Specs
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Francoise Dorleac, Gene Kelly, Danielle Darnieux, Michel Piccoli, Jacques Perrin, George Chakiris, Grover Dale, Jacques Riberolle
Director: Jacques Demy
Screenplay: Jacques Demy
IMDb info
Very much in spite of myself, I am becoming a fan of the musical. True, they are largely French musicals so far, driven by the stylish auteur Jacques Demy. But now I also find myself smitten with Gene Kelly and his choreography, and I know it's all downhill from here. Just wait for Brigadoon to top my list. This will be the end of my cinematic self-respect.
Seriously, though. Gene Kelly is a hot, hot man.*
Anyway, Rochefort is a lighthearted bagatelle about two artistic twins searching for love and dreaming of fame in Paris. It has the same feel and look of Demy's Les Parapluies de Cherbourg but none of its serious, life-lesson undertones: absolutely nothing in Rochefort could be described as sober. One character leaves the love of her life because she doesn't want to be called "Madame Dame." Another draws the perfect likeness of his idéal féminin without every laying eyes on her (she happens to look a lot like Catherine Deneuve). And nobody's going to be fooled into thinking Dorleac and Deneuve are world-class dancers and musicians; it's quite obvious they aren't even singing their lines.
But no matter. With just a small suspension of disbelief, this easily becomes one of the most singularly enjoyable films I've ever watched. The plot may be simple, but it is perfectly constructed. And it's quite obvious to me that I am an absolute sucker for Demy's style. I want my life to look like a Jacques Demy musical. That much is clear.
Also, this marks the third film I've seen in which Deneuve hilariously (um, to me and my friends, at least) complains "J'ai froid!" Seriously inside joke.
And, (spoiler-ish!!!) the two guys who ended up alone (excuse me, dancing together, alone) need to cut the crap and just admit they're in love with each other. Honestly.
Nothing too deep here, but my enjoyment was pure.
*Dude was 55 when he made this movie? Oh my. My my.