Jacques Demy loved the American musical genre, as seen already in some of the films that preceded this one, most notably, "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg", one of the best musical pictures of all times from France. Even with his magnificent "Lola", he inserted music and dance in it. Mr. Demy followed his earlier success with "Les Demoiselles de Rochefort". Unfortunately, French audiences didn't like this new musical at all, which was a shame. But the public can be fickle and perhaps the story didn't hold the public's attention in the new film. In 1996, Jacques Demy's widow, the talented Agnes Varda, a director on her own right, lovingly restored this movie, and the public responded to it the way they should have done thirty years before.
The film was Jacques Demy's way to pay tribute to American musicals, especially the glossy pictures produced by MGM in its heyday. He even got the valuable cooperation of Gene Kelly, a man who felt at home in France and who is an asset in the film in an inspired appearance. The film consolidated the cooperation between Demy and Michel Legrand, his invaluable collaborator. Mr. Legrand's music is tuneful as it advances the action in the film.
The plot is simple, and yet, the viewer is won over by the characters in the story. There is a feeling of love throughout the film and of hope. The twin sisters and their ambitions are at the center of the story. Also, their mother, who had loved and lost, finds happiness at last with the man she longed for.
The cast is impeccable. A young Catherine Deneuve is a pleasure to watch. Her real life sister, Francoise Dorlac, a beautiful actress who died much too young, is another great asset in the film. The wonderful Danielle Darrieux plays the mother. Michel Piccoli is Monsieur Dame, the owner of the music instrument shop who never stops loving Madame Yvonne, the twin girls' mother. Gene Kelly makes a magnificent appearance, he also contributed to the dancing numbers. George Chakiris and Grover Dale have some good moments. A young Jacques Perrin plays the sailor who is looking for his ideal woman.
Jacques Demy made a film that, while it will not please everyone, is a feast for the eye. Agnes Varda also needs to be given credit for the great job she did in restoring her late husband's work.
The film was Jacques Demy's way to pay tribute to American musicals, especially the glossy pictures produced by MGM in its heyday. He even got the valuable cooperation of Gene Kelly, a man who felt at home in France and who is an asset in the film in an inspired appearance. The film consolidated the cooperation between Demy and Michel Legrand, his invaluable collaborator. Mr. Legrand's music is tuneful as it advances the action in the film.
The plot is simple, and yet, the viewer is won over by the characters in the story. There is a feeling of love throughout the film and of hope. The twin sisters and their ambitions are at the center of the story. Also, their mother, who had loved and lost, finds happiness at last with the man she longed for.
The cast is impeccable. A young Catherine Deneuve is a pleasure to watch. Her real life sister, Francoise Dorlac, a beautiful actress who died much too young, is another great asset in the film. The wonderful Danielle Darrieux plays the mother. Michel Piccoli is Monsieur Dame, the owner of the music instrument shop who never stops loving Madame Yvonne, the twin girls' mother. Gene Kelly makes a magnificent appearance, he also contributed to the dancing numbers. George Chakiris and Grover Dale have some good moments. A young Jacques Perrin plays the sailor who is looking for his ideal woman.
Jacques Demy made a film that, while it will not please everyone, is a feast for the eye. Agnes Varda also needs to be given credit for the great job she did in restoring her late husband's work.