Was the point to make us all do research?

Rating: 3/10 (13 July 2007)

I have always loved Piaf's music. I knew she travelled in the same social and artistic circles as Brel and Cocteau and Aznavour, and that she was very politically minded and active in the French Resistance, but little else. Now I can add the boxer Marcel Cerdan to those boldface names, but that's about all the new stuff I do know as a result of seeing this movie.
What I don't know:
Who were all those men who surrounded her -- husbands, lovers, agents, accompanists, composers, impresarios, doctors, who? I could never tell if they were the same men with all the time travelling.
Who were all those women who surrounded her -- sisters, lovers, secretaries, accompanists, composers, dressmakers, nurses, who? Especially Momone.
Why was she giving money to a pimp if she wasn't a prostitute?
Was the baby's father in the movie at any point before the end?
Why were WWII and her role in it left out?
This movie raises more questions about Piaf's life than it answers. I don't mind being inspired to do more research on a person, but I don't like being forced to do so in order to fill in the holes made by a woefully inadequate script.
The screenwriter, director and editor of this film deserve negative stars. They should have lots of regrets.
But I'd give the music, cast, costume designer, make-up artist and lighting director a 10.
I really wanted to love this movie. I am so disappointed.
rr