The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
This simple romantic tragedy begins in 1957. Guy Foucher, a 20-year-old French auto mechanic, has fallen in love with 17-year-old Geneviève Emery, an employee in her widowed mother's chic but financially embattled umbrella shop. On the evening before Guy is to leave for a two-year tour of combat in Algeria, he and Geneviève make love. She becomes pregnant and must choose between waiting for Guy's return or accepting an offer of marriage from a wealthy diamond merchant.
Critics Sentiment
Genevieve and Guy meet years later at the gas station
Guy returns injured from war and struggles with civilian life
The film drops to its emotional nadir during Guy's post-war struggles before soaring to its most acclaimed sequence with the Christmas Eve reunion.
The film opens with widespread acclaim for its visual innovation and charming romance, maintains strong sentiment through the lovers' separation despite some criticism of the mother's manipulation, then dips during Guy's dark post-war period before culminating in a universally praised bittersweet ending. Reviewers consistently highlight the stunning visuals, Catherine Deneuve's performance, and the emotionally devastating final reunion as the film's greatest strengths.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 34
Catherine Deneuve
Geneviève Emery
Nino Castelnuovo
Guy Foucher
Anne Vernon
Madame Emery
Mireille Perrey
Tante Élise
Marc Michel
Roland Cassard
Ellen Farner
Madeleine
Jean Champion
Aubin
Jean-Pierre Dorat
Jean
Harald Wolff
Monsieur Dubourg
Pierre Caden
Bernard
Bernard Fradet
Gas Station Apprentice
Michel Benoist
Umbrella Buyer
Philippe Dumat
Garage Customer in 1957
Dorothée Blanck
Girl in Cafe
Jane Carat
Ginny
Danielle Licari
Geneviève Emery (singing voice)
José Bartel
Guy Foucher (singing voice)
Christiane Legrand
Madame Emery (singing voice)
Georges Blaness
Roland Cassard (singing voice)
Claudine Meunier
Madeleine (singing voice, as C. Meunier)
Crew
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