Young Girls of Rochefort, The (1967)

Young Girls of Rochefort, The (1967)

“I’ve looked everywhere, I’ve sailed the seven seas… Can she be far? Is she close to me?”

Synopsis:
In the town of Rochefort, twin sisters Delphine (Catherine Deneuve) and Solange (Francoise Dorleac) Garnier hope to meet their true loves. Meanwhile, their mother (Danielle Darrieux) pines after her long-lost fiance (Michel Piccoli); an American composer (Gene Kelly) is smitten at first sight with Solange; an artistic soldier (Jacques Perrin) paints a portrait of his ideal woman (who looks just like Delphine); and carnies Etienne (George Chakiris) and Bill (Grover Dale) convince Delphine and Solange to perform in their show before heading to Paris.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Carnivals and Circuses
  • Catherine Deneuve Films
  • Danielle Darrieux Films
  • French Films
  • Gene Kelly Films
  • Jacques Demy Films
  • Looking for Ms./Mr. Right
  • Musicals
  • Twins

Review:
Four years after the success of Jacques Demy’s all-singing musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), Demy and his wife Agnes Varda directed this vibrant romantic homage to Hollywood musicals, based on the notion that true love is waiting just around the corner (if only we’re lucky enough to stumble upon it!), and that an “ideal mate” exists for everyone. It’s playful, colorful, irreverent (a minor subplot about a murderer is thrown in, just for kicks), and jazzy, thanks in large part to both Michel Legrand’s inimitable musical touch (his soundtrack literally permeates the proceedings) and the creative team behind the film’s stylized production design. Equally infectious is the dancing, with George Chakiris adding a light touch to every step he takes (those white boots!), and Gene Kelly — looking nothing close to his age of 55 — serving as inspired casting (Demy apparently waited two years until Kelly was available to participate in the film).

Deneuve and her real-life sister Dorleac (who died in a car accident before the film was released) are also perfectly cast as the fraternal Garnier twins — their initial song together (“Chanson Des Jumelles”) is a delight. Fortunately, Demy moved away from the gimmick of Cherbourg (which was entirely sung), and was more flexible here with his dialogue: some is sung, some is rhymed, and some is simply spoken; though purists may disagree, I find this ultimately more successful. As with all musicals, … Rochefort will not be to every film fanatic’s taste — but it’s certainly must-see at least once.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Catherine Deneuve and Francoise Dorleac as Delphine and Solange
  • Gene Kelly as Mr. Dame’s American friend, Andy
  • Delightfully colorful costumes and sets
  • Exuberant dancing
  • Danielle Darrieux as the worldly-wise Yvonne
  • Michel Piccoli as “Monsieur Dame”
  • George Chakiris as Etienne
  • Jacques Perrin as Maxence
  • The final touching scene
  • Clever wordplay
  • Michel Legrand’s sparkling, jazzy score

Must See?
Yes. While not for all tastes, this is one of Demy’s masterpieces and should be seen by all film fanatics.

Categories

  • Foreign Gem
  • Important Director
  • Oscar Winner or Nominee

(Listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die)

Links:

One thought on “Young Girls of Rochefort, The (1967)

  1. A must – and one that ffs may find themselves returning to from time to time. I agree that the fusion of elements works well here – and think ‘Young Girls…’ is immensely more satisfying than ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’, which I feel is overrated – even if more popular. (I know I’ll have to watch ‘TUOC’ again at some point to – though hopes aren’t high – refresh my view; all I recall of it right now is its unrelenting cloying quality – its melodrama aside, rarely has a film about love made me feel that depressed…inappropriately.)

    What captures me most about ‘YG’ is its celebratory tone. Almost throughout, the joy in the film is infectious. Even though you suspect where the film is more or less going early on, it’s still fun watching how it all plays out.

    Deneuve and Dorleac’s numbers are all highlights; the first in particular, as well as the one at the fair – which seems, in part, a nod to Monroe and Russell’s ‘Two Little Girls from Little Rock’.

    It’s amusing to see Kelly FINALLY become ‘An American in Paris’ for real. And, yes, his work is awesome, as always. (His dance with Dorleac is bittersweet, knowing what we do about her fate in life.)

    Certainly the film’s oddest inclusion is the off-screen murder, though it does serve to keep the film grounded in a reality not completely colored by affairs of the heart.

Leave a Reply