Watch La Vie en Rose

La Vie en Rose is a French biographical musical film directed by Olivier Dahan that portrays the life of legendary French singer Edith Piaf. The film's title refers to Piaf's signature song "La Vie en Rose" which she famously performed throughout her career. The movie was released in 2007 and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress for Marion Cotillard who portrayed Piaf.

The film follows Piaf's life from her early childhood to her death through a series of non-linear flashbacks. Born on the streets of Paris in 1915, Piaf's life was full of hardships and struggles. She was sent to live with her grandmother in Normandy after her mother abandoned her and her father went to war. Her grandmother was a brothel madam, and Piaf spent most of her childhood performing on the street with her father.

In 1929, at the age of 14, Piaf was discovered by nightclub owner Louis Leplée (played by Gérard Depardieu) and given a chance to perform on stage. Her performance was a huge success, and soon she was performing regularly in nightclubs across Paris. She met and fell in love with boxer Marcel Cerdan (played by Jean-Pierre Martins), but their relationship was cut short when Cerdan died in a plane crash in 1949.

Throughout her career, Piaf struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol, and her health started to deteriorate. She continued to perform even when she was too weak to stand, and her emotional rendition of "Non, je ne regrette rien" became one of her most famous songs. In 1963, at the age of 47, Piaf died from liver cancer.

The film is a stunning portrayal of Piaf's life, and Marion Cotillard's performance as Piaf is nothing short of extraordinary. She completely transformed herself for the role, embodying the physical and emotional characteristics of Piaf while singing her songs with incredible authenticity. Cotillard's portrayal of Piaf's vulnerability, pain, and passion is heartbreaking and captivating.

The film's direction and cinematography are also outstanding. The use of color and lighting helps to convey the different moods and emotions throughout the film, from the dark and gritty streets of Paris to the bright and glamorous stage performances. The music is also a highlight of the film, with Piaf's iconic songs providing the perfect soundtrack to her tumultuous life.

Overall, La Vie en Rose is a powerful and moving film that captures the essence of one of France's most beloved singers. The film is a testament to Piaf's enduring legacy and a reminder of the power of music to transcend language, culture, and time.

La Vie en Rose is a 2007 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 66.