Happy in the Rain (PART 2 OF 3)

 

Happy in the Rain (PART 2 OF 3)





My comment is as follows:

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This is a 1964 French musical film directed by Jacques Demy.

Its famous theme music was written by Michel Legrand.

The film dialogue is all sung as recitative, even the most casual conversation.

Jacques Demy has turned the basic drama of everyday life into a gripping opera full of bittersweet passion and unforgettablel charm, featuring a timeless performance from Catherine Deneuve.

I seldom cry while watching movies, but on this one my tears came out at the somewhat-happy-yet-melancholic-and-thought-provoking end.


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I see... So, you even cried after seeing the unfulfilled Love story, didn't you?



You're telling me, Diane.

Tell me, Kato, what makes you cry so much.

I'll show you the trailer.


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It looks like a romantic movie, but I don't understand how come you shed tears.



Well ..., in that case, I show you the plot here:

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Cherbourg, 1963

Madame Emery and her beautiful 16-year-old daughter Geneviève sell umbrellas at their tiny boutique in the coastal town of Cherbourg in Normandy, France, in the late 1950s.

Guy is a handsome young auto mechanic who lives with, and cares for, his sickly aunt, godmother Elise.

Guy and Geneviève are deeply in love.


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They want to get married, and they want to name their first child "Francoise".

Madeleine is the quiet, shy, dedicated young caregiver who looks after Guy's aunt.

Madeleine also has feelings for Guy, but has not expressed this.

Suddenly Guy is drafted and must leave to become a soldier in the Algerian War.

The night before Guy leaves, he and Geneviève pledge their undying love.

Then they make love for the first time and the very next day, Guy leaves.


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Separation

After a couple of months it becomes clear that Geneviève is pregnant.

She writes to Guy, but she feels abandoned when Guy writes back very infrequently.

Her mother tells her this is a sign that Guy has forgotten her, and she should give up on him.


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Geneviève has another suitor in Roland Cassard, a quiet, kind, young Parisian jeweler, who is very wealthy, and who wants to marry her even after he finds out that she is carrying another man's child.

Cassard had previously unsuccessfully wooed a certain woman.

He relates a version of this story to Madame Emery, who repeatedly urges Geneviève to be sensible and embrace a secure future with Cassard.

Geneviève finally decides she will accept Roland.


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They are married in a great cathedral, but Geneviève does not seem happy with her choice.

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Guy returns from the war

Guy returns with a slight limp from an injury.

He learns that the umbrella store has been sold, and that Geneviève got married and left Cherbourg.

As a returning serviceman, Guy has difficulties trying to continue with his previous life.

He argues with his boss, quits his job, and goes to drink in a seedy port bar.

He spends the night with a friendly prostitute named Jenny, who in the morning reveals that her name is actually Geneviève.

Then, when he returns to his apartment, he discovers a distraught Madeleine, who tells him tearfully that his godmother died the night before.

Guy sees that Madeleine loves him, and he cleans up his life with her encouragement.

With an inheritance from his aunt, he is able to finance a new "American-style" Esso gas station.

He asks Madeleine to marry him, and she accepts, though she first wonders if he is asking her out of despair at Geneviève's actions.

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Christmas Eve 1963

Guy is now managing the couple's Esso station.

He is happily married, with his loving wife Madeleine and their little son François.

Madeleine and François go for a short walk, leaving Guy briefly, after which a new Mercedes pulls into the station.


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The mink-clad driver turns out to be a sophisticated and wealthy Geneviève, accompanied by her (and Guy's) daughter Françoise, who remains in the car.

Shocked to see each other, they go inside the station to talk.

Geneviève explains that this is the first time she has been to Cherbourg since her marriage, and she is only in town on a detour.

She also explains that her mother died the previous autumn.

It is apparent that her rich husband and her daughter Françoise are the only family she has left.

She has had no children with Cassard.

The two converse while Geneviève's car is being filled with gas.

When Geneviève asks Guy if he wants to meet their daughter, he declines.


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With restrained emotion, they part.

As the film ends, Guy greets his wife with a kiss and plays very happily with his son in the snow.

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SOURCE: "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Now, I hope, you know how come I cried for joy at the end of the movie.



Well ... at least I can tell that you wouldn't catch pneumonia as long as you stay in the library watching movies.



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【Himiko's Monologue】


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Wow! What a lovely musical it is!

The above movie shakes my back bone with romance, excitenment and amazement.

How abou you?

Have you seen the above movie yet?

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I enjoyed the above love theme to the hilt.

There are some other interesting movies in the above list.

For example, look at Number 639 in the above list.

It is called "Key Largo."


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(To be followed)