The Soul of France

Rating: 7/10 (6 July 2007)

Greetings again from the darkness. Not really certain what to make of this one. On one hand, it is a remarkable biopic about a fabulous singing talent who lived an extremely troubled life. From a film-making perspective, it is all over the place. At times beautifully filmed, yet the non-linear presentation creates a mess when told over such a short period of time.
One thing for sure, Marion Cotillard is truly exceptional as the troubled Edith Piaf. What a transformation Ms. Cotillard makes from the wild, drunken youngster to the broken down, spunky forty-something whom life has blown by. If you doubt the physical transformation, let me remind you that Ms. Cotillard was the beauty from last year's Russell Crowe film, "A Good Year".
Terrific support work from Sylvie Testud as Piaf's friend Momone, Emmanuelle Seigner as her prostitute-turned-surrogate mother, and Gerard Depardieu as the nightclub owner who first recognizes this stunning talent while she sings on the street for coins.
Director Oliver Daham may or may not be a Piaf worshipper. He seems to pull no punches in making the point that she got few breaks in life, but also brought a significant amount of her pain onto herself through drinking and self wallowing. He does capture Piaf's amazing ability to burst through the pain and display the fantastic voice regardless of the moment's challenges. He does his best directing at the house of ill repute where young Edith gets dumped by her dad.
The film leaves many of the personal life rumors untouched and only mentions Yves Montand once, and throws in a quick scene with Marelene Dietrich ... both who figure large in those rumors! Regardless, the film is worth watching, if for no other reason that Ms. Cotillard's performance and the amazing Piaf songs.