The lives of flamboyant celebrities are always wonderful fodder for feature films. The best biopics result from looking at a particular aspect of a public figure’s life or a defining relationship in their life. Phillip Seymour Hoffman [PSHOF] won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Truman Capote in Capote, but the lesser known version Infamous, with Toby Jones [TOJON] was just as good.. Both films concentrated on Capote researching and writing his ground-breaking book ‘In Cold Blood.’
This week, the second of two films about fashion maven Coco Chanel IPOd on HSX. Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky [COCIS] is a very pan-European film from director Jan Kounen. French actress Anna Mougalis and Danish star Mads Mikkelsen [MMIKK] play the title characters. Based on the book by Chris Greenhalgh, the film highlights the passionate love affair between the icon and composer. Whether factual or not, the premise lends to the idea that their affair catapulted their creative energies. Stravinsky was the composer of the ‘Rites of Spring’ which debuted around the time he met the budding designer. Together, the two made beautiful music and clothes.
French star Audrey Tautou [ATATU] takes the role of the designer in Coco Before Chanel [COCO]. Like the title implies, the film looks at her life before fame. This film is directed by Anne Fontaine and is based on the novel by Edmonde Charles-Roux. It highlights the humble days of Coco as a seamstress who worked her way to the peak of French fashion. It also looks at her romance with Arthur ‘Boy’ Capel, who died in a car crash. The buzz on Tautou is great, as she epitomizes the legendary grace of the character.
So, what’s with the summary, you might ask? Audiences were the clear winners with the Capote biopics and it seems, the situation repeats with the Coco films. Two acclaimed films about two different periods of one fascinating woman’s life. What more can you ask for? They are both coming to theaters courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. Check out Coco Before Chanel and Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky on the exchange and put some haute couture in your portfolios!
Tag(s): PSHOF, TOJON, COCIS, MMIKK, COCO