La Vie en Rose

SYNOPSIS

This is a biopic of legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf - she of Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien fame. Undoubtedly her life had the makings of a fascinating story, but it could have been better told here. The fractured structure of Olivier Dahan's film is often confusing, with the tale flitting about all over the place. And there are incidents in the "Little Sparrow's" life that are skated over, such as her involvement with the French underworld and the sudden appearance of a child. It's as if this already lengthy drama had been cut down from a much longer film. But none of these quibbles should detract from a stunning lead performance by Marion Cotillard (who won both a best actress Bafta and an Oscar for her trouble). She doesn't just act Piaf - she is Piaf. The result is a flawed diamond, but a diamond nonetheless.