Writer/Director: Olivier Dahan
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud and Pascal Greggory
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Marion Cotillard. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Cottilard has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s renowned singers, dreamers or frustrated mothers, the actress has played many powerful characters. Arguably, Cotillard’s strength as an actress is her commitment. She is one of those actresses thar has always poured her heart and soul into every single role. A French icon, Cottilard has become a celebrated figure in foreign Cinema. An actress with undeniable charisma, Cottilard has become a renowned movie-star achieving success. Through her abilities to play women that are compelling, Cotillard has built a bold legacy that’s lasting. A French icon that has a strong commitment toward her craft, Cottilard has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout her long-lasting career, Cottilard has produced several strong movies that are definitely without any doubt absolutely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Cotillard and adore all the movies she has made in her career. However, “La Vie En Rose” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2007, Marion Cotillard’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best biopics ever made about a musician. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Marion Cotillard, who portrays a renowned musician with beauty. Ultimately, what makes “La Vie en Rose” a commemorated musical biopic is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about French musicians targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles powerful themes which everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing musical masterpiece about a commemorated singer, there are many strong reasons why “La Vie En Rose” is a movie that is definitely worth watching.
“La Vie En Rose” tells a true story of how Edith Piaf became a beloved French musician with a lasting legacy. Marion Cotillard portrays Edith Piaf, the renowned French musician reflecting on her life story. As a child, Piaf experiences a troublesome childhood defined by trauma. She is neglected, abused and abandoned by her parents. Nearly losing her vision, Piaf endures traumatic incidents in her childhood. However, she never gives up her lifelong dream to be a famous singer. Piaf’s strong commitment to her craft allows her to overcome barriers that she is facing. As the odds are stacked against her favour, Piaf wonders whether it’s possible for her to become a famous singer. Facing a dilemma, Piaf questions whether it’s possible for her to achieve her dreams in a profession causing trauma.
Olivier Dahan is a newcomer towards stories of musicians. Before he directed “La Vie en Rose”, Dahan had never made a biopic about a singer before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of a renowned French singer, but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Dahan captured a French singer embarking on a journey to discover her identity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as stunning as songs that Edith Piaf seeks to materialize. Dahan expertly uses long takes to capture journey of a singer embarking on a quest to find her identity. For instance, the long takes elevate the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Edith Piaf faints on stage experiencing breakdown during a performance which causes tension. One admired long takes capturing the tense hardships that a singer is facing. Long takes are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” demonstrated, long takes enhance classic gangster movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through appealing visuals, Dahan captures the commemorated life of a renowned musician with love for singing.
Another admirable aspect of “La Vie en Rose” that’s worth praising is the production design. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Throughout the film, Dahan uses stunning costumes to demonstrate Edith Piaf’s transformation into a world-famous musician. For instance, costumes elevate the auditioning scene. During this unforgettable scene, Edith Piaf delivers an unforgettable performance at a local restaurant in France. One appreciates costumes capturing the life of a world-famous French musician with a strong love for singing. Through stunning costumes, Dahan creates a strong character which audiences can easily relate toward. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Camille Francois’ commemortated music is key to the movie’s success. Francois’ music pays heartwarming tribute towards Edith Piaff by showcasing the musician’s timeless melodies. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which commemorated musicians bear. Through powerful production design, Dahan honours the legacies manufactured by divine musicians which compose memorable melodies that don’t lose abilities to shine.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “La Vie en Rose” is a captivating music biopic that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses non-linear storytelling to capture sad hardship that a French musician is facing. Dahan’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture hardships faced by French musician through non-linear storytelling. The movie deftly switches back and forth between two distinct timeliness: Edith Piaf’s tragic past as a child that’s abandoned by her family and present-day life as a singer. For instance, the non-linear storytelling enhances the childhood scene. During this unforgettable scene, Edith Piaf recounts her heartbreaking memories of being separated from her beloved mother in a tragedy. One recognizes non-linear storytelling capturing the tensions that a singer is facing. Through a non-linear structure, Dahan crafts a larger than life musician that audiences easily relate to. Non-linear storytelling is a complex technique to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” demonstrated, non-linear storytelling enhances science fiction movies about dreams. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Dahan captures musicians which seek to play melodies with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Marion Cottilard delivers one of her greatest career performances as Edith Piaf. Cotillard achieved appreciation for playing women in classic period pieces. With “La Vie En Rose”, however, she took on her most challenging role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a legendary French singer that changed the world, but Cotillard succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Cotillard is known for her roles in serious dramatic movies. With “La Vie en Rose”, the actress showcased flair for singing melodies that she hadn’t shown in her career before. With riveting expressions, she captured angst, desperation and trauma of a female singer which seeks success. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the best actresses working in the modern film industry today.
Finally, “La Vie en Rose” would earn praise of everyone for capturing musicians. Unlike most movies about French musicians, it discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses strong themes such as anxiety, depression and career which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be French to appreciate the themes of the movie. It delivers a strong message about importance of pursuing one’s dreams that would resonate with everyone.
Fans of Marion Cotillard will definitely admire “La Vie En Rose” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating French musical masterpiece, it celebrates an actress that is iconic.
Nearly 90 years after Edith Piaf developed a lifelong long for singing overcoming a traumatic childhood to become a beloved French icon that was awe-inspiring, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actress that has built a huge fan following accomplish worldwide recognition for her abilities to portray renowned historical figures that are compelling whose captivating movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 