When neither Julie Christie nor Ellen Page won the Academy Award for best actress, I thought, "who the heck is Marion Cotillard?" After seeing "La Vien En Rose", I now realize that had Cotillard not received the award, it would have been a travesty. The girl can pretend ya'll.
"La Vie En Rose" is now one of my top five favorite movies. Let's review the list, in no particular order:
1. Central Station
2. Gattaca
3. La Vie En Rose
4. Cry the Beloved Country
5. Juno
Now back to Cotillard and Edith Piaf, whose amazing, yet tortured life is the subject of "La Vie En Rose". To be honest, I had never paid any attention to Piaf, but now I have her on my iPod. I have no idea what she is singing about, but what a voice. It's a voice that packs in a lot of information ... storytelling through and instrument honed throughout a childhood of singing on the streets.
This biopic is devastating and very sad, as Piaf's life itself was, but it is an amazing story shot by a gifted director Olivier Dahan, with gripping video photography - so beautiful that it would be compelling even without sound. Not that the sound isn't essential - Piaf was a force and the Cotillard's lip synched performances drive the film.
Though not a feel-good movie to be enjoyed on fun Friday movie night, it's worth the time. Rent it on a rainy Monday and prepare to be enthralled. Post a comment and tell me what you thought of it.
