Review of La Vie en Rose (2007) by Lawrence A — 09 Aug 2010

La Vie En Rose is a beautiful, lyrical movie with an astonishing performance by Marion Cotillard. To watch this gifted actress gradually inhabit this role is nothing short of an apex experience for patrons of the film actor?s craft and leaves little doubt as to whether she deserved the Best Actress Oscar for 2008. This autobiographical drama is about the life of Edith Piaf, the French chanteuse and national icon of the 40s and 50s. It is so full of life and love as it faithfully follows Piaf?s life libretto. And it was truly a remarkable life--- passionately lived and energized with one great love in the person of Marcel Cerdan, the French boxing champion. It is a true life story that is richer than any fiction.

I was first introduced to the ?Little Sparrow? by PBS over 35 years ago and immediately (inexplicably) fell in love. Two songs were responsible for this quirky affection on my part and they are both showcased in the film; "La Vie en Rose" (1946)* and "Non, je ne regrette rien" (1960)**. The story of Edith Piaf is revealing about human culture and national identity because she came to represent France during one of its darkest periods, the Second World War.

To me what is revealing is about this tale is the universal way in which music, particularly song, is directly, viscerally connected to a nation?s marrowbone. It works the same in Egypt, Turkey, Iran, China, Greece, Germany or just about anywhere else national identity has had time to take root. Some things appear to be universally required for this effect. First, it is usually women who carry an anthem like this. Second, they sing in the particular national language in question and, finally, they must typify something intrinsic and inseparable from what indigenous admirers consider essential to being natives of the country in question. Why? I think it?s because song is the fusion of poetry and music. Moreover, song is like the exposed ganglia of a country?s nervous system and it connects directly to the emotional life of a people. It is through the true chanteuse that they can reinforce their deepest sense of particular self. And this was Edith Piaf, the French songbird.

I defy anyone to watch the movie and hear the songs from the little sparrow without smiling. This smile is the deep down spirit-smile of familiarity when one recognizes the intersection of time, place and person into the glorious, unmistakable mystique that is art. See this movie and savor the performance of Edith Piaf?sorry? I meant Marion Cotilard.

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*Means ?life in pink? or life is beautiful.

**Means ?No?I regret nothing?.