A truly one-of-a-kind take on 'boy meets girl'
5
By UNOwenNYC
Every time I've seen this film with Ann audience (for their first time), the following reactions ALWAYS happen in this order; laughter, quiet the reactions ALWAYS end the same - by the last scene, you hear sniffles and crying.
The story's premise - boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy goes away, girl finds she's pregnant with his child, mother'helps' girl to find a 'suitable' suitor- one who doesn't care about the pregnancy , and is kind, and, financially secure. Boy returns, can't find the girl, so he marries the (sweet, and kind) girl who secretly pined for him. They have a child, and he soon owns a petrol station. Then, one night, as Christmas is near, fate brings the former 2 lovers together.
There's an old truism; there's only a handful of original stories, it's the artistry of the story-teller (in this case, the film's writer, director) to make the story something truly wondrous.
Jacques Demy (the aforementioned writer and director) made a truly unique Valentine, to Hollywood, to France and to love.
'Umbrellas' is such a special unique film, something which, just by one's initial take - all dialogue's sung - whether it's about love, or what type of petrol (super or regular) to fill the car with - it does make a viewer chuckle at its seeming oddness.
But this feeling soon goes away, as we enter into the (gorgeous) colour-drenched world in which or protagonists, Guy and Genevieve inhabit.
The song, I Will Wait For You, by Michel Legrand is used throughout the film, and each time, it's like it's the first time. The repeated use of this song shows us - how deep the love these 2 feel for each other, and butt film's end - having heard it, this declaration of live had led inexorably to a place, and a situation we knew was inevitable, but its impact on us- with delicate snow falling all around, against the neon lights of a petrol station, and the night's inky blackness is one of filmdom's truly transcendent moments.
If you're in love, watch it with them. Even if not, the simple beauty, and power of Mnsr Demy, and all of the cast and crew involved in making this, WILL make you shed a tear.
