La Vie en Rose

The life of Edith Piaf—the legendary French chanteuse who rose from an unhappy childhood to become an icon in her native land and an international star—is the sort of floridly melodramatic showbiz story (Piaf's life was beset by illness, drug addiction, and a succession of failed marriages and affairs) that practically begs to be dramatized. Filmmaker Olivier Dahan's La Vie en Rose is not perfect: the chronology of Piaf's life occasionally becomes confusing, and some salient details are missing (the fact that the young Piaf had a child who died in infancy is not mentioned, and the WWII years when “The Little Sparrow” warbled for German occupiers but secretly aided Resistance forces are entirely ignored). But these flaws are easily outweighed by the film's notable strengths, especially Marion Cotillard's magisterial performance, which uncannily captures the flamboyant diminutive singer from her 20s to her 40s (and the music, of course, is magnificent). La Vie en Rose is a moving testament to Edith Piaf's troubled short life and her unique and unforgettable artistry. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the eight-minute featurette “Stepping Into Character” detailing star Marion Cotillard's transformation into Edith Piaf, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a fine biopic.] (F. Swietek)