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The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

The Very Best

8.8

Movie

France, Germany
French
Drama, Romance
1964

TLDR

Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand… Thank you.

What it's about

The coastal town Cherbourg in Normandy, late 1950s. Umbrella boutique seller Geneviève falls in love with Guy, the dashing mechanic next door. However, after he gets drafted to serve in the Algerian War, Geneviève is forced to face a life-altering decision without him.

The take

If we were to list down the best of the best movie musicals ever made, most of the titles would probably come from the Golden Age of Hollywood. But we’d be remiss to forget that just a few years later, all the way across the pond, came The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, a French romantic musical from Jacques Demy. It's certainly in the running for the most gorgeous musical ever made, with the bold, dreamy colors, incredible camera work, stylish costumes, and two beautiful leads front and center, but what makes Cherbourg great is the lush composition made by Michel Legrand. With the sweeping violins and the tragic lyrics of Devant le Garage, to the catchy, jazzy Scène du Garage that starts off the film, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg brings together sublime visuals and sound into one of the greatest musicals ever made.

What stands out

Look, some viewers might not be a fan of how every line of dialogue is sung here. I get it. To each their own. But don’t tell me that whenever the main theme plays, you’re NOT crying. Don't lie to me.

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