Thomas’s review published on Letterboxd:
“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” is my first contact with Jacques Demy´s cinematic universe and I´m already in love. The film is an enchanting, emotionally captivating, and aesthetically pleasing experience and proof that a movie can be both delightful and heartbreaking at the same time. The entire dialogue is sung, which feels a bit strange at first, but you quickly get used to it and then you can´t imagine any other way this story could be told.
The first thing you notice is the absolutely gorgeous aesthetic of the film. The vibrant colors, sublime cinematography and framing, and the beautiful sets and costumes make “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” a true feast for the eyes. The breathtaking visuals combined with the wonderful score and sung-through musical approach make the film feel like a magical fairytale, but at the same time, it tells a painfully realistic, sorrowful, and bittersweet story about young love, chance, growing up, loss of innocence, and the unpredictability of life. This contrast between content and form fascinates me and gives the film a truly unique vibe.
Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo are magnificent as the young lovers Geneviève and Guy. They both deliver expressive and emotive performances and their chemistry is incredible. And wow, Deneuve´s radiating beauty truly lights up the screen. What a woman! Anne Verrnon as Geneviève´s mother is great, as well. The musical presentation further heightens every emotion and makes every line of dialogue feel more important and impactful.
One aspect I love about “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” is that there is no villain except life itself. Geneviève´s mother only wants the best for her daughter and Roland and Madeleine, who end up marrying Geneviève and Guy, are genuinely good people you can´t hate. Geneviève and Guy should be happy, and they probably are most of the time but it´s hard to forget your first love. They will always feel a sting of melancholia and regret whenever they think of each other. This is a universal experience and true to life.
“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” is a stunning, profound, and moving meditation on love and life in form of a 90 minutes long colorful musical. It is a masterpiece of French cinema that was influenced both by theater and classic Hollywood musicals and in turn influenced a wide variety of filmmakers, from Wes Anderson to Damien Chazelle. Jacques Demy´s vision and direction are extraordinary, and I look forward to further exploring his filmography.
