MARION Cotillard has thoroughly deserved the praise – and the Oscar award – that has come her way for her portrayal of Edith Piaf. She is more than convincing as the French singer who came out of the slums of Paris to capture worldwide attention. Cotillar

MARION Cotillard has thoroughly deserved the praise - and the Oscar award - that has come her way for her portrayal of Edith Piaf.

She is more than convincing as the French singer who came out of the slums of Paris to capture worldwide attention.

Cotillard perfects not just the voice of the Little Sparrow - the name given to Piaf - but also gives depth to a character which, at times, went through moments of torment.

Piaf's desire was to perform on stage: to give the audience her voice.

But in the shadows of her life were passionate relationships and the almost inevitable tragic consequences of her success.

It is all captured brilliantly by Cotillard in a way that makes us believe that she is, indeed, Piaf.