Comments on: Film Review: La Vie en Rose (2007)

By: My Inner French Girl

My Inner French Girl — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:36:00 +0000

Bonsoir, Chris and Betty! The acting was the best part. I was blown away by Mlle. Cotillard. I haven’t a clue who her competition is at the Golden Globes, but I’d be surprised if she wasn’t one of the favorites. She was phenomenal. Indeed, everyone in this film was!

Colleen, the jumping-around part didn’t bother me much, especially not after the first half hour. I think I got used to it; even knowing what was going to happen in the end because of the “flashforwards,” I still felt a bit of suspense nearer the end, wondering what was going to happen. I did wonder about the ending(s), but I hesitate to watch it again because of how powerfully I reacted to it the first time. Maybe in a year or so, and then I can watch it with a more critical eye.

Salut,
Marjorie

By: Betty C.

Betty C. — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:21:00 +0000

I agree with Chris Late — the acting is amazing.

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:29:00 +0000

Though the movie jumps around, it surely mimicked her life.

By: Chris Late

Chris Late — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:48:00 +0000

I’d say anyone should see the film for Marion Cotillard…it’s an astonishing performance. The editing of the movie drove me crazy however, with overlapping death bed scenes, last minute revelations (a child?), etc. I’ll never get why “Mon dieu” (or whatever it was) played over Marcel’s championship fight. Great acting, but, for me, a bit of a mess.

By: My Inner French Girl

My Inner French Girl — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:40:00 +0000

Chere LBR, that was a good decision. It's definitely not a film for someone wanting to steer clear of sad movies at this time.

You're welcome, and thanks for the comment!

Salut,
Marjorie

By: My Inner French Girl

My Inner French Girl — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:38:00 +0000

Colleen, I’m with you. I made the mistake of watching it on my laptop at a cafe, and I had to stop a few times to control myself before I could go on. I think I walked around in a daze the rest of the day. What a great film to pick for the holidays, eh?

Chere Betty, merci for your comment! I was definitely inspired to read more about Piaf after watching the film. Just a quick perusal of her Wikipedia entry revealed so many more things about her life that weren’t covered in the film, probably because she had led such a full life.

Salut,
Marjorie

By: Betty C.

Betty C. — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:59:00 +0000

I found that anyone not familiar with her life would have been totally lost. We were familiar, but still found the mishmash disconcerting.

By: Colleen

Colleen — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:48:00 +0000

This was a beautiful review. When I watched the movie, I was so moved by the time I got to the end I couldn’t control my thoughts. I enjoyed it so much.

By: My Inner French Girl

My Inner French Girl — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:25:00 +0000

Bonjour, Betty! So good to see you!

I saw that NYT review as well, although not until I'd written my own. I try not to read reviews of films I know I'll be seeing, as I don't want my reaction to be influenced by another's opinion. I think A.O. Scott and you share that opinion with many others!

For me I rather liked the non-linear form, although it doesn't always work. I wondered if Director Dahan was making the assumption that all of France was already somewhat familiar with the basics of Piaf's story, so he chose instead to create a sort of video album of her life, like "Thirty-Two Short Films of Edith Piaf." The film seemed more episodic than traditional storytelling, which might work if you already know about the central character.

I was surprised to read in the Piaf bio on Wikipedia that she'd been married three times. Just based on the film, I knew she had married, but Dahan had chosen to give each husband such minor, almost cameo roles, that I wondered if the choice stemmed from his lack of interest in that part of her life.

Have a great weekend!

Salut,
Marjorie

By: Betty C.

Betty C. — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:35:00 +0000

Every party has a pooper, that’s why I invited myself…

I did not like this film. As NYT’s reviewer A.O. Scott put it:“’La Vie en Rose,’ which Mr. Dahan wrote as well as directed, has an intricate structure, which is a polite way of saying that it’s a complete mess,” I agree. Doesn’t anyone else?