Movie Review: Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

DRAMA; MA, 1hr 59min
STARRING: Mads Mikkelsen, Anna Mouglalis, Elena Morozova

Paris, 1913: The radical and fabulous premiere of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring causes a furore at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees. Serene in the bawling audience, fellow artist Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel is intrigued.

Seven years later, Chanel (Mouglalis) is celebrated and wealthy while Stravinsky (Mikkelsen) has never recovered. Fiercely proud but financially cornered, he accepts the use of Chanel's edgily chic rural villa for himself and his family. As elegant as an etching in her fluid black and white creations, Chanel is a self-contained contrast to Stravinsky's maternal, consumptive wife, Catherine (Morozova). As his wife grows weaker, Stravinsky and Chanel begin an affair that Catherine is powerless to prevent.

For director Jan Kounen, the look and feel of a film are paramount and the dialogue consequently minimal. This time capsule is a beauty, fed by passion and art. Yet nor
does it romanticise its selfish star couple - at the moment when Catherine asks Chanel
if she ever feels guilty and the answer is a cool "No," it's clear this is a designer to admire rather than a woman to warm to.

Andiee's Rating: ***