Coco Before Chanel

2009 PG-13 1h 50m Blu-ray / DVD

Coco Before Chanel

2009 PG-13 1h 50m Blu-ray / DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
Audrey Tautou stars as legendary French designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in this lively biopic that explores the fashion icon's storied ascension from orphan to seamstress and cabaret singer and ultimately, the queen of Parisian haute couture. Alessandro Nivola plays Arthur "Boy" Capel, Chanel's lover and influential business investor who makes a lifelong impact on the young woman. Anne Fontaine directs this Oscar nominee for Best Costume Design.
Cast
Audrey Tautou, Benoît Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola, Marie Gillain, Emmanuelle Devos, Régis Royer, Etienne Bartholomeus, Yan Duffas, Fabien Béhar, Roch Leibovici
Director
Anne Fontaine
Format
Blu-ray DVD
Screen
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Subtitles
English
CC
No
Audio
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Screen
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Subtitles
English
CC
No
Audio
French: DTS 5.1 HD
Rating
PG-13 - Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers. PG-13 - Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.
age 13+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 13+
age 13+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this historical biopic depicting Coco Chanel's life before she hit it big as a fashion designer examines her somewhat scandalous love-life, in which she is kept by one man but is in love with another, both aware of the other. Her benefactor often treats her like chattel. Though she asserts her independence, she puts up with his disrespect, too. Nevertheless, Coco come across as an incredibly strong woman, a pioneer in many ways. There's a good bit of drinking and smoking, and some subtle love scenes. The movie is in French, with English subtitles.

Sexual Content

Men and women flit from one partner to another. Some scenes showing them kissing and tussling in bed (no nudity). Frank conversations about what it's like to be a kept woman.

Violence

A man doesn't lay a finger on his mistress, but he does talk about her in a dominating, demeaning manner, making it clear she's like his property.

Language

The film is in French, with English subtitles. No swearing in either language, though there is some subtle innuendo.

Social Behavior

Coco never doubts her innate fashion sense, nor her ability to make it on her own terms at a time when women had few options other than depending on men. Her strength and fiery independence raise plenty of eyebrows, but she really doesn't care, and in the end is able to achieve her goals.

Consumerism

Not much, except toward the end when more of Coco Chanel's clothes and hats are on display.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Plenty of smoking and social drinking at parties, including a few balls that get quite bawdy and raucous. A few scenes take place in bars, with lots of drinking and suggestive behavior.

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

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