Two high profile artists are struggling. Coco Chanel, maker of dresses (and soon to be perfume) has recently lost her lover in a car wreck. Igor Stravinsky is getting opposition for his recently released music piece with new wave artists involved. Each is desperately trying to find their way again and, by happenstance, they bump into each other. Chanel invites Stravinsky, and family (with dying wife), to her cottage to help him make the next great composition. Her intentions, while nice on the outside, are self-serving, as she merely wants to conquer Stravinsky and make him her muse. Stravinsky feels the same way, as he makes her his muse. Each character uses the other to help further their own career and reignite the passion they’ve been missing. Regretfully, such things come at a cost.
I’m not sure about this movie, folks. First, please know that I love ‘love stories’. I think they speak to everyone and provide hope amongst the lonely movie going masses. There’s so much you can walk away with from a love story that it’s potentially one of the greatest forms of film ever. With Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky I’m not certain it could be called a ‘love story’. For one, Chanel is a certified bitch in this movie. She isn’t likable and she doesn’t treat anyone well. For example, when Chanel is making her way through the Stravinsky family to get to Igor she completely understands what she is doing and who she is hurting. Stravinsky’s wife is dying and that still doesn’t stop Chanel from moving forward for her self-serving needs. Coco Chanel is impossible to like or accept as someone who is passionate about Igor. She’s just so unlikeable that you can’t stand to watch her work; most of all the audience won’t be able to respect her.
The other side here, Igor Stravinsky, is more likeable, but not by much. He truly is lost with stress from his failed show, his dying wife and just life in general. He understands why Chanel invited him and his family to the cottage, but goes through it anyway. He is remorseful at the end and regretful for his life. Still he chooses the wrong path by the end of the film and you end up disliking him.
This movie was shot beautifully, as you get some of the most gorgeous locations (especially the cottage/mansion), but it didn’t really have a beautiful story inside of it. I understand that possibly the filmmakers were trying that ‘torn love’ edge to the story, but it simply didn’t work out. Now, with all that said I think that Mikkelsen Mouglalis, as they gave very passionate, steadfast performances, but it seems wasted by the end. Great actors, just not a fabulous story.
As for the Blu-ray, you don’t get any special features with the movie, but the quality is pretty good. The period piece really shines visually with the nice HD upgrade. You also get some very beautiful locations that are magnified by the Blu-ray format. I particularly liked the scene where Stravinsky’s composition is played in an opera theater. Mesmerizing shots mixed with beautiful colors equals really gorgeous eye candy in HD. The audio was as equally gratifying to the senses.
Finally, as for the features you get a good featurette on what they did to create the film. It’s informative and insightful.