In 1957 in the coastal town of Cherbourg, a 17 year old girl (Catherine Deneuve) and a young garage mechanic (Nino Castelnuovo) fall in love against the wishes of her mother (Anne Vernon). He is drafted and goes off to serve in Algeria when she finds herself with child. This operetta (there is no spoken dialog, every word is sung) directed by Jacques Demy is a visual and aural treasure. Bernard Evein's stunning production design along with Jacqueline Moreau's costumes are in vivid reds, pastel blues, hot pinks, rich greens and bright oranges giving the film the rich look of those three strip Technicolor (though the film was actually shot in Eastman stock) MGM musicals. Michel Legrand's exquisite score, both the songs and background underscore, is varied and melodic as well as giving the film it's emotional underpinnings. It's the simplest and most basic of love stories yet Demy infuses it with a sensitive yet almost thrilling core. I doubt anyone will be able to hold back the tears at the film's bittersweet finale. Jean Rabier did the graceful cinematography.
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