Coco Before Chanel

2009 • 106 minutes

About this movie

From humble beginnings to the heights of society, this is the astonishing story of Gabrielle Chanel, the legendary couturier who became a timeless symbol of success, freedom and style. Orphaned at a young age, Coco Chanel was raised in a convent school, where she learned to embroider and sew. Bored and dissatisfied with the living she could earn as a seamstress, she began singing in backstreet cafés and bars, where she attracted the attention of Étienne Balsan, a rich gentleman who immediately became intrigued by the stubborn, striking young ingénue. Swept up in her rich lover's world, Coco soon drew the eyes of society towards her with her unique, elegant style in a time of flamboyance and excess. Just as controversial was the passionate love affair in which she became embroiled, which shattered the conventions of her society -- a love so dangerous and forbidden it threatened to destroy her. Also featuring Benoît Poelvoorde (Man Bites Dog) and Alessandro Nivola (Mansfield Park, The Eye), Coco Before Chanel stars Audrey Tautou (Amelie, The Da Vinci Code) as Coco, the woman who dared to be different and became an icon!

Ratings and reviews

Beautiful, engaging, intriguing, an escape to a time and place that shaped what we wear and what we think today. Audrey Toutou is fantastic, gripping to watch.

One of my favourite movies.

Audrey Tautou IS Chanel!! A"must" for fans and fashion followers!