Watch The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, released in 1964, is a French romantic musical drama film directed and written by Jacques Demy. Starring Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, and Anne Vernon, the movie is a masterpiece in its genre and renowned for its impeccable screenplay, direction, music, and cinematography. The film was a commercial success and won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1964.

Set in 1957 in the small and charming seaside town of Cherbourg, the story revolves around two young and naive lovers, Genevieve Emery (Catherine Deneuve) and Guy Foucher (Nino Castelnuovo), who are deeply in love. She works in her mother's umbrella shop, and he is a humble mechanic who often visits her during her work hours. Despite the difference in their social status and the reluctance of Genevieve's mother (Anne Vernon), the couple decides to get married after discovering that Genevieve is pregnant.

However, their happiness is short-lived as Guy receives a letter from the army, drafted to fight in Algeria, and has to leave Cherbourg. Genevieve remains in the town, trying to cope with the separation and the birth of their daughter alone, struggling to make ends meet.

The film is a musical, and every dialogue is spoken in verse and set to the music of Michel Legrand, which enhances the movie's melancholic tone. The music, particularly the central theme, "I Will Wait for You," is haunting and remains one of Legrand's finest works. The musical numbers are well choreographed and add to the movie's atmosphere, making it more than just a simple romantic drama.

The movie's cinematography is another highlight, and the use of vibrant and contrasting colors give it a unique ambiance. The colorful umbrellas displayed at Genevieve's shop add to the movie's splendor, brightening it up with their vibrant colors. The set design and costumes are period perfect, adding to the film's charm.

Catherine Deneuve's career was launched with this film, and it's easy to see why. She delivers a stunning performance, bringing out the nuances of her character's complicated emotions, particularly towards the second half of the film, when Genevieve has to make difficult choices that could affect her life forever. Nino Castelnuovo is equally impressive as Guy, displaying a sense of vulnerability and sensitivity that plays off well against Deneuve's character.

Anne Vernon is excellent as Genevieve's mother, who is pragmatic and practical and does not shy away from voicing her disapproval of her daughter's union with Guy. She also delivers one of the film's most memorable lines, "Love fades," which has been cited in various romantic films.

In conclusion, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, is a must-see film for fans of the romantic genre. The movie is a remarkable masterpiece, a visual delight, and is sure to leave viewers with a lasting impression. The film's intricate plot, set design, costumes, and music create a perfect harmony, resulting in a cinematic experience that defies the conventional ideas of romance.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a 1964 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 86.