The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
Directed by Jacques Demy
[Not Rated] 1hr 31min
★★★★½
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a French musical romance film that has all of its dialogue sung by the actors. The story is about a young couple trying to make their relationship work despite the various obstacles they encounter. When a major development suddenly alters the trajectory of their lives, it puts their relationship at risk as they struggle to maintain their connection going forward.
This is a stunningly beautiful film in every aspect, from its visuals and sound to its narrative. The art direction and cinematography brilliantly incorporate vivid colors into the narrative in ways that reflect the characters’ emotions in each scene. The emotional weight of the story is also enhanced by the continuous singing throughout the film, which allows the characters to effectively convey their thoughts and feelings by direct and natural means that aren’t possible through normal dialogue. These elements work perfectly together to create a highly compelling story that provides deep, meaningful connections with the characters as they navigate the unavoidable circumstances forced upon them.
I highly recommend The Umbrellas of Cherbourg to anyone who enjoys musicals and films with strong emotional resonance. It offers a very different experience from the typical Hollywood musical, so it’s also worth watching to see its more grounded and reserved style of the musical genre. This film won the Palme d’Or at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival and was also nominated for five Academy Awards.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is currently available to stream on Max. Click here to watch the trailer.
– Review by Will Hopper