Where The Umbrellas of Cherbourg lamented the tragedy of one missed connection, Jacques Demy follows it up with a much more upbeat love story in The Young Girls of Rochefort. It’s more hopeful. Even before you watch the end, it's clear that there's not one, but two chances at a happy ending, since there are two couples. But on top of that, it's the girls' conviction in love that makes everything brighter. Despite the logistics of their act, or the coincidences that had to align, or even the serial killer mentioned, The Young Girls of Rochefort remains bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, celebrating the bubbly optimism that musicals would have us believe in.
Synopsis
Delphine and Solange are two sisters living in Rochefort. Delphine is a dancing teacher and Solange composes and teaches the piano. Maxence is a poet and a painter. He is doing his military service. Simon owns a music shop, he left Paris one month ago to come back where he fell in love 10 years ago. They are looking for love, looking for each other, without being aware that their ideal partner is very close...
Storyline
Twin sisters Delphine and Solange hope to find romance and leave their small seaside town, which they might find through the fair happening on the weekend.
TLDR
Mild spoilers: Yes, there was an axe murderer mentioned, I was surprised too.
What stands out
The cast. It’s a delight to find out that Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac are actually sisters, but spotting George Chakiris and Gene Kelly adds to the feeling that anything can happen, in the best possible way.
