Coco avant Chanel

This is a movie I rather enjoyed.
There are no thrills or suspense involved.
It is a biography of Gabrielle Chanel aka Coco, the famous French fashion designer who founded the famous fashion brand, Chanel. The early years of Chanel, from her birth till her set-up of first shop in Paris. Her love story with Arthur Capel aka Boy.

The movie was kept interesting by the witty conversations in the movie and the scenes of courage, intelligence and preserverance displayed by Gabrielle Chanel inside when she succeeded to continue staying in Balsan's house. I especially like the witty response (somewhat similar) made by Chanel in the movie, when asked about her age:-

Balsan: "How old are you?"
Chanel: "Depends on my mood. When I'm bored, I feel ancient"
Balsan: "How are are you now?"
Chanel: "1000 years old"

I admire the courage shown by Chanel inside. She dreamed of love and marriage too when she met Arthur Capel. But when reality sank in, she survived. She went ahead to pursue her dreams instead of conveniently accepting the marriage of proposal from Balsan. To her marriage is not a solution to her problems. She just wanted to work and not to live off man. She's a woman who defied conventions in her times, shown in her fashion and her success in her boutique.

The movie was further liven up by the charisma of the actors and actresses. I especially like the actor - Alessandro Nivola in his role of Arthur Capel. He really was the handsome rogue lover that most women will dream and desire.

This movie did not show Chanel's later years and her speculated involvement with a German officer. Whatever her involvement was, i believe it could not deny her of her due credits in her strength, intelligence and success in the fashion industry.