The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg (1964)

Genre: Musical/Romance         Time: 1h 35mins             Director: Jacques Demy

Quick Summary: Genevieve, who is pregnant from Guy, a mere motor mechanic, is pressurized by her mother to marry the wealthy Roland, who is ready to accept and raise her child. Will Genevieve accept the proposal?

This is honestly a timeless classic that will never feel outdated, and better yet it is wonderfully all spoken in french.

Firstly, unlike most big musical productions, there are no show-stopping production numbers. There's no dancing, no chorus, and no duets. Secondly, there are no spoken lines of dialogue, everything, from the mundane to the important, is sung. Finally, this isn't a lightweight happy film, it gets very emotional and honestly very heartbreaking.

Also, this is visually stunning, with the film’s wall-to-wall colour scheme, which presents a world where almost everything has taken on the most beautiful pastel hues that never feel out of place. Among the things that are so coloured are the characters’ clothes, the walls and furnishings of their apartments, and even the same umbrellas that come out frequently in this very rainy town.

The plot doesn’t seem to be much on paper, but it is as poignant as it is ordinary. Honestly, it really sticks with you. It is one that happens most of the time in real life. People sadly marry by chance rather than people marrying for love. And that is Demy’s point: that coincidences, luck, and good timing seem to matter even more than love in marriage. Honestly thinking about it is really heartbreaking.

I adore the emotions explored in this, as yes it is a romance but it gives you intense moments of joy and adoration as well as regret and anguish, which all make up a very bittersweet story.

Even though I think all the singing is beautiful and a very clever idea, it is hard to tell when a full song is actually happening as there is nothing to discern between the two, which unfortunately makes the songs rather forgettable. Though I still enjoyed them.

Everything about this film was done to perfection. Demy is one of the most underrated directors of French cinema. I recommend this as it has definitely stood the test of time.

10/10

"Why is Guy growing so distant? I would have died for him. So why aren't I dead?"

"It's not my weariness that saddens me. It's his silence."

"Why is absence so heavy to bear?"