The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

While the restoration of Jacques Demy's 1964 musical is stunningly cinematic (virtually a pastel lover's version of heaven), and the highlights of Michael Legrand's score are still instantly recognizable, the story hasn't aged well. The soap-opera worthy script finds the radiant and pregnant Catherine Deneuve stranded in Paris in her mother's umbrella shop waiting for news from her conscripted boyfriend Guy while being pressured by her mother to marry a well-off suitor and thereby find security and save her mother's struggling business. Got it? Virtually every line is sung and subtitled, making Umbrellas more of an effort than a joy to watch (and read). To be fair, I diverge from the general critical consensus here, so consider this a strong optional purchase. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review--May 18, 2004--Koch, 92 min., R, $24.98--Although The Umbrellas of Cherbourg looked pretty darn good the first time round when it was released by Fox Lorber in 1997 on DVD, this second iteration features an even sharper, more stable image, as well as an excerpt from New Wave director Agnes Varda's biographical documentary The World of Jacques Demy. Bottom line: enthusiasts will find even more to appreciate in this newly remastered version, while detractors (like myself) will still find this to be a pretty frilly thing, all dressed up with no place--narratively speaking--to go. Still, given the fact that this is a Cannes festival winner that was also nominated for five Academy Awards--and looks and sounds wonderful here--this is recommended, overall, on DVD.][Blu-ray/DVD Review—Apr. 18, 2017—Criterion, 92 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and second on Blu-ray, 1964's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include a “Once Upon a Time…” 2008 “making-of” documentary (55 min.), audio recordings of National Film Theatre interviews with star Catherine Deneuve and composer Michel Legrand (38 min.), an interview with film scholar Rodney Hill (23 min.), a French TV interview with director Jacques Demy and Legrand (11 min.), a restoration demo (6 min.), and an essay by critic Jim Ridley. Bottom line: this is the same edition as the one found in Criterion's The Essential Jacques Demy boxed set—which is highly recommended. If you don't own the set, this film is the crown jewel and it sparkles on Blu-ray.]