A lot left unexplained

Rating: 7/10 (27 June 2007)

I have to say that i enjoyed this film notwithstanding the fact that it constantly switched eras.However what the director seemed to have forgotten is the fact that whilst many of us are familiar with and enjoy her music we are unfamiliar with her life.So it was only by reading the mini biog on IMB that i was able to make a great deal of sense out of what was happening.For example no explanation was given as to the reasons for her drug taking.The birth of a child was not mentioned.The murder of her first mentor was not explained.Why was she paying money to the pimp.Was she a prostitute?None of this was made clear and i feel that this detracts from the film and makes it more difficult for audiences outside of France to fully understand her story.