Review of La Vie en Rose (2007) by Doug C — 17 Nov 2011

I was left breathless by this film and I was moved to tears more than once by the harrowing tale of Edith Piaf's life. She overcame so much, and had to endure more traumatic events than one should in a lifetime.

The fact that was able to keep her head up through it all (despite an intense battle she would eventually lose to addiction) and still make powerful and enduring music is mind blowing. Also, Marion Cotillard delivers one of the best performances by an actress in the history of film.

She simply is Edith Piaf, plain and simple. Although she doesn't do her own singing (because nobody could possibly duplicate Piaf's voice), it makes the film feel more real. Because she's so convincing as Piaf, we accept that it's Piaf's real voice coming out of her mouth because we feel as though we're watching Piaf herself.

It's a mesmerizing film and it converted me into a die hard Edith Piaf fan.