Standard Biopic with a French Flair

Rating: 7/10 (22 January 2008)

A fair biopic about French singer Edith Piaf.
The film is more creative than the usual biopic, taking a nonlinear approach to the narrative and a stylized approach to the visual look, both characteristics I admired. However, it's also a rather confusing film at times, because the director doesn't always make it clear where we are in Piaf's life, and characters come and go without being properly introduced to the audience. Marion Cotillard does an admirable job with the role she's given, which is standard biopic stuff: abusive alcoholic, unlikable person, brilliant artist. The film looks stunning, but that somehow feels wrong for such a gritty story; you come away remembering costumes and sets more than any details about Piaf's life.
Kudos to the makeup artist, who works miracles with Cotillard's physical appearance as Piaf physically disintegrates.
Perfectly entertaining but nothing special.
Grade: B+