La Vie en Rose

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La Vie en Rose ★★ La Mome; The Kid 2007 (PG-13)

Think Judy Garland—only French. Somewhat old-fashioned, non-chronological biopic follows the triumphs and tragedies of Edith Piaf (Cotillard), France's famous “little sparrow.” Dirt-poor little Edith grows up in a brothel, sings on street corners, gets discovered (by Depar-dieu's oily impresario), and finds success in cabaret with her astonishing voice. She also finds alcohol and drug addiction, ill health, and a tragic love with married boxer Marcel Cerdan (Martins). Cotillard is amazing in the lead, getting both Piaf's gestures and attitude just right (she lipsynchs her vocals). French with subtitles. 140m/C DVD . FR GB CZ Marion Cotillard, Gerard Depardieu, Emmanuelle Seigner, Pascal Greggory, Sylvie Testud, Clotilde Courau, Jean-Paul Rouve, Catherine Allegret, Jean-Pierre Martins; D: Olivier Dahan; W: Olivier Dahan, Isabelle Sobel-man; C: Tetsuo Nagata; M: Christopher Gunning. Oscars '07: Actress (Cotillard), Makeup; British Acad. '07: Actress (Cotillard), Costume Des., Makeup, Orig. Score; Golden Globes '08: Actress—Mus./Comedy (Cotillard).