Shirley Maclaine in "Coco Chanel"
courtesy of Lifetime
“Coco Chanel” (Lifetime)

Few people are legends in their own times but Coco Chanel was. Her influence on the world of fashion is momentous and her life story was truly one of a rise from rags to riches. Lifetime Television has an original movie based on her life and it airs this month. Shirley Maclaine stars as Coco, and helps breathes life into the legend.

Gabrielle Chanel was born into poverty. She was raised by nuns and her first job after leaving the sisters was as a seamstress. But fortune smiled on her in the form of men with money. Her first love was Etienne Balsan (Sagamore Stevenin). He introduced her to the upper classes and helped spark her ambition.

He also introduced her to Boy Capel (Olivier Sitruk) who was the great love of Chanel’s life. He inspired her to open her own business and backed her financially. When she took this step she had success beyond her wildest dreams.

Barbora Bobulova plays Chanel as a young woman and Maclaine plays her in her later years. Bobulova has the bigger part in the movie with Maclaine only appearing for brief scenes. Still Maclaine’s presence is felt in the film and she is still a forceful actress. Bobulova’s performance compliments Maclaine’s.

Malcolm McDowell co-stars as Chanel’s business partner Marc Bouchier. It is not an important role and McDowell brings very little to it. Sitruk and Stevenin are much more impressive in their roles.

Even though it is three hours in length this filmed story of Coco Chanel still seems to be abbreviated. There is also a feeling that occurrences are rushed. Maybe this woman just lived too much life to be captured in three hours.

Since most are not familiar with Chanel’s story there should be an audience for it. It is a story that combines romance, passion, drama and success. The viewer comes away from the film with an appreciation for this extraordinary woman and the life she lived.

“Coco Chanel” airs on the Lifetime Channel, Saturday, September 13 at 8PM.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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