A fabulous central performance

Rating: 9/10 (28 June 2008)

It is always a pleasure when a movie more than lives up to expectations and this one was definitely better than I expected it to be.I didn't know too much about Edith Piaf apart from the fact she was French and had the nickname 'the little sparrow'.I was shocked when I realised just what an eventful life she had and it is told in a very convincing way.
There is an excellent atmosphere throughout and it acted supremely well.Gerard Depardieu is impressive in a relatively small role and Emmanuelle Signor is very good as Titina,a prostitute that cares for a young Edith.I have been critical of her in the past but have to eat humble pie here as she proves what a fine actress she is.But the movie belongs to Marion Cotillard as Edith.She is quite simply brilliant,especially as Edith is hurtling towards the end of her life.Around the time of the Oscars I was spouting that Cate Blanchett should win best actress for her part as Elizabeth in 'the Golden Age'.As much as I think she was great in the movie,I now believe that the academy got it right in awarding the best actress gong to Marion Cotillard.It truly is a performance to remember.
This is a fine film.Moving,well directed and very well made.Don't let the fact that it is subtitled put you off in any way as dubbing would have probably ruined it.Nine out of ten and richly deserved.