What an odd idea, that one must 'like' the character to appreciate a good film. Presumably the reviewer didn't rate 'Downfall' [Der Untergang] because Adolf Hitler wasn't very 'likeable'.

Lincon Zinn, Chester, UK

I saw this film three times and if I had the time, I'd see it more. My first impression was like it was a great painting that you could see so much into. I just loved being overwhelmed by the sound and the imagery and of course that great actress. I absolutely loved the movie and want the DVD. THis film did not pander to the audience; if you were not up to letting yourself go to enjoy it completely, go and see some Holloywood movie meant to fill the theaters.

RitaSue Siegel, New York, New York, USA

This HP totally threw me I have no idea what was going on and I have read all books so I was expecting more from this movie. They chop out too much from the book I know they couldn’t use every thing from the book but it should and could have been better. This is the worst HP ever made they should get that guy that made the first two to do the others. Everyone who is a true fan should go out and see it and make up there own minds. I am still a big fan nothing can change that.

Nadine Clover, Brantford, Canada

I completely agree with the reviewer; though Marion Cotillard is undeniably brilliant in this role, Edith Piaf is written to be so unredeemable that it's nearly impossible to sympathize with her at all. It seems that they simply took every terrible thing that happened to her and shoved it into 2 1/2 hours, and considering that her personality was considerably larger than most, so were her problems. The thing that I found most upsetting though, was that they completely ignored her involvement in the French resistance. She once charmed Nazi soldiers into takeing her to see the French POW's, where she took pictures with them and used the photographs to make illegal passports that saved many lives. Had a story like this been in the film, I think it would have improved it enormously and given us at least something to admire in her. With so few highs, it quickly becomes hard to appreciate the film's treatment of the innumerable lows.

Anne, Richmond, USA

I'm afraid I have to agree with Ms Howerska. If this is how the movie hit this critic, he's out of touch with the great majority of audiences on this one -- certainly all the people I know who have seen it.

Mantha Stoirmeil, New York, NY

were you watching the same film as I was?

A great theatrical performance of a great theatrical life and brillantly acted by Marion Cotillard. I think you must have been half asleep judging by your comments, although I don't know how you could have been with Piaf's strong vocals to keep you riveted. I think you should see more of the dreadful films that are around at present, half-baked rubbish catering for the 14 year old boy audience, then perhaps you would appreciate this type of genre film more. Perhaps it was wasted on you, i.e. not that the film was not good but that you were not a worthy viewer of the film.

J wheeler, newport beach, USA

This is a mean-spirited review, full of cynicism that misses the point of triumph over adversity, of more accurately, how peopl struggle internally when they do, for brief moments, navigate a path through unimaginabel obstacles. Full of hope and towering performances, the film is simply wonderful.

julie howerska, York, UK

Marion Cottillard is on a par with Helen Mirren in The Queen. Like her, she doesn't simply ACT Edith Piaf, she becomes her.
Like Mirren, she deserves the Oscar, and like her she is the sole reason for seeing this film.....her acting alone is worth the price of a ticket.
Whatever you think of Piaf as a singer or woman, whatever you think of the way this film is made, I defy you not to be moved and impressed by Mlle. Cotillard's superb performance as Piaf.

Simon Cooper, London, England

just a minor point, but I think 'chanteuse' simply means 'female singer', not 'diva'

Katie, York, UK

I could not agree more. In spite of all the praise I'd heard about this picture, I was not able to enjoy it. All the unneccessary shifts in time and circumstance made me sit and actively wonder about where we were in the story rather than being moved by all the horrible events. And the boxing scenes!, You'd think the film was about a fighter!. It was a chaotic and unclear tale and did nothing for Edith Piaf's name.
Personally, I have always found her voice and her chansons fantastic. After seeing the picture, I find I like her less.

S. T. Leithe, Alesund, Norway

I could not agree more. In spite of all the praise I'd heard about this picture, I was not able to enjoy it. All the unneccessary shifts in time and circumstance made me sit and actively wonder about where we were in the story rather than being moved by all the horrible events. And the boxing scenes!, You'd think the film was about a fighter!. It was a chaotic and unclear tale and did nothing for Edith Piaf's name. Personally, I have always found her voice fantastic, After seeing her biopic, I find I like her less.

S. T. Leithe, Alesund, Norway