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'La Vie en Rose': A Short Review:

67.72.98.89

Edith Piaf has always been one of my favorites since college days. Infact I still have some old LP's of hers.
'La Vie en Rose' is the story of Edith Piaf from her childhood in a brothel to her final year before her death at 47.
It won an Academy Award nomination and NetFlex viewers gave it 4 stars out of 5, which I would do about the same.
If you like Edith Piaf, you will be captivated by the film, otherwise, perhaps not.
Her story begins in about 1928 when she is a small sickly child, sent to her grandmother's brothel, which she is the madam. One of the prostitutes actually befriends and mothers her to health.
From there she earns her pennies singing in the streets of Paris, -until she is recognized as a talented singer by a promenent nightclub proprietor. From there her caotic career begins.
What was missing in the film was the WWII years. I had the impression, that was told to me somewhere that during the war years she worked with the French Resistants Movement and was given a French Honor Award. This was not mentioned, nor was WWII shown. Maybe what I heard was wrong.
Anyway, a lot of lip-sync of Edith Piaf songs for Edith Piaf lovers.

Follow Ups:

I like Edith very much but this is a depressing, cynical bio. Her life, as all - tinear 12:14:27 05/12/08 (0)
do, had ups and downs. This film only wishes to insult her memory by showing the negative.
A one-dimensional piece of crap and the performance is only spoken of because it's yet another beauty mascarading as ugly.
I read that some of the singing - PhilJ 20:33:45 05/11/08 (3)
was Edith Piaf, some was Marian Cotiard (sp) and some was done by a professional singer for the movie. I think Marian deserved the Oscar (though I did not see all the competing performances) she was excellent - even though the movie was a bit jumbled I am really glad I saw it.
- I agree about Cotillard, but the film was a mess - DWPC 14:06:55 05/12/08 (2)
  Another of the many good films wrecked by this "look at me" generation of directors who insinuate themselves on the audience via technical over-manipulation so viewers can't get "into" the story. Maybe it was the fault of screenplay writers, but I doubt it.
  
  As the guy who jumped off the 20-story building shouted as he passed the 10th Floor "So far..so good!"
  - RE: What I Did Do After Viewing The Film: - Vinylly 13:42:51 05/13/08 (1)
    Sunday, I dug out my old Edith Piaf LP's and enjoyed them.
    But, one thing I don't understand about the biography. Edith Piaf went through the WWII years in Paris. This experience should have had a drastic impact on her life, but the war was never mentioned in the film and seemed to have floated over that time in her life.
    Also, I was told she was part of the French Underground Resistance, and she was honored for her efforts. If this was true, then why was it not also mentioned in the film.
    - Omitting the Nazi Occupation was unthinkable...I didn't get it either - DWPC 22:48:13 05/13/08 (0)
      It would have given the viewers a very different perspective of Piaf and her post-war life. Its omission turned a bio into a manipulation. Chopping the film so unpredictably really made it a chore to follow. But the unexpected lack of Piaf's music was really the deal-breaker for me. Mostly bits and pieces; her most popular songs were largely ignored.
      
      As the guy who jumped off the 20-story building shouted as he passed the 10th Floor "So far..so good!"
      
      Edits: 05/13/08

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