La Vie en Rose

I haven't been writing about movies lately. Frankly I finally feel recovered from my recent illness, spine and heart surgeries and bad bouts of depression (not to mention dealing with grief over the death of my husband of 20+ years.) All occurring all in the space of the last 3 years. Whew.

Since I am recovered (except for occasional pain in my hip and walking with a cane) I feel restored to nearly full mobility (and learning to carry things with one hand--quite a challenge).

Being well again means I've been busy!

Since I'm busier and more active I just haven't taken the time to write/blog. When I'm not spending time with friends (usually eating out), I study, knit, cook, spend time with my dog (who seems just as peppy in the morning as I do and just as creaky and stiff in the evening), I also squeeze in time to read mysteries and watch movies.

I've been watching my way through Masterpiece PBS series--Marple, Poirot, Inspector Lynley. (Anxious for second season of Sherlock.)
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Last night I watched the DVD of La Vie en Rose. I started it rather late and it wasn't over until midnight, but I didn't miss one second of it. (And of course I read it since it was in French with English subtitles.)

The fact that it was in French with subtitles faded from my awareness as I fell deeper and deeper into the story and the movie. It was one of those movies where I suspend reality and am unaware of my surroundings and myself.

What can I say about this movie that has not already been said? It won numerous awards the world over especially for the lead Marion Cotillard. *See below. (She has most recently appeared in Inception with Leonardo DiCaprio.)

It was ... I don't know. It's beyond description. A ton of praise cannot be adequate.

It was BEAUTIFUL. At the end I felt awe and thankfulness that I was able to experience it.

Edith Piaf's life was full of difficulties and heart breaking events but done in such a way as to inspire endearment and gratitude for ones own life. You'll want to turn your life into a song.

I recommend this movie to everyone over the age of 12 and under the age of 110.

Even if you know the life story of Edith Piaf and the entire plot of the movie in advance, it is still a GOOD GOOD movie.

The songs were fabulous. I can see why Piaf's singing was so beloved. She must have held audiences enthralled. The singing, though not in Piaf's voice, was wonderfully done.

The acting was beyond good especially for the lead Marion Cotillard. I could not tear my eyes away from her while she was "singing." It was exceptionally amazing.

This movie will never fade away. It'll be a classic.

Please do watch it. Watch it. Watch it. Watch it.

P.S. I'm not sure if I saw whatever they call "Extended Version" or not. But it's good no matter what, if nothing more than the songs and performance of Cotillard.

*Marion Cotillard won seven Best Actress Awards for her portrayal of Édith Piaf in La Vie en Rose:
The Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
The Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Motion Picture (musical or comedy)
The Prix Lumière for Best Actress
The Golden Space Needle Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2007 Seattle International Film Festival
The BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
The César Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
The Czech Lion Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
info from Wikipedia

La Vie en Rose (2007)
The life story of singer Édith Piaf.
Director: Olivier Dahan, Writers: Olivier Dahan, Isabelle Sobelman
Stars: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud and Pascal Greggory