I Still Heart Audrey, But Not Coco

Make no mistake about it: Watching a movie with English subtitles takes far more effort than one without. A foreign film turns movie watching from a passive activity, into an active one. With some films, this is a blessing, as their cinematography, acting, and plot deserve even greater attention than usual. On the other hand, and as was the case with Coco Avant Chanel, it makes some movies darn close to unbearable.

Audrey Tautou of Amelie fame did all she could to save this film, but it still wasn't enough. Coco Avant Chanel just couldn't break the cookie-cut mold of a romantic, period film. What's worse is how long it took to even gain that momentum.

The film definitely left me wanting to know more about Gabrielle Coco Chanel, but not in a good way. It was as if the story went right up to the point where I wish it would have started. One RottenTomatoes.com brief review echoes my sentiments about the film's title exactly in suggesting, "Coco Before She Was Interesting".

If you're a fashion junkie looking for your industry fix, I propose you pick up 2009's The September Issue rather than Coco. The inside look at Anna Wintour and the Vogue team is far more enlightening and exciting than this snooze. Even better yet, revisit Tautou as Ms. Amelie Poulain.