Passion in the key of a sultry affair
Igor Stravinsky (Mads Mikkelsen) and Coco Chanel (Anna Mouglalis) orchestrating an affair. (Sony Pictures Classics)
Coco Chanel and
Igor Stravinsky
Running time: 115 minutes
MPAA rating: R (some strong sexuality and nudity)
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The disastrous premiere of Igor Stravinsky's revolutionary "The Rite of Spring" and the mixing of the concoction that will become Chanel Nº 5 are career watermarks thumped with vigor in "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky."
The cornerstone of Jan Kounen's early 20th century biopic of the fashion and musical pioneers, however, is the fiery affair that bound them together and tore at the foundation of the Russian composer's marriage.
"Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky," in Russian, French and English with subtitles, is, at times, as daring as "The Rite of Spring," which bombed and started a near riot at its world premiere at the Champs-Elysées Theater in Paris in 1913.
That's where Dutch director Kounen and Chris Greenhalgh's screenplay (adapted by Carlo de Boutiny and Kounen) meticulously orchestrate the event that eventually brings the two creative forces together seven years later. Kounen ("Blueberry") takes his sweet time and recreates the event beautifully as an artist's face dissolves into the kind of deep despair only total failure in public can provide.
There has been much vodka under the bridge for Stravinsky (Mads Mikkelsen) since budding fashion designer Chanel (Anna Mouglalis) witnessed the "Rite" disaster. A Russian Revolution has come and gone. A penniless Stravinsky and his wife and kids are living in a tiny flat.
Chanel takes them in and takes the composer as her lover.
Mikkelsen, Le Chiffre in "Casino Royale" in 2006, and Mouglalis ("The Dark Sea"), the French actress Kounen has called the muse of Chanel, are on fire together as ill-fated lovers. From this aisle seat, however, I am extremely impressed by Russian actress Elena Morozova, who so vividly conveys the angst of the composers long-suffering (physically and mentally) wife Catherine.
Some film goers may feel they know about Coco Chanel, especially if "Coco Before Chanel" (with Audrey Tautou in the title role) was on the agenda last year. "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky," though related only in subject matter, carries the story forward.
Kounen delivers a very well-acted heartbreaking, yet fascinating story of colliding artistic forces that alternates between fiery passion and icy chills of emotional damage.
The eccentric ending, which won't be revealed here, serves as an appropriately stunning end piece to a visually vibrant opening sequence.
What lies between is the stuff that make and eventually muffle legends.
The cornerstone of Jan Kounen's early 20th century biopic of the fashion and musical pioneers, however, is the fiery affair that bound them together and tore at the foundation of the Russian composer's marriage.
"Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky," in Russian, French and English with subtitles, is, at times, as daring as "The Rite of Spring," which bombed and started a near riot at its world premiere at the Champs-Elysées Theater in Paris in 1913.
That's where Dutch director Kounen and Chris Greenhalgh's screenplay (adapted by Carlo de Boutiny and Kounen) meticulously orchestrate the event that eventually brings the two creative forces together seven years later. Kounen ("Blueberry") takes his sweet time and recreates the event beautifully as an artist's face dissolves into the kind of deep despair only total failure in public can provide.
There has been much vodka under the bridge for Stravinsky (Mads Mikkelsen) since budding fashion designer Chanel (Anna Mouglalis) witnessed the "Rite" disaster. A Russian Revolution has come and gone. A penniless Stravinsky and his wife and kids are living in a tiny flat.
Chanel takes them in and takes the composer as her lover.
Mikkelsen, Le Chiffre in "Casino Royale" in 2006, and Mouglalis ("The Dark Sea"), the French actress Kounen has called the muse of Chanel, are on fire together as ill-fated lovers. From this aisle seat, however, I am extremely impressed by Russian actress Elena Morozova, who so vividly conveys the angst of the composers long-suffering (physically and mentally) wife Catherine.
Some film goers may feel they know about Coco Chanel, especially if "Coco Before Chanel" (with Audrey Tautou in the title role) was on the agenda last year. "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky," though related only in subject matter, carries the story forward.
Kounen delivers a very well-acted heartbreaking, yet fascinating story of colliding artistic forces that alternates between fiery passion and icy chills of emotional damage.
The eccentric ending, which won't be revealed here, serves as an appropriately stunning end piece to a visually vibrant opening sequence.
What lies between is the stuff that make and eventually muffle legends.
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