'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' Makes You Rain Tears of Agony in the Best Possible Way

AKA: 'Les Parapluies de Cherbourg'

Release Date: February 19, 1964 (France); December 16, 1964 (USA)

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel, Ellen Farner, Mirielle Perrey

Director: Jacques Demy

Music: Michel Legrand

Writer: Jacques Demy

Part 1 on Youtube (English Subtitles Available)

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. OF ALL TIME. (Where's Kanye when you need him?) Although the sets and some of the styles are terribly outdated, the main theme of 'Umbrellas' is still strong today and is expressed in the most unique way: Every word is sung.

I mean, every word. Musical-haters, don't fret! What I enjoy about 'Umbrellas' is that the singing is not done with obnoxious movements or dance routines (which I do like, but it's not everyone's cup of tea); it is done in a way that singing is just the natural way of talking and it is done beautifully. Also, this movie is not very long, so it's not too bad.

I think this is what allowed the film to live on well and way past its generation...well, the singing and the theme of "first love."

You probably are thinking, "It's lived on? How come I've never heard anything about it?" You'd be surprised where influence from this film has turned up.

Matt Groening's 'Futurama' episode entitled 'Jurassic Bark' involves Fry finding his fossilized dog from the past. In the end of the episode, we find out exactly what happened to his loyal pet. This scene uses a version of "I Will Wait For You;" which is a popular song that uses the melancholy melody of the two lovers from 'Umbrellas.' The video I provided of the ending is terrible quality, but the only "good" one I can find.

Anyways, now that that is out in the open...

'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' is a 1964 French film that surrounds the relationship of 17-year-old, Genevieve (Catherine Deneuve) and 20-year-old Guy (Nino Castelnuovo). They enjoy the happiness that first love often gives, but their relationship takes a hard turn when Guy must leave for 2 years due to the Algerian War.

On Guy's last night before his departure, the two...you know...and both make a vow of waiting for each other. After Guy leaves, Genevieve finds out she is pregnant weeks later.

However, Genevieve's mother (Anne Vernon) disapproves of her daughter waiting for a man who may be killed or may find another woman. Instead, she insists that Genevieve should marry another man who is courting her (and one who is richer), Roland Cassard (Marc Michel).

If you're interested in watching this, I'm letting you know right now, you'll need some tissues. If you cry at the smallest things, you'll need a tissue factory for 'Umbrellas.' If you hate sad (but it's definitely realistic) endings, you may not like it. Me? I love sad endings; makes me remember a film more.

The music is just so wonderful for the most part and I love listening to the entire first act every now and then. You may find the music and "conversational singing" a little odd at first, but once you get to Guy and Genevieve's scenes, you can't help but love it.

Really my only complaint is the style of some aspects of the film are outdated, but like music and basic love theme make up for it completely.

Rent worthy? Yes, yes, yes! I've put up part one of the film in the beginning of this entry. The next few parts are on the side bar and the username is: RobinSenathePhoenix.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? I don't think it's out on Blu-ray, but the DVD restoration project they did years ago is quite good enough already. Yes, it is in my possession, as is the soundtrack cause I love it that much! Yes, love.

Keep on watchin'
The Little Critic

'Tales From Earthsea' Is Really Not Much of a Story at All

"There was a time when humans and dragons were one."

Release Date: (Japan) July 29, 2006; (USA) August 13, 2010

Starring (English Voice Actors): Timothy Dalton, Willem Dafoe, Matt Levin, Cheech Marin, Blaire Restaneo, Marishka Hargitay

Director: Goro Miyazaki

Writer: Ursula K. Le Guin (Novels); Goro Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa (Screenplay)

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some violent images.

Trailer

Official Movie Website

No, this is not Hayao Miyazaki's work, this is his son's. Hayao wanted to work with the film, but could not due to 'Howl's Moving Castle,' so he passed the job onto his son, Goro.

Honestly, I wish Hayao just waited until 'Howl's' was done and then took on 'Tales From Earthsea.' To be blunt, this was not my favorite Studio Ghibli film.

'Tales From Earthsea' is a 2006 Japanese animated film loosely based on Ursula K. Le Guin's 'Earthsea' series.

Honestly, I still do not understand the significance of several events in the film. I don't understand them so much, I'm not comfortable providing my own summary as I usually do for you. It's not that I don't know what was going on. I could understand the dialogue and all...

It's just the significance of certain things were hardly explained. For example, in the beginning, the audience learns that it is apparently unusual for two dragons to fight...okay, I got that much... now why? They never get around to explaining a lot of things, like why and how Arren, the protagonist, had his light and dark sides split from each other into separate beings.

The film seems to assume that one has read the books, but even then, 'Earthsea' is not even close to the books, according to Le Guin.

One thing I do find interesting is that the film's main antagonist, Lord Cob (Willem Dafoe) was actually a witch named Kumo in the Japanese version instead of a wizard in the English. Suddenly the malicious witch turns into a creepy man for the USA dub.

Oh, all right USA, I guess Michael Jackson  is much creepier.

One thing I do love about this film though, is 'Therru's Song.' It is a very beautiful piece and even though I did not like the film, I found myself downloading the song and listening to it when I went to bed the same night.

The music is definitely beautiful, there is no doubt about that. Kudos to Tamiya Terashima for that!

I did not find any problems with the English voice acting. I love Timothy Dalton's voice; it has a nice speaking quality and Willem Dafoe always has a creepy-ass voice that's perfect for villains.

Despite the wonderful music, beautiful animation, and tolerable voice acting, 'Tales from Earthsea' failed to tell a story that could have been another masterpiece from Studio Ghibli. The film was very bland in the fantasy genre. Nothing too special about it.

Rent worthy? Eh....I really would not waste your time if I were you.

DVD/Blu-Ray worthy? Definitely not. Not a film for my shelves.

Keep on watchin'

The Little Critic