A Little Big Woman and Her Voice

Rating: 9/10 (28 February 2008)

Olivier Dahan has directed a wonderful biopic of legendary La Mome, Edith Piaf. The story of Piaf is tragic and heart-aching but also a kind of sad Cinderella story.
When she was a little girl Edith lived in very poor circumstances. Her father leaves her to a brothel where his mother is "in charge". When she was in her early twenties Edith gets discovered from the street where she and her friend are trying to earn their bred by Edith singing. There begins her singing career. Piaf's extraordinary voice and her shy performing charmed audiences everywhere in France. Afterwards Piaf conquered even America after a little struggle. In spite the success Edith Piaf's life was not completely a fairytale. She drank too much and later she was hooked on drugs which relaxed her. She defined her condition by performing even when she was really sick and fainted even.
The biggest reason to watch the movie is Marion Cotillard. Her strong performance as Edith is one of the greatest biopic portrayals in the history of film-making. Cotillard won a Oscar which was very well earned indeed. Such a great performance. Her expressions and body language are just like Piaf's which is a sign of a very dedicated acting.
The movie felt realistic and was not sugar-coded or too flattering. It was a story of a real Edith behind the mysterious mask. A worth watching!