Review by Robert Waldman
Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky (PG) * * *
Creative Cleavage!
By ROBERT WALDMAN
Artists can be fickle at times. So can be corporate types. A chance meeting between two up and coming trendsetters sets of turbulence in Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, an eye-popping expose from Mongrel Media now courting your favour at the Ridge Theatre.
French is in for some reason, especially as it relates to Coco Chanel. Just a year or so ago North American audiences saw the first big screen portrait of this fashion icon and, I’m told, a smart look at her career made inroads on cable T.V. Now we learn more about this dynamic woman in Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky. This time we get to see up close and personal the French diva’s relationship with a visiting Russian conductor.
Igor Stravinsky in 1920 was the toast of Russian music. Brought to audiences here by way of top Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) you can sense the nobility of this perfectionist. Meanwhile, this Russian pianist extraordinaire is married to a woman with a string of children. Igor gets literally “taken in” by Madame Chanel who is robustly portrayed in an award winning performance by Anna Mouglalis.
Director Jan Kounen here has crafted a beautiful biographical portrait of two rather strained lovers. Being able to conceal an affair from one’s spouse is no easy task but our man Mads does his best to keep the secret going. Pity his poor wife who has to “take” it. Impressive is the take no prisoner’s attitude by Ms. Mouglalis who runs with the part of this domineering woman who runs roughshod over all who come her way. That sense of elegance is well presented here along with the rather revering behaviour all who comes Coco’s way seem to get caught up with.
Beautiful music, as could be expected, fits both lifestyles of these two larger than life figures. Once inside the Chanel mansion you see all the trappings of success that this woman clearly enjoyed. Only the start of this movie seems a bit flat as it lingers. You do, however get a sense of the passion thee two had for each other and their particular diverse pursuits.
Told in French with English subtitles Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinskyshows a side of two 20th century cultural/business giants in a light few have likely seen before. 120 minutes slides by with a certain foreboding.
Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com
Showtimes Vancouver
Festival Cinemas Ridge Theatre
3131 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC
4:00 7:00 9:30
Lucia Santiago Dantes is the Film Critic and Editor of El Kiosko Magazine. 
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