Marion Cotillard
Marion Cotillard garnered critical acclaim for her roles in films such as My Sex Life… or How I Got Into an Argument, Taxi, Furia and Pretty Things. She has also appeared in such films as Big Fish, A Very Long Engagement, A Good Year, Public Enemies, Nine, Inception, and La Vie En Rose. In her latest movie, she appears in Christopher Nolan’s thriller Inception, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio.
It is not often that you see on screen in the modern era the aura of a silent-era film starlet, appearing so natural and authentic as an actress and conveying strong emotions seemingly without effort. French actress Marion Cotillard is one of those rare gems. It is also a rare actress who can skip the gutter and enter Hollywood as a full-fledged star. But that’s what Marion Cotillard did when she seemingly out of nowhere to win an Academy Award for her performance in 2007’s La Vie en Rose.
Marion Cotillard (born 30 September 1975) is a French actress. Cotillard’s parents were both active members of the Paris theater community who lovingly nurtured their daughter’s creative talents and encouraged her to pursue a career on the stage and screen.
Cotillard debuted onscreen at just 16 years old and she appeared in various French films. In 1997 Marion Cotillard first won an award for her stage performance in ‘Affaire classée’ and won the part of Lilly Bertineau in ‘Taxi’. It was the most successful summer comedy in France that year and she also got nominated as Most Promising Actress for a César award – the French Oscars.
Gilles Paquet-Brenner’s dark family drama Pretty Things earned Cotillard her second César nomination and Cotillard finally won the César trophy as the result of her role in ‘Amélie’ director Jeunet’s ‘A Very Long Engagement’ cementing her arrival as a formidable onscreen talent.
Having achieved fame in her home country she got a small but notable part in Tim Burton’s Hollywood film ‘Big Fish’ opposite Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Ewan McGregor. It was her introduction to English audiences. In 2006, Cotillard filmed her second American movie, ‘A Good Year,’ opposite Oscar-winner Russell Crowe in the romantic comedy directed by Ridley Scott.
In 2006 she assumed the role of a lifetime in the Edith Piaf biopic, ‘La Vie en Rose’ by Olivier Dahan. Cast as the enigmatic French songstress who went from being a common street busker to a national icon, Cotillard drew near unanimous praise from critics worldwide. It went on to be the opening film of the 57th Berlin International Film Festival and Marion Cotillard’s performance received standing ovations lasting over 15 minutes.
Her turn as Piaf brought Cotillard the much-coveted Best Actress Oscar, the César, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe among other prizes. Notable year-end accolades include Best Actress awards from the L.A. Film Critics and the London Film Critics Circle. She also received Critics’ Choice Award nominations as well as a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
Her next roles were of the prestigious Hollywood variety; first in the Michael Mann period crime drama ‘Public Enemies’, opposite Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Cotillard then earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the Rob Marshall musical drama ‘Nine’, where she starred alongside Daniel Day-Lewis and Penélope Cruz.
In her latest movie, she appears in Christopher Nolan’s thriller ‘Inception‘, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio.
Marion Cotillard works closely with Greenpeace, is the face of Lady Dior, and performs under the name Simone with the French rock act Yodelice. In 2010, Cotillard was named a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, for her contribution to the enrichment of French culture.
Acting is only part of what gives her life meaning – and Cotillard wants to find meaning. She keeps her private life to herself. To be happy in her private life she needs – in her own words – to accomplish herself in her profession, but wouldn’t be satisfied if that were the only things in her life.
Cotillard will now star in Woody Allen’s ‘Midnight in Paris,’ opposite Rachel McAdams and Owen Wilson. Following that, She will play a doctor in Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Contagion’ opposite Jude Law, Matt Damon and Kate Winslet. Additionally, Cotillard is attached to star opposite Colin Farrell in David Cronenberg’s thriller ‘Cosmopolis’.
Safe to say, you can expect nothing but great movie experiences from this Marion Cotillard.
Related Videos
Author Bio: Movie Review Guru
