When I was a teenager, I discovered that every time a stereotypically “artsy” type in a television show or movie had a favorite anything that it was in my best interest to check it out. You know what I’m talking about– the black turtlenecked, black haired, black eye linered type that some jerk was always harassing mercilessly. For instance, from an episode of Clarissa Explains it All, I discovered The Seventh Seal, my favorite movie of all time. I don’t remember what it was that turned me on to Edith Piaf when I was fifteen or sixteen, but I’m positive it was something similar. Without ever hearing the first one of her songs, I bought an enormous box set of her music on CD which I played in my first car’s horrible stereo, tearing up every time as I sang along to “La Vie en Rose” and “Non, Je ne Regrette Rien.” The “soul of Paris” quickly became one of my favorite musicians of all time.
Even if you don’t know a word of French, the longing and passion in her unbelievably strong voice (especially considering she was well under 5 feet tall and very sickly throughout her short life) is enough that she transcends language.
Non, Je ne Regrette Rien — Edith Piaf
There’s a new movie out right now, La Vie en Rose, that’s a very messy and disjointed biopic of Piaf. While the story is all over the place (Ray or Walk the Line this ain’t), Marion Cotillard’s performance is absolutely worth the price of admission and deserving of every single accolade that she has accrued. It is always a delight for me to see someone so embody an artist that I never had the opportunity to see while they were alive.
I saw something about this movie. It sounds really great and this music is breath taking. I once sang this song in french for choir in high school. I think it may have been a song she once sung. I’ll have to check into that.
ps- I can so relate to checking out things that are named dropped by artsy tv characters. Clarissa Explains It All was my all time favorite growing up. I learned how to be cool from watching it lol.
My wife dragged me to the movie…just not a guy thing you know. After all, we’d been to a “real” movie the night before…Live Free or Die Hard.
The movie starts and sub titles. Oh my god! Oh well, at least the seats are comfortable. I’ll just slouch down and take a nap. Might as well put the time to some good use.
Hmmmm, whats that? The music, hmmm, that’s kind of good. Maybe I’ll watch a little. This is interesting. As the story progresses and “Non, Je ne Regrette Rien” is introduced I’m hooked.
The movie ends. The credits appear and the theater audience is silent and then the applause begins. I sit there stunned. I’ve perhaps just viewed the best movie I’ve seen in years.
The music (Original Piaf recordings) and Marion Cotillard’s portrayal could only be described as an Oscar performance.