Édith et Marcel

Édith et Marcel is a 1983 French biographical film directed by Claude Lelouch. The film depicts the passionate romance between singer Édith Piaf and boxer Marcel Cerdan in the late 1940s.

Plot

In 1947, the singer Édith Piaf and the boxer Marcel Cerdan are both at the peak of their respective careers. Their encounter gives birth to a passionate love affair lasting some two years, cut short by Cerdan's death in an air crash. The film presents this historical romance alongside a parallel fictional love story between characters Jacques Barbier and Margot de Villedieu.

Production

The film was originally conceived with Patrick Dewaere cast as Marcel Cerdan, but Dewaere died by suicide in July 1982 during pre-production. Claude Lelouch then made the remarkable decision to cast Marcel Cerdan Jr., the boxer's actual son, to portray his father. The film incorporates both original Piaf recordings and new compositions by Francis Lai.

Reception

Édith et Marcel received mixed critical reviews. The film holds a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven reviews. Time Out praised Évelyne Bouix's dual performance but criticized the film's excessive length and sentimental approach.