La Vie En Rose by Oliver Dahan, starring Marion Cotillard
Everything about this film is superb. The story of Edith Piaf was destined for immortalization in cinema -- swinging from tragedy to triumph as if clinging to the end of some tireless violent pendulum... it is no wonder her singing voice can rouse us or reduce us to tears - she lived the very limits of despair and elation. Marion Cotillard richly deserved the Oscar for this performance - she portrays Piaf from about age 17 until death, convincingly altering her posture, voice and face to suit -- it fills me with awe to watch actors of this caliber perform such transformations. And of course... the music... It is a fabulous mess, life. Don't you love it? Even when it kicks you and makes you cry?