Hot couture

Biopic Coco avant Chanel needs more
fashion and less passion

DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: Audrey Tautou

by CHRISTOPHER SYKES

If you’re an haute couture fan expecting director Anne Fontaine’s biopic of Coco Chanel, Coco avant Chanel, to be as groundbreaking as the latter’s eye for fashion was, I’m afraid you may be disappointed. That’s not to say Audrey Tautou’s turn as the iconic fashionista is anything less than spectacular. Odds are that Tautou’s name will be on the short list when the Academy announces this year’s nominees for Best Actress. Instead it’s the film’s ultra-conventional build that left me feeling flat.

Focusing on Chanel’s humble ascent from orphan to icon, CAC follows every scriptwriting guideline and begins just where it’s supposed to: with a horse-drawn carriage disposing of two young sisters in front of an orphanage. Fast-forward to the androgynous Tautou attempting to make ends meet singing in a small town cabaret, where she is courted by stately officer Étienne Balsan (Benoît Poelvoorde). After the two bump pelvises, Tautou is fired and, having no one else to fall back on, she tracks down Poelvoorde at his estate.

Fontaine’s storytelling is at its strongest as Tautou wins over the nobleman and the two progress from one-off lovers to confidants and friends. The spellbinding Poelvoorde plays a man of questionable character, but he does eventually take the young designer under his wing and the esteemed company he keeps provides the springboard for her to make a name for herself.

Yet money can’t buy love, and that’s what this film is about. While Poelvoorde’s riches afford the means for Tautou to exploit her talents, it’s instantly evident she will be swept away by British businessman Boy Capel (Alessandro Nivola) upon his introduction. And that’s a good thing: it’s a tumultuous weekend away that inspires her to bust out the scissors and stitch the original Little Black Dress, bucking the trend of the frilly white ball gown.

Fashionistas will hit pay dirt during the film’s final minute as a much older Tautou readies the runway for her latest collection some years after her affair. It’s here that Fontaine busts out the real eye candy. Which left me thinking—I could’ve done with a lot more fashion and a lot less passion.

COCO AVANT CHANEL OPENS THIS
FRIDAY, SEPT. 25