A Joyous Musical Romp (not !)

Rating: 10/10 (22 June 2007)

Make no mistake about it. Edith Piaf was France's answer to Billie Holliday. Like Billie, Edith was born roughly the same time as Lady Day, and wowed audiences not just in Paris, but all over Europe as well. Olivier Dahan's film captures Edith's tempestuous life from early childhood to her eventual tragic death at 47, from a lifetime of crushed dreams,alcohol & drug abuse, tragic love affairs,etc. What I admired about Dahan's screenplay was the way it managed to cut back and fourth in time from 1918 to 1963. Marion Coutillard plays "the little Parisian songbird" to perfection. I especially admired the make up work, which transformed Coutillard from a young Piaf into a drug addicted excuse who looks like someone 40 years older than the forty something Edith Piaf. Gerard Dapardeau has a small,but mighty role as one of Edith's early mentors. This is a film that is a must see for all those who consider themselves a serious fan of music. It's obvious that it's distribution will be limited (warning:it's in French with subtitles). Anybody who is mature enough to appreciate a fine film with an intelligent screenplay,excellent acting & believable characters should seek this one out (note:this probably excludes any Rob Schneider or Adam Sandler fans,as this will obviously will be way above your intelligence level---or the lack of it,thereof)