La Vie en Rose

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a film called "La Vie en Rose" was showing at our local cinema here in England. I was a little surprised to see a film with a French title and wondered idly what it was.

When I eventually looked at its website and discovered it was a French film with English subtitles, I persuaded my husband he ought to come with me. As did a friend, so we all went together, in spite of some fairly feeble attempts at escape by our menfolk.

For those of you who don't know the film, it's a life story of Edith Piaf. I say "a" life story, because an awful lot was left out. The time line is far from linear and occasionally that can be quite confusing, but I believe the reason for that becomes clear in the end. On her death-bed she says that her memory is failing and that she can't remember anything at will. Memories return unbidden and it seems to me that was reflected in the way the plot darted around.

The actress, Marion Cotillard, who plays Piaf, is herself 31 but does a wonderful job of portraying her with conviction from the age of about 15 right up to her death at 47 (and looking very much older). The make-up was excellent but so too was the acting. I understand she mimed to the songs but you would never know.

I suspect I was the only one of the four of us who really enjoyed it, and the men may even have gone as far as saying they disliked it. Nevertheless, in spite of a later night than anticipated followed by a busy day at work, and having spilt coffee down my front right at the start, non, je ne regrette rien.