The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

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The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

1964

1h 32m

Musical

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

73 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Geneviève (Catherine Deneuve), a beautiful young Frenchwoman who works at a small-town boutique selling umbrellas, falls for dashing mechanic Guy (Nino Castelnuovo). Their brief romance is interrupted when Guy is drafted to serve in the Algerian War. Though pregnant by Guy, Geneviève marries an older businessman, Roland (Marc Michel), and begins to move on with her life. Throughout the musical film, all the characters' dialogue is conveyed through song.

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Critics Consensus

Jacques Demy elevates the basic drama of everyday life into a soaring opera full of bittersweet passion and playful charm, featuring a timeless performance from Catherine Deneuve.

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Elizabeth Sussex

Sight & Sound

Nov 11

Most exciting of all is perhaps the fact that on turning from the music to the very Parisian colour, one finds exactly the same language being spoken.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

04/06/2020

Charm may be in the eye of the beholder, but if you don't find this movie irresistible, you should get your eyesight checked.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

12/09/2019

5/5

Yet the hits, when they come, are immense.

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Joshua Ryan

FandomWire

05/16/2025

9/10

Overflowing with vibrant colors and angelic lyrical dialogues, Demy crafts a tale of young love that is heartwarming and devastating at the same time.

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

05/05/2025

3.5/5

It 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.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

09/06/2024

5/5

The stunning design, vivid candy colours and Catherine Deneuve's ethereal performance only add to the fairy-tale qualities of the haunting love story between a teenage shop girl and a garage attendant.

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Tim M

@tgmacman May 10

Profoundly beautiful in its cinematography and melodic dialogue, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg will tug at your heartstrings with its simple tale of star-crossed love.

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Apr 26

Extravagant and epic musicals are what build the genre, but this one is more simplistic with equally vibrant impact that soars with fine performances maintaining the vocalizing essence whilst instilling truer emotions in the deliverance that otherwise would’ve been considered bland if executed generically besides the slightly shallow characterization. (B)

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O g

@RT76089177 Feb 13

Was pretty sure I wouldn't like this but the idiosyncratic style, vibrancy & colour as well as the total lack of cynicism did leave me charmed...

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Nathan Y.

@NathanYatesDouglass Dec 22

I want to say I didn’t care much for this, but I already feel myself growing nostalgic for the time spent. I may have expected more based on reviews, but it was a lovely distraction. I could have used more variety in the scoring.

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FLICKSWITH M

@FLICKSWITHMIGS Dec 8

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg feels quite special, it’s a really beautiful and emotionally intense film that feels like a living, singing watercolor painting. The entire story is told through song, which makes everything feel rawer and more heartfelt, even when the story is quietly heartbreaking. The visuals are vibrant and charming, perfectly matching the nostalgic, romantic vibe. It’s a simple story about young love, separation, and longing, but the way it’s all sung makes it feel deeply personal and poetic. Definitely a unique experience that sticks with you long after it’s over.

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Hussakorn T

@Kothzapthz Dec 6

With its stunning color grading, amazing soundtrack, powerful performances, and breathtaking story, this film remains timeless and deeply relevant even today.

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Jacques Demy

Director

Catherine Deneuve

Geneviève Emery

Nino Castelnuovo

Guy Foucher

Anne Vernon

Madame Emery

Marc Michel

Roland Cassard

Ellen Farner

Madeleine

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Synopsis

Geneviève (Catherine Deneuve), a beautiful young Frenchwoman who works at a small-town boutique selling umbrellas, falls for dashing mechanic Guy (Nino Castelnuovo). Their brief romance is interrupted when Guy is drafted to serve in the Algerian War. Though pregnant by Guy, Geneviève marries an older businessman, Roland (Marc Michel), and begins to move on with her life. Throughout the musical film, all the characters' dialogue is conveyed through song.

Director: Jacques Demy
Producer: Mag Bodard
Screenwriter: Jacques Demy, Jacques Demy
Distributor: Zeitgeist Films, Criterion Collection, Wellspring Media
Production Co: Parc Film, Beta Film GmbH
Genre: Musical, Romance
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 19, 1964, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.4K
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 16mm, Flat (1.85:1)