Post by klep on Jan 11, 2016 7:44:52 GMT -6
MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 1/11: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Some movies are perfect, and this is one of them. There's not a flaw to be found in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, from its performances (particularly Catherine Deneuve) to the music to the story to its wonderful use of color (more often pale pastels in contrast to the bright primary colors in the happier Young Girls of Rochefort), there's not one shot that doesn't give you everything it's got to give. For those of you who have not seen it, first what could you possibly be doing that's a better use of your time than watching The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Seriously, stop what you're doing and go watch it. It's only 91 minutes. Second, it's a melancholy story of young love and the obstacles life throws in its way. And it's a musical with - as I said - perfect music that enhances just the right mood at exactly the right time. This is a movie that will make you cry.
One of the many many things I love about this film is that it isn't a musical in the sense that it has a lot of song and dance numbers that interrupt the narrative flow. On the contrary, there's actually very little dancing and there's very little that you could call a song rather than an entire scene. Instead, it just seems to be set in a world where everyone just sings everything they have to say. And they do so beautifully; enhancing the meaning and emotional import of their words. Highs are higher, lows are lower, all of the feelings this film generates are heightened by the singing and the music swelling beneath the words.
Your turn, guys. What other things does this film do perfectly that you'd care to gush about?
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 1/18: Miller's Crossing
This Coen Brothers crime movie is available on Amazon Instant Video, though it is not free for Prime members.
Some movies are perfect, and this is one of them. There's not a flaw to be found in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, from its performances (particularly Catherine Deneuve) to the music to the story to its wonderful use of color (more often pale pastels in contrast to the bright primary colors in the happier Young Girls of Rochefort), there's not one shot that doesn't give you everything it's got to give. For those of you who have not seen it, first what could you possibly be doing that's a better use of your time than watching The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Seriously, stop what you're doing and go watch it. It's only 91 minutes. Second, it's a melancholy story of young love and the obstacles life throws in its way. And it's a musical with - as I said - perfect music that enhances just the right mood at exactly the right time. This is a movie that will make you cry.
One of the many many things I love about this film is that it isn't a musical in the sense that it has a lot of song and dance numbers that interrupt the narrative flow. On the contrary, there's actually very little dancing and there's very little that you could call a song rather than an entire scene. Instead, it just seems to be set in a world where everyone just sings everything they have to say. And they do so beautifully; enhancing the meaning and emotional import of their words. Highs are higher, lows are lower, all of the feelings this film generates are heightened by the singing and the music swelling beneath the words.
Your turn, guys. What other things does this film do perfectly that you'd care to gush about?
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 1/18: Miller's Crossing
This Coen Brothers crime movie is available on Amazon Instant Video, though it is not free for Prime members.