Piaf, the musical
Friday, July 20, 2007 Posted by Eric
After I saw Tomate's yesterday post in the forum about the Edith Piaf movie with Marion Cotillard I noticed that they are currently having a musical about her at L'Olympia, one of the most famous music halls in Paris. I haven't seen it and I won't because I don't feel too comfortable about this. I can hear the producers say "hey, the film was a big hit, let's do a musical now!" Maybe I'm being too French! Anyone has seen it? Is it good?
July 20, 2007 12:25:00 AM GMT+02:00
Well, of course, I haven't seen it, but I can tell you that the reception of Piaf, the movie, is mixed in the States (well, at least in the Bay Area).
I don't want to spoil it for people who haven't yet seen the movie, so I will only say this: people here seem to be having trouble recognizing the characters around Piaf's life when they appear in the movie and also, they tend to feel that the general tone of the movie is too morose. However, I also know a few (American) people who have seen it twice, already. Safe bet they'll probably buy the DVD when it comes out (they are devoted fans) so they can also see the special features.
I found some cool French archives on Piaf (the real Piaf) and I'll try to post that in the forum this week-end.
By the way, I wish I could give Ms. Marion Cotillard 10 Oscars for her sublime performance!!!
July 20, 2007 12:26:00 AM GMT+02:00
I saw it in Paris. Fabulous...Cotillard does an amazing job. She is utterly divine as La Mome. It was called La Mome in Paris but here in the states they call it La Vie en Rose. The gal who plays Marlene Dietrich isn't convincing but then she'll do. I saw the real Piaf years ago onstage here (Florida) She gave me chills when she sang. I was very young then. When I was 10 my grandmother gave me a 78rpm album of Edith Piaf....I wore out the records. Check out Johnnysarc, thank you.
July 20, 2007 12:40:00 AM GMT+02:00
I guess you are talking about me, Tomate; I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I've seen La Vie En Rose twice! It was very sad, yes, but as far as acting and production go, WOW! It's safe to say I'll buy the DVD. Heck, I already bought the soundtrack.
I love French Movies. The French are not afraid to show the darker side of life. Not every story has a happy ending.
Eric, I see that Sly and the Family Stone are also appearing at L'Olympia. I don't recommend going unless 10 minutes of the elusive Sly is good enough for you. He didn't give us in San Jose much more than that.
July 20, 2007 2:40:00 AM GMT+02:00
I love Piaf but agree with you Eric. You'd have been walking out wearing a Piaf t shirt, clutching your Piaf book, sporting a Piaf badge and holding a Piaf CD. Hmm. Actually the last one probably would have been good. Pop into the foyer and pick one up! lol.
July 20, 2007 6:42:00 AM GMT+02:00
I agree with you Eric. I get tired of lame musicals that play off films just to make a buck. Good business doesn't translate to good or even passable art! I have not seen the Edith Piaf film, but from what the other bloggers have said, I am interested. However, I'd likely have to pass on the musical (overkill), just as I would on say "Footloose" unleashed on Broadway. Yikes!!! (Sorry Kevin Bacon fans out there!)
July 20, 2007 9:17:00 AM GMT+02:00
Hi Eric, I saw the film in the Dublin, Irish Film Centre about a forthnight ago. It was fantastic! It made a reasonable job of being biographical and succeeded wonderfully in conveying the tragedy and passion (more so the passion of her adoring public) of this extraordinary Parisian. It took all my efforts not to burst into applause following that extraordinary 'Close-up-shot' finish to the the movie, when she sang 'Non, je ne regrette rien'. By the way, you have gotta see 'Paris, je t'aime!' Magnificent!
July 20, 2007 3:42:00 PM GMT+02:00
Bruno Coquatrix (1910-1979), a legend of French show business, who owned and was director of the Olympia Music-Hall, is featured fairly prominently in La Vie en Rose. So, here's another link between the movie (which I loved) and this musical.
July 20, 2007 3:54:00 PM GMT+02:00
Haven´t had the chance to see the movie yet, but I enjoyed the link to L´Olympia and its coming attractions.
