Review of La Vie en Rose (2007) by Movie M — 30 Dec 2013

"La Vie en Rose", titled after her signature song, depicts the life of French singer Edith Piaf (Cotillard). Raised as a child in many troubled places that ranged from brothels, to the streets, and to even travelling with circus acts, Edith had a rough start to her go at life. But she was also born blessed with a voice made to woo the entire country of Paris, and the world thereafter. She rose to culturally historical status because of this. Her rise though, was continually embattled by her controversial lifestyle filled with substance abuse and a long list of dubious characters she picked up along the way. . . In all, it really does come across like the sad ballad that usually goes with every tragic but talented musical artist we have ever loved. Cotillard hands down deserved the Oscar for her turn in this as she hit every note and registered every high and low that Edith probably went through. The film as a whole touched on all the points needed and was a fine biopic, albeit just a bit slow at times. I will personally attest to have not actually known who Edith Piaf was before going into the film, and it left me intrigued to know more by the time the credits rolled.

Film Grade: A-.

Marion Cottilard's Performance Grade; A+.