Skipping back and forth in time, Olivier Dahan's elaborate mosaic of events delves into the hard life and times of French singer Édith Piaf. Her moving songs, filled with evocative lyrics about love's sorrows and joys, made her an icon. And exploring a turbulent life that remains veiled in secrecy, La Vie En Rose presents a non-chronological series of pivotal incidents: impoverished and homeless young Édith is abandoned by her half-mad mother, neglected by her circus-performer father, taken in by prostitutes, and abused by boyfriends. As cabaret owner Louis Leplée gives tiny Édith the stage surname of Piaf or Sparrow, yet another series of unfortunate events unfold, including substance abuse, heartache, and tragedy.—Nick Riganas