exceptionally in the fashion industry. i love witnessing a fashion idol, i think your a fashion idol too (:

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  25. Aww, you are so sweet! Thank you - you just made me day! xo

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  26. You've most effectively inspired me to see it!

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  27. I love Coco !
    http://mimietnini.canalblog.com/

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  28. Really, thanks for sharing and passing this on . . .Coco is a fashion icon of monumental proportion inside as well as outside the fashion arena

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  29. Oooo I can't wait! I've been so excited for this movie for so long and your wonderful review has me clapping my hands!
    I cry during movies too ;)

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  30. I'M DYING TO WATCH THAT MOVIE! I can't wait till its released in Vancouver! Thanks for the positive recommendation! I'm so excited now




    www.thestarvingstylist.com

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  31. shame on me...
    I haven't seen it,but I will...I will:)

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  32. I really loved that movie when I saw it as well. The cinema you saw it in sounds incredible. We also saw it at a little independent cinema.
    But I loved the costumes in the movie!

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  33. So glad you enjoyed it so much! Anything free and fun is a bonus! :O)

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  34. wow. i really want to see that movie!

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  35. I am absolutely DYING to see this movie. I saw the Lifetime version (which was quite interesting in its own right), and it only fueled my wishes to see this! Chanel is truly an inspiration to all.

    PS on the blowout, haha it will work well even with emo hair! Just use a volumizer mouse at the scalp =)

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  36. Oh how lovely for you!
    I can't wait to see the film, but the cinemas near me never got it, or any of the other films I normally want, haha.
    I'm going to have to wait for the DVD I think.

    Florrie x

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