La Vie En Rose

Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Gerard Depardieu, Jean-Pierre Martins

Dir. Olivier Dahan
Scr. Olivier Dahan & Isabelle Sobelman

La Vie En Rose tells the story, from childhood to stardom to death, of Edith Piaf. Piaf was one of France’s most celebrated and beloved singers. Her speciality, the tragic ballad, reflected her equally tragic life, which is the focus of this film. Her early death, at the age of 47 from liver cancer, has ensured her status as an icon in France. A perfect biopic this is not. But to get a sense of who Piaf was and what made her sing in that haunting way, see this film. See this film also for the amazing performance of Marion Cotillard, as Piaf, who completely becomes this tenacious and talented lady of the stage.

The French certainly know how to lay it on thick. From the opening scenes, this is a story of loss and tragedy and redemption and glory. With some prostitution thrown in for good measure. Piaf’s early years were anything but typical – abandoned by her mother, dumped on her grandmother who ran a brothel, taken on the circus trail by her contortionist father, suffering from poor health and a bout of blindness along the way. When fame did find her, she was a rough-as-guts young woman who had to be taken in hand to be made the star she was to become.

The story-telling in La Vie En Rose is a little jarring. Jumping from present to future to past and back again, the audience must keep their wits about them to stay on top of the storyline. But, in a way, this film is about getting a sense of who Piaf was and what made her the great singer she became. It is less about telling a linear and tidy story. In fact, the war years are overlooked completely which may annoy some moviegoers. Also, the great love (which was to become the great tragedy) of her life is introduced rather abruptly and, for a time, I was at a loss as to who he was.

The reason these flaws are not fatal to the film, however, must be accredited to Cotillard who truly puts in the performance of a lifetime. Playing Piaf from late teens through to her eventual death, Cotillard embraces this role fully and becomes the funny, little, rough-around-the-edges icon. Piaf is not always likable. In fact, in some scenes, you want to reach into the screen and give her a clip around the ears. But Cotillard always plays her with compassion. Also, her performances on stage, mimicking the style of Piaf, are a sight to behold. The final number (No Regrets, her signature song) is a heart-breaking and moving scene. If you don’t cry, you aren’t human.

Cotillard is fortunate to be surrounded by a great cast. Other standouts include Manon Chevallier and Pauline Burlet (who play Piaf at 5 years old and 10 years old respectively), Gerard Depardieu as Louis Leplee, the man who first discovered Piaf and gave her a stage to sing on, and Sylvie Testud who plays Piaf’s best friend, Momone.

This is not a perfect film by any means. But it is an emotional and compelling telling of a larger-than-life figure, whose unmistakable voice will always be remembered. I would recommend.