Review of La Vie en Rose (2007) by Cesar C — 20 Dec 2014
Musical biopic of legendary French singer Edith Piaf, nicknamed the little sparrow, chronicles her meteoric performance career from childhood until her death at age 47. Told in non-chronological order, beginning with Piaf's grim upbringing, from being raised by her maternal grandmother in a brothel to her early struggles as a street performer; it's depicted honestly but the structure is disjointed and confusing.
Piaf's habitual drug dependency is portrayed with obviousness but not lingered over. Considering the almost two-and-a-half hour running time, it's almost inexplicable that Piaf's involvement with the French Resistance during World War II is completely glossed over.
As Piaf, French actress Marion Cotillard - with her wide, perceptive eyes and baritone voice - has a potent physicality and expressiveness that suggests Liza Minnelli in "Cabaret." Cotillard lip-synched the songs sung by Jil Aigrot.
She won the Oscar as Best Actress. The film also won for Best Makeup. Songs performed include: "Mon Homme," "La Vie en Rose," "Padam Padam," "Non, je ne regrette rien.
" Co-written by Isabelle Sobelman and Olivier Dehan. Cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata is superb. Directed by Olivier Dehan. With Gerard Depardieu, Sylvie Testud, Jean-Pierre Martins, Emmanuelle Seigner.
In French with English subtitles.
This review of La Vie en Rose (2007) was written by Cesar C on 20 Dec 2014.
La Vie en Rose has generally received very positive reviews.
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