An Incredible Movie

[Oak Kitten]

I just finished watching "La Vie en Rose." a movie based on the life of Edith Piaf. It is fantastic. Incredibly moving, and the actress who portrayed Piaf was just amazing. If you rent the DVD and watch the segment after the movie that shows how the actress got into her role, you will not believe the transformation she had to make to play that part. As soon as the movie finished, I looked at some old clips of Piaf performing in the 1950s and was totally blown away - not only by her performance, but how well the real woman was captured in the movie. I can't recommend it highly enough. Wow.

Oak

[Mary6906]

thanks for the recommendation, Oak.... I've been wanting to check that out, next time I'm up for a rental I'll look it up.

- M

[Elliott]

I was lucky enough to see the film at an old movie theatre in Houston; I loved it. I bought the dvd when it came out (something I rarely do), and did research on Edith. I loved her talent, and her story. Another great flick is Accross the Universe. I saw it at the theatre, and just bought the dvd. The soundtrack is good too. All songs are by John and Paul.

[Oak Kitten]

Elliott,

Mr. Oak just saw "Across the Universe" last night, he thought it was really good as well.

Oak

[gisli]

Just saw a small part of the BAFTA awards, no surprice there that Marion Cotillard won the best female actress award for her role as Edith Piaf.

[kiwi mike]

Thanks for the recommendation, Oak Kitten! I will definitely watch it, on a DVD!
Pat and I, went to Paris,1998.....and we went to the cemetery, where Piaf is buried. I think it is visited ever day, so many admirers (such as me)! And, I think, she was "nick-named" as ..."The Little Sparrow".
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u115/kiwimike_nz/MVC-018F.jpg
Kiwi Mike

[DaveM]

Is there a dubbed version available? The one available at Blockbuster has subtitles, and while I don't mind them much, they do distract from what appears to be a highly visual movie.

[Oak Kitten]

The DVD I got from Netflix had French and English versions, but I went with the subtitles, so I am not sure if the English version worked. I clicked on it just to see what it would be like, but nothing happened. That could well be the result of my complete ineptitude with the DVD potato.

Oak

[lucille]

And, I think, she was "nick-named" as ..."The Little Sparrow".


Yes Mike,that was her nick name.

Greetings from across the ditch by the way. I have been following your progress, and you are doing so well. I hope you have saved all your posts, (but then you could get them from here anyway). You should be working with other stroke sufferers - you would be a shining example of g and d.

[kiwi mike]

Very nice to see you! I could'nt remerber that "lucille" was an Australian ...um....sort of! I remembered that...somebody was an Ausie..but...who was who? Oops! I decidit to write it down, so that I would remember, properly........starting with lucille!!
The note about "You should be working with other stroke sufferers ".......well, I would like to, but, as I can't drive any more, and can't travel on a bus (fare too confusing for me). If I could figuer out how to get there.....year, i would love too! Unfotunatly, my wife has to work!
And. one last question..........what is.."g and d?".
nmm.......I will ask my friead/helper (Carolinne), on Friday.....could I acctuly help somebody.

Kiwi Mike

[lucille]

Mike, G and D is 'guts and determination'.

Sorry Oak, we seemed to have hijacked your thread. "We'll just talk amongst our southern selves";)

[Oak Kitten]

Marion Cotillard took home the Oscar for best actress for her portrayal of Edith Piaf. I don't watch the Oscars, but I was pleased to see that Hollywood recognized her talent.

Oak

[Elliott]

I didn't even know it was "Oscar" night until a friend suggested we watch together. "La Vie en Rose" was the only movie I had seen that was nominated for anything. I thought the awards show was always in March or April... at least I got to catch up on a little sleep.

[Jan de Vries]

And I still don't understand why several years ago "Heavenly Creatures" by Peter Jackson only got a nomination and not the Award itself. Do you know this movie? Incredible and it truly happened...

[Oak Kitten]

Have not heard of that one Jan, I will have to check it out.

Oak

[Jim in Chattanooga, TN]

I was thrilled when Marion Cotillard won the Academy Award. Maybe this will enable more access to that brilliant film!

[Jan de Vries]

Have not heard of that one Jan, I will have to check it out.

Oak


Check www.heavenly-creatures.com
An amazing website about the movie and the true story behind it. It all happened in New Zealand in 1954, the Parker Hulme murder case.
Two girls of about 16, Pauline and Juliet, were very close friends (or in love with one another). The parents were against this because they suspected something. The two had all sorts of fantasies about a medieval kingdom and an alternative Heaven which they called The Fourth World. (You see them entering it in the movie). And they were great fans of singer Mario Lanza and movie star James Mason.
When the threat of separation became imminent, they knew only one solution, like in their violent fantasy stories...

Peter Jackson has stayed close to the diary one of the girls kept, a voice-over is reading all those quotes from the diary. A creepy movie, but beautiful.
Kate Winslet's first role!!!
I hope you can buy the DVD somewhere.

[gisli]

Heavanly Creatures is incredible.......and strong is what one needs to be when watching it....one gets angry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c17OtUZtE-c

[Mary6906]

I shall have to check this movie out next time I'm out for some rentals, looks good.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[dutchcloggie]

And I still don't understand why several years ago "Heavenly Creatures" by Peter Jackson only got a nomination and not the Award itself. Do you know this movie? Incredible and it truly happened...

I loved that movie. Two fabulous lead actresses and so much better than anything Jackson did afterwards (yes, LOTR included!) Mind you, I am ashamed to admit that my current favorite film (Loving Annabelle) is nowhere near as deep & meaningful as Heavenly Creatures.

[Mary6906]

I just watched Loving Annabelle just the other week. It has been on the Logo channel every now and then.

[dutchcloggie]

Loving Annabelle really is not a very good movie when you look at the quality of the product: choppy editing, important scenes too short, needless ones too long, certain storylines in the 'wrong' order and, most of all, a teacher who has the willpower of a wet lettuce leaf! (But then again, did we not all dream of that yummy teacher secretly having a crush on YOU, rather than the other way around?)

And yet, I have become mildly obsessed with this film recently. I can totally absolutely not explain why. (apart from the obvious reason....:D )


Back on topic: I am listening to Edith Piaf in the office today as the film inspired me to revisit her music again. Yay!

[Mary6906]

Brings to mind the Van Halen song "Hot for Teacher" :D

[Jan de Vries]

I loved that movie. Two fabulous lead actresses and so much better than anything Jackson did afterwards (yes, LOTR included!) Mind you, I am ashamed to admit that my current favorite film (Loving Annabelle) is nowhere near as deep & meaningful as Heavenly Creatures.

Thank you for your reply. I read that in the UK you cannot rent or buy Heavenly Creatures, you have to order it from abroad. Is this really so?? Is there a ban on this movie or is it just the policy of the video shops?

Did you know Melanie Lynskey, who is playing the role of Pauline, was not a professional actress at the time, she just had played in some school dramas. Aged 15, she was cast for this role because she resembled the real Pauline so much. It is fantastic how she does it when you know that... I'm really moved by her play.

Jan

[Jan de Vries]

And Kate Winslet of course was great too! Also her first role except for some tv work in the UK.

[Oak Kitten]

Heavenly Creatures is in my Netflix queue.

Oak