Start Again from Zero

I think I purchased my first Edith Piaf CD when I was about 13, when I sincerely believed that I was a Parisian simply born in the wrong city. I think I heard a recording of "La Vie en Rose" somewhere, and asked my parents who the singer was...I've been singing her songs in the shower ever since, and je ne regrette rien.

It is rare that I would begin my Oscar predictions as early as June, yet after watching Marion Cotillard transform herself into Edith Piaf in the film La Vie En Rose, I am fairly confident that she will be in the running. If not, something will be terribly amiss. Ms. Cotillard has again proven herself to be a versatile, tremendously brave actress. Her chameleon-like performance as the mysterious Tina Lombardi in "A Very Long Engagement" was enough to give Audrey Tautou a run for her money, but here she has burst forth with a heart-rending intensity. The gesture, the posture, the movement - all of it is perfectly studied, and it is almost difficult to believe that such a young, beautiful woman is the same person in each scene. (Yes, here we are again at the somewhat touchy "beautiful-girl-makes-herself-ugly-wins-acclaim" argument, but all of that aside, this transformation is incredible.)

The life story of Edith Piaf is not a very happy one, but this film tells it beautifully, reminding that great art usually comes from great adversity. But, Madame Piaf was one that kept getting up each time the world knocked her down. I am so pleased that someone decided to tell this story on film, and that someone also decided to choose someone as talented as Ms. Cotillard in the role of La Mome. In her honor, I did a bit of trolling on You Tube, and found this video of the original...