Out of such tragedy DOES come beauty & love

Rating: 9/10 (5 August 2007)

La Môme" (2007), was shown in the U.S. with the title "La Vie en Rose." The film was co-written and directed by Olivier Dahan. It portrays the life of the great French singer, Edith Piaf. Marion Cotillard stars as beloved Parisian Edith Piaf, whose passion for her music saw her through a life filled with tragedy. From her forlorn childhood in a brothel to her big break at Louis Leplee's (Gerard Depardieu) nightclub and her premature death at the age of 47, director Oliver Dahan creates a loving portrait of the legendary chanteuse. Sylvie Testud and Pascal Greggory co-star in this critically acclaimed biopic. In French soundtrack with English subtitles, this movie going experience was so emotion filled from all perspectives- but the cinema photographic experience , the abyss of her pain, love of others (often unrequited), her emotional outlet coupled by her religious conviction & the beauty of her music was absolutely phenomenal. Cotilliard portrays a shy, gamine singer to a severely debilitated woman who can barely walk, shaving her hairline and her eyebrows. Her lip-synching is very realistic. She dominated the movie. The story line zigzags with way too many flashbacks. Fortunately dates in supra titles help.
Piaf's life was so full of hardship, tragedy, and triumph that even this long film could not really accommodate all of it. In view of Piaf's dismal childhood, and her continual forced partings from people whom she loves and who love her, it's amazing that she survived at all, and more amazing that she could rise to become a national icon. The movie is not as dramatic as Piaf's life. Born in December 19, 1915, She grew up in Paris Brothel ghettos, following the footsteps of her mother. She experienced a severe keratitis-leaving her blind for a period of her childhood. She married at 17 and had a daughter, who succumbed to meningitis two years later. She was discovered as a street singer after discovering her talent at a younger age- forced to street sing by a cold & abusive father. Soon Louis Leple'e discovered her strong voice as she sang on the street in the Pigalle district and booked her in an elegant cabaret on the Champs Elysee Boulevard, La Gerny. He gave her the nickname of La Mome. Then Leple'e was murdered.
A new agent, Raymond Asso, and other husbands and lovers followed. She attracted talented singers, actors and songwriters. She was a devoted friend who put her own career on hold to mentor young singers like Yves Montand, her lover, and Charles Azvanour. Marlene Dietrich was a close friend. Piaf called world boxing champion Marcel Cerdant the love of her life, although they could not marry because he had a wife and three children. He perished in a plane crash in October, 1949. She investigated spiritualism and mediums to communicate with him.
Despite her addiction to morphine for pain and alcohol, liver disease, and severe arthritis compounded by two car crashes, Piaf returned to the stage in 1955 at the Olympia in Paris and Carnegie Hall in New York, where she was the first variety singer to appear at the classic-music venue.
It is not the script that is melodramatic, but Piaf's life. Nonetheless she remained positive with her lifelong love and generosity for people, her religious faith, and her devotion to music. She passed at 47, leaving a very worn body.
Marion Cottillard as the "The Little Sparrow" (La Mome) is the main reason to see this film about the short and tempestuous life of Edith Piaf.
The soundtrack is, of course, wonderful. Piaf had real talent. That's clear to everyone who has heard her recordings (and clear to all the characters in the film as well). Most of the soundtrack doesn't utilize Piaf's voice--for reasons I don't understand--but the artist whose voice is used sounds amazingly like Piaf. You could enjoy this movie just for the music, even if you couldn't see it.
And for me the highlight was toward the end when Piaf sings NON JE NE REGRETTE RIEN (NO REGRETS). The song written for Piaf is a summation of the film and her life. And for the first time in a VERY long time, I actually had tears on my face in a cinema.
This film is a legend in its own time. There are certain performances that we remember in our hearts forever. I think that by now it is common knowledge that this actress is sensational and this film must be seen for her performance alone. Just remarkable. The film itself, however, reminds us what 'movies' used to be all about. You leave with that wonderful feeling as the credits role as if you have just witnessed something so monumental and unforgettable which you don't want to end. The lump in your throat just sits there blocking your speech, wanting to cry but maybe too embarrassed to show and express that much emotion. I used to feel that so often in the 70's, which was a wonderful time at the movies. A time when people were not afraid to feel and films were made to tell a story, move people and did not follow the almighty 'formula' of movie-making simply for the all-mighty dollar. No contrived plot twists, no surprise endings and no digital special effects. This movie is made with love and has plenty of heart and soul. Do yourself a favor and see it!!! Some of the editing may cause some confusion and disturbance due to the jumping time-lines, however, that is a small complaint. Just stay with it. Most of the editing is that way on purpose to reference different parts of this woman's unbelievable life. Piaf is an important artist who deservingly received this important film as a final homage to her art and life. She did it with love and so does the movie, 'La vie en rose.