Discuss The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
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Happy or sad? (major spoilers do not read until after the movie)
posted by rooprectSTAFFMOD on October 7, 2023 at 10:03 AM
Did this leave you happy or sad? There's a funny duality which I don't think I've seen in any other film: if we choose to associate with Geneviève then it's a pretty hard tragedy, but if we associate with Guy it's really a triumph. The movie doesn't favor one over the other; it's told in 3 parts giving each of the 2 an entire section with them both sharing the 1st. It leaves us to decide which character speaks for us & mirrors our lot in life.
In the opening shared part I associated with Geneviève just because her personality is more like my own. She also gets the 2nd part all to herself, so for literally 2/3 the movie I felt like she was the protagonist. The problem is at the end of part 2 she makes the decision to abandon Guy and marry Roland which is something I'd never do, so I broke from her character at that point.
Part 3 is all about Guy. It took me a while but I finally warmed up to his character and began to agree with his actions & reactions; thus for me he became the protagonist.
Which leads us to the end. They meet briefly, barely exchanging any words. The scene is more for us, the audience, to see how each of their lives turned out. Geneviève is rich, driving a fancy car and wearing a fur coat but she's clearly unhappy. Guy owns a gas station and is working hard to support his family, and although it's a happy family we sense he's troubled. After they meet, suddenly Guy snaps into reality, sees that his past is dead and in the final few seconds he happily embraces his wife & kid. Since I latched onto the character of Guy, the movie left me feeling pretty good. It's all about moving forward and finding real happiness.
But I'm sure anyone who associated with Geneviève was left with a pit in their stomach. Her life follows in her mother's footsteps; by chasing security and forsaking true love she dooms herself.
Which one did you pick?
Reply by catmydogs
on October 22, 2023 at 9:51 AM
Sad but hopeful for Guy. Sacrificial / tragic for Genev. The film’s first half is about the optimisim and dreams of youth. The second half is basically reality delivering a gut check.
Wonderful film, one of my favorite musicals, which resonates even more thanks to its bittersweet conclusion.
Reply by rooprect
on October 22, 2023 at 10:55 AM
Yup, "sad but hopeful" is a great way to describe the ending for Guy. It's heading for misery, but the last 2 seconds are his saving grace when he greets his wife and daughter with genuine enthusiasm. It could be the turning point leading to real happiness in his future.
Geneviève's ending seems as tragic as it gets. She has acquired all the material goals in life but she's obviously unhappy. There was some great foreshadowing early in the film when her mother mentions her own dilemma when she chose wealth/security, indicating that's the smartest move. Geneviève replies something like "It would've been better if you married for love." Twisting the knife at the end is news that her mother died (we assume unhappily).
This is rapidly becoming my favorite musical also, which is funny because on first watch I hated it so much I quit after 30 mins and didn't finish until months later!