Although I was in shock to find out that ABBA still exisits!
July 20, 2007 4:49:00 PM GMT+02:00
We saw "Abba" last year. They were great. Only a few of the originals were in the show. We missed Avenue Montaigne because we were out of town. Was it good?
July 20, 2007 6:15:00 PM GMT+02:00
I saw Avenue Montaigne ("Fauteils d´orchestre) last month. I loved it!
One of the best I´ve seen lately so I strongly recommend it.
July 20, 2007 6:15:00 PM GMT+02:00
Watch out when you ask about musicals, because Johnny will be on the spot! I love these dialogues about artistic productions. Eric was asking who saw the musical, not the movie, I believe. No matter. I'm embarassed to say I have not yet seen the film, but I should. It's hard for me to go inside for an evening during the summer in Minneapolis: I do that in the winter.
July 20, 2007 8:09:00 PM GMT+02:00
I saw this movie in Dallas a few weeks ago. Piaf's singing is very moving and Cotilard is wonderful. It is a good reminder for ladies to look after themselves and their bones!
July 20, 2007 8:36:00 PM GMT+02:00
HEY! Monica: aren't you supposed to be in Paris by now?
July 20, 2007 9:08:00 PM GMT+02:00
Almost there Jeff, almost there! I´m leaving next week!
July 21, 2007 12:23:00 AM GMT+02:00
Ok, don't forget those security requirements when you're packing!! If I don't check in with PDP before then, bon voyage.
July 21, 2007 12:40:00 AM GMT+02:00
The Olympia is virtually a "Temple" to some of the greatest artists that have ever lived, and I agree with Eric that it is hard to see them use a person after their death to keep the cash register Ka-cchhingg!! But hey..Look what they did to Jesus or Buddha for that matter??
I have seen the movie twice and might see it again...I cried at least three times during the film as the performance by Marion Cotillard is absolutely "Sublime"!!
I seldom cry at movies, but Piaf is like a part of my past, my childhood. I remember listening to her sing in the background while growing up and reading in the paper when she would come to New York. We were as fascinated with her as we were with Jackie Kennedy or Marilyn Monroe! My parents would play her records at parties and people would dance and sing...they adored her!!
I agree with tomate that much is missing in the film and if you don't know a lot about her life there are many unanswered questions, but she lived several lives crammed into one short one and it is a lot to comprehend. For example, the amount of people that took to the streets in Paris for the march to Pere Lachaise for her funeral was the biggest crowd since the end of WWII..VE Day!! She was denied a Funeral Mass by the Catholic Church because of the "way she lived her life"...and the crowds and soldiers at her grave almost caused Marlene Dietrich to fall into the open grave...she lost a shoe!! But she just turned and said..."they loved her so"! A priest that loved her read prayers at the grave and was rebuked by the Bishop..all her life was about survival and love, we will never hear a voice like hers again! johnnyparsons was soooooo lucky to see her!!
monica...I liked "Avenue Montaigne" as well..very cute, and a French movie with a happy ending..very rare!!! LOL!! I loved the actress that played the theater usher..."Dani"!! Superbe!! Bon Voyage!!
July 21, 2007 12:54:00 AM GMT+02:00
Ohhh..wow!! Hugues Aufray will be there in October...euro come down please!! Perhaps I had better start eating more rice and beans and save my monnaie??? Ehhh!
July 21, 2007 1:35:00 AM GMT+02:00
You love Dani, Tonton? Then, get ahold of "La Nuit Americaine" (Day for Night) with Truffaut where she plays a script girl:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070460/
The movie is OK, not depressing, kind of entertaining, about movie making. Truffault plays a movie director.
July 21, 2007 3:44:00 AM GMT+02:00
Jeff thanks, I do have in mind the security requirements! but thanks a lot for reminding me anyway!
Tonton thanks and I agree with you that actress was superb. And what about that little old lady, the grama? soooo cute!
hey, same here, I've been praying for the euro to come down!!
October 13, 2009 10:15:00 AM GMT+02:00
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