You gotta love Piaf

Rating: 8/10 (24 June 2007)

La Mome, or La Vie en Rose, is a charming film with an outstanding performance by Marion Cotillard. Although Ms Cotillard's portrayal of Piaf borders on caricature, it works well here.
The story is told non-linear, with lots of flash-backs and flash-forwards which becomes a bit tiresome about two thirds of the way through; however, once we reach the end of the film it becomes clear as to why the film was edited this way. The only way to have solved the problem of becoming slightly bored would be to edit out a good half hour, but choosing which bits to cut would be problematic. I'm sure that subsequent viewings will be that much more satisfying with an understanding of the film's structure.
Although La Mome is a litany of hardships suffered by Piaf, it stands as a testament to personal strength. Non, je ne regrette rien takes on new resonance after seeing this film.