Review of La Vie en Rose (2007) by Raymond W — 13 Jan 2012

La Vie en Rose needs more than one viewing to understand what the filmmakers are trying to say. I loved the way Olivier Dahan took Edith Piaf's life, and took it for what it was. Her life is a very depressing and sad story with happiness and relevant parts scattered throughout. Basically, the life of famed french singer Edith Piaf is life is like a scattered puzzle. Random pieces are found when we are looking for something else. The movie really tries to show the way she lived her life in the way they put the film together. It jumps back and forth, sometimes without giving timelines, she's old in one scene, and young in the next. While I was watching the film, I got very confused, and near the end of it's almost 2.5 hour running time, I felt like the film was starting to drag. Maybe that's partly because I didn't understand the film for what it was.

The cinematography, the sets, the art direction, and costumes were all very impressive. The music was wonderful and made me feel like I was in Paris. Edith Piaf's voice is just marvellous and I think it can connect with anyone no matter who they are. But I think the main reason this film is a must see is for no other reason than Marion Cotillard. I only have one word for that performance as Edith Piaf: Jaw-dropping. She simply becomes Piaf. I mean there is no Marion Cotillard in there, it's all Piaf. That performance is probably one of the best of the last decade. So overall, La Vie en Rose is an artsy, sad and depressing biopic on France's famed singer Edith Piaf with a simply mesmerizing performance from Marion Cotillard.