LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG (THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG) (1964) 9/10
I'm a fan of musicals. From TOP HAT to CABARET, from SINGIN' IN THE RAIN to MOULIN ROUGE, I just love them in every possible way. But I must confess that I was a bit worried before watching THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG, directed by Jacques Demy and starring the wonderful Catherine Deneuve. Not because it's French- some of my favorite movies are French (THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, BELLE DE JOUR, JULES ET JIM, SMALL CHANGE). That was because every line in this film is sung, something that made me love and hate EVITA. Watching it, I discovered one of the most lovely and beautiful films ever made, and also one of the most realistic musicals. If the characters talked instead of singing, this would still be a great film. But the music adds a charming, irresistible atmosphere that is never cheap or schmaltzy.
Deneuve never looked better as the girl whose passion for a young man suffers all kinds of trouble. The ending will make some people cry, but naturally. Naturally as the lines are sweetly sung by the actors.
This is not the kind of movie you are used to watching, not even the usual kind of musical. It's just a wonderful film that will make you forget the world out there.
I'm a fan of musicals. From TOP HAT to CABARET, from SINGIN' IN THE RAIN to MOULIN ROUGE, I just love them in every possible way. But I must confess that I was a bit worried before watching THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG, directed by Jacques Demy and starring the wonderful Catherine Deneuve. Not because it's French- some of my favorite movies are French (THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, BELLE DE JOUR, JULES ET JIM, SMALL CHANGE). That was because every line in this film is sung, something that made me love and hate EVITA. Watching it, I discovered one of the most lovely and beautiful films ever made, and also one of the most realistic musicals. If the characters talked instead of singing, this would still be a great film. But the music adds a charming, irresistible atmosphere that is never cheap or schmaltzy.
Deneuve never looked better as the girl whose passion for a young man suffers all kinds of trouble. The ending will make some people cry, but naturally. Naturally as the lines are sweetly sung by the actors.
This is not the kind of movie you are used to watching, not even the usual kind of musical. It's just a wonderful film that will make you forget the world out there.