The Umbrellas of Cherbourg: A Beautiful & Charming Musical Experience (Criterion 4K/Blu-ray)

The Film:

In 1964, acclaimed filmmaker Jacques Demy unveiled the film that he is very likely most known for around the world, "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," an original sung-through musical that was the first to do so in the French language. The film instantly received massive critical acclaim, not only winning the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, but also receiving multiple Oscar nominations in 1965 and '66 that included Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Score.

Since then, it has gone on to be widely-regarded as one of the finest musicals ever made and has even been ranked as one of the greatest non-English films of all time. To celebrate the film's recent 60th anniversary, Criterion is giving the film its grand 4K upgrade, complete with the extras from the previous Blu-ray release, so let's go back and see what made this little musical cause such a big splash that would echo for decades.

Starting in November of 1957, we meet mechanic Guy Foucher (Nino Castelnuovo), who lives with his sickly Aunt/godmother Elise (Mireille Perrey). Guy is currently in a relationship with Geneviève Émery (Catherine Deneuve), who works at her mother's (Anne Vernon) umbrella shop. Guy and Geneviève plan to get married, but before they can, Guy is drafted and sent to fight in the Algerian War for two years. During his absence, Geneviève learns that she's pregnant, and when Guy's responses become scarce, her mother encourages her to give up on him. Meanwhile, Roland Coussard (Marc Michel), a young jeweler who had helped Geneviève's mother with her bills, begins to court the young lady. Will she be able to hold out hope for Guy's return, or will she be forced to move on with her life for the sake of her unborn baby?

"The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" is a fascinating musical experience, one where everything over the course of 90 minutes, from deep-felt emotions to casual conversations, is sung throughout. The story of these two lovers becomes an intriguing and somewhat complicated little web that, while perhaps a tad melodramatic, keeps the viewer engaged with its various twists and turns, which give the film a more developed emotional foundation than it otherwise might have had if it had remained a simple romantic tale.

As for the music itself (composed by Michel Legrand), it's fair to say that it's something of a mixed bag. During these 90 minutes, there are times when it starts to sound somewhat monotonous, though it also features a number of lovely moments, especially when it comes to the film's main theme. However, even when the music starts to seem a bit repetitive, the film is continuously bolstered by the wonderful performances from the incredible cast, particularly those of the young lovers, as played by Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo.

Overall, even with its few flaws, "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" is a beautifully-made, charming musical outing that has continued to delight audiences for over 60 years, and with Criterion's gorgeous new transfer of the film, they'll be able to keep enjoying it in the best quality possible. Whether you're a fan of musicals in general, or romances that run a little deeper than your standard fare, this is one that's easily worth the 90-minute investment.

Video/Audio:

This new edition of "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" comes with the film on both 4K (2160p UHD) and Blu-ray (1080p HD) in 1.85: 1 transfers of excellent quality. The new 4K restoration looks beautifully bright & vibrant throughout the entire 90-minute duration, making this 60-year-old classic look new again. Likewise, the 5.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is fantastic, giving you all of the singing & music in outstanding quality. Overall, Criterion has done a phenomenal job in both departments for the film's new release.

Special Features:

Once Upon a Time... "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (54 Minutes)

Rodney Hill (23 Minutes)

Cinepanorama (11 Minutes)

Michel Legrand at the National Film Theatre (27 Minutes)

Catherine Deneuve at the National Film Theatre (11 Minutes)

Restoration Demonstration (6 Minutes)

The film comes with an incredible selection of extras, totaling a little over two hours, mostly consisting of interviews with various members of the cast & crew, as well as a film scholar. Definitely plenty of material here for fans to dig into if they're looking to learn more about the film.

Conclusion:

Jacques Demy's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" may feature a story that's a bit melodramatic and music that can seem a little monotonous & repetitive at times, but it remains a beautifully-made, charming, and fascinating musical experience, bolstered by the performances from its wonderful ensemble, ultimately making Criterion's gorgeous new edition of the film an easy recommendation.

Score: 3.5/5

Available on Criterion 4K/Blu-ray starting tomorrow.

Follow me on Twitter @BeckFilmCritic.