Uplifted beyond its merits by a stunning performance from Marion Cotillard, the humdrum biopic of Edith Piaf, La Vie En Rose, jogs obligingly along with Piaf the legend rather than the woman.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
The New York Times by A.O. Scott
La Vie en Rose, which Mr. Dahan wrote as well as directed, has an intricate structure, which is a polite way of saying that it's a complete mess... In the end, as often happens in movies of this kind, La Vie en Rose is saved by Piaf herself.
Los Angeles Times by Carina Chocano
Marion Cotillard astonishes as Edith Piaf in 'La Vie en Rose.
Wall Street Journal by Joe Morgenstern
The film is long and sometimes harrowing, but also enthralling.
Thanks to the extraordinary performance of Cotillard, who expertly lip- syncs to Piaf recordings and disappears into the part, few will regret seeing La Vie En Rose, named after a famous Piaf tune. Just brace yourself for a film of unvarying intensity that seems longer than its 140-minute running time.
TV Guide Magazine by Maitland McDonagh
It's sometimes wrenching to watch, but it's too gripping to turn away from.
Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman
Hurtling and impassioned, driven by some of the greatest popular music ever recorded, this wildly overripe and unkempt biopic is a true experience.
Christian Science Monitor by Peter Rainer
La Vie en Rose elevates Piaf the archetype over Piaf the artist. Although I question this approach, I'm not sure it could have been done any differently, at least given the facts of Piaf's life. If there is such a way, Duhan didn't find it.