Mads Mikkelsen and Anna Mouglalis play the lead characters in Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky directed by Jan Kounen. Watch the preview: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/coco-chanel-and-igor-stravinsky/1435845/main
A few weeks ago we enjoyed another overnighter in Portsmouth NH. Our excuse for the getaway was to see this French film. We wanted to stay again at The Hampton Inn but the extra discount we used in July was not available. My wife mentioned we should inquire about the Comfort Inn where we stayed years ago and is located near downtown. This hotel had a much cheaper rate and we were not disappointed in the accommodations that included a free breakfast buffet. I enjoyed using the heated pool and Jacuzzi before we retired for the evening. When we checked out, we were given a 20% discount coupon with no expiration date for our next stay.
>>>We shopped before the seeing the Sunday 4:00PM matinee. I traded in two bags of CDs & DVDs at my favorite downtown store for $95 which was quickly used on items from my wish list. Bull Moose Music offers the best bargains on new & used merchandise. Their prices for Criterion DVDs are unbeatable and I found two I wanted and I had a tough time not buying more. The rest of the trip followed the routine mentioned in other blog entries.
>>>As for the French film, we were not disappointed too. Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky is a good companion piece or more like a sequel to Coco Before Chanel, an earlier blog entry, but made with different actors who are just as good as those in the first film. Even the previous film's handsome production is matched or surpassed here. It's too bad Audrey Tatou didn't reprise her role but Anna Mouglalis, an actress/model, is very good playing a not too much older Coco here who is more self-confident with her growing success.
>>>The story begins with the recreation (as we would imagine) of the disastrous 1913 premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. The composer is ably played by Mads Mikkelsen who most people know as the villain in Casino Royale and a soldier (unrecognizable) in Clash Of The Titans. Mikkelsen is another actor who seems to melt into his roles. Coco, still mourning the loss of her tycoon lover, is in the audience observing the rioting ticket holders clashing with the ballet's defenders. A few years later she meets Igor who is down on his luck. She is attracted to his genius and offers to be his patron by letting him with his family live on her estate. Before you know it (as if their constant eyeballing wasn't a giveaway), the romantic sparks fly....
>>>The details of their portrayed affair is speculation so some artistic license is permitted. Their love scenes are displayed on the graphic, artsy side with various camera angles & movements. Mrs. Stravinsky is aware of their coupling that her husband won't confirm or deny and wants him and their children to leave Coco's generosity or captivity, depending on how you look at it. Their affair ends when Igor makes a callous remark comparing their talents, too good to be repeated here and spoil it for you. The rest of the story shows their slow departing and later life. Some reviewers thought the film lost steam here but we disagree. There's always interesting visuals to keep you from being bored.
>>>During the story we see enough depiction of their creative processes. Showing a composer at work is usually lackluster but Igor dabbling at the piano searching for the correct notes surrounded by luxury is contrasted with Coco's pragmatic working methods. She's always in control and her body language speaks volumes. I said it before and I'll say it again: The French know how to make the best costume/period films so rich with details where you believe history is living & breathing before your eyes and never dull. And all the performances here are convincing and rewarding.
>>>We shopped before the seeing the Sunday 4:00PM matinee. I traded in two bags of CDs & DVDs at my favorite downtown store for $95 which was quickly used on items from my wish list. Bull Moose Music offers the best bargains on new & used merchandise. Their prices for Criterion DVDs are unbeatable and I found two I wanted and I had a tough time not buying more. The rest of the trip followed the routine mentioned in other blog entries.
>>>As for the French film, we were not disappointed too. Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky is a good companion piece or more like a sequel to Coco Before Chanel, an earlier blog entry, but made with different actors who are just as good as those in the first film. Even the previous film's handsome production is matched or surpassed here. It's too bad Audrey Tatou didn't reprise her role but Anna Mouglalis, an actress/model, is very good playing a not too much older Coco here who is more self-confident with her growing success.
>>>The story begins with the recreation (as we would imagine) of the disastrous 1913 premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. The composer is ably played by Mads Mikkelsen who most people know as the villain in Casino Royale and a soldier (unrecognizable) in Clash Of The Titans. Mikkelsen is another actor who seems to melt into his roles. Coco, still mourning the loss of her tycoon lover, is in the audience observing the rioting ticket holders clashing with the ballet's defenders. A few years later she meets Igor who is down on his luck. She is attracted to his genius and offers to be his patron by letting him with his family live on her estate. Before you know it (as if their constant eyeballing wasn't a giveaway), the romantic sparks fly....
>>>The details of their portrayed affair is speculation so some artistic license is permitted. Their love scenes are displayed on the graphic, artsy side with various camera angles & movements. Mrs. Stravinsky is aware of their coupling that her husband won't confirm or deny and wants him and their children to leave Coco's generosity or captivity, depending on how you look at it. Their affair ends when Igor makes a callous remark comparing their talents, too good to be repeated here and spoil it for you. The rest of the story shows their slow departing and later life. Some reviewers thought the film lost steam here but we disagree. There's always interesting visuals to keep you from being bored.
>>>During the story we see enough depiction of their creative processes. Showing a composer at work is usually lackluster but Igor dabbling at the piano searching for the correct notes surrounded by luxury is contrasted with Coco's pragmatic working methods. She's always in control and her body language speaks volumes. I said it before and I'll say it again: The French know how to make the best costume/period films so rich with details where you believe history is living & breathing before your eyes and never dull. And all the performances here are convincing and rewarding.
>>>The preview here shows what to expect in the story's lavish recreation of a bygone era and seeing the film on the big screen was worth a trip up north. Call this one Clash Of The Titans 2 starring two giants with egos & temperments to match, one from the world of fashion and the other of music.
