Other Features:
Color; interactive menus; scene access; behind-the-scenes featurette.
Screen Formats:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.78:1
Language and Sound:
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Release Date:
2008
I have to say that yes, I wear Chanel 5 and wear it well. The red lipstick ain't bad, either. So, when I saw there was a film about the fab lady who created one of the best perfumes ever, well, I just had to watch it.
SHIRLEY MACLAINE plays the older COCO as she is looking back over her life. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for this, I believe. BARBORA BOBULOVA plays the young COCO, who leaves the orphanage in which she grew up and becomes one of fashion's greatest. MALCOLM MCDOWELL is in this, which is tres nice as I haven't seen him in anything for awhile. The acting is pretty good. Wish there would have been a bit more of SHIRLEY and MALCOLM, as they were really supporting roles and wonderful to watch. The lead actress plays Mademoiselle CHANEL nicely. I guess I imagined her a bit tougher and cutthroat, but this was a nice interpretation. The men in her life were adequately played by good-looking fellows. I guess I imagined her love affairs way more passionate and exciting than they were portrayed in the film, but heck, whadda I know?
The script was okay, not great, but okay. I found the going back and forth between the old and young Coco was a nice twist, but as I said before I wish they would have made SHIRLEY MACLAINE more of the central character. I think the script was a bit tame, when it could have been bolder and broader.
The costumes were great, of course. I think that is really where the magic of the film lies. Mademoiselle CHANEL was a genius in designing clothes for women and it is well captured in the film. I think that is what everyone will love the most about this film, is that we get a bit of insight into her creations and her passion as an artist, as she really was an artist and a revolutionary. I had the feeling of being a fly on the wall and watching where she got her inspiration for her collections. I also, thought it was cool how it showed her first little store with her tres fab hats. I would have liked to meet her.
