The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

If the Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a piercing operatic drama, The Young Girls of Rochefort is pure, unadulterated escapism at its finest. 

Directed by Jacques Demy and starring an ensemble cast including Catherine Deneuve, Francois Doreleac, Gene Kelly, Michel Piccoli, George Chakiris, Grover Paul, and Danielle Darrieux, this is a whimsical French musical that has no equal. 


The film opens with a group of performers coming into the town of Rochefort to get ready for a big outdoor show. They become acquainted with the local hangout that includes a kindly matron and many locals including an idealistic artist and sailor who is searching for his ideal lover. Nearby her two adult twin daughters hold piano and ballet lessons as they two get their little prodigies ready for the big show.  Delphine is fed up with her suitor and desires a new love while Solange on her part hopes to advance her career as a pianist. She goes to the proprietor of a local music store to see if he can introduce her to a prestigious American friend. 

A great deal of dramatic irony sets in and the plot is constantly moved forward through song. Yvonne at the café is still depressed over a split with a lover 10 years prior because he had an unfortunate name. Solange has a chance encounter while stopping to pick up her kid brother Booboo and Delphine becomes curious about an artist who painted a portrait that looks strikingly like her. All of these events reach their apex on the Sunday of the big performance and in need of some performers the Carnies enlist the help of the twins. They are a huge success and things wind down. 

The next morning the performers get ready to leave for Paris and the girls decide to follow suit. However, Solange has another encounter that changes her plans and then Yvonne is reunited with her love. That leaves only Delphine to go with the boys to Paris, but not to worry she would be united with her painter soon enough. 

The light and very French sounding tunes are hard not to like, but that is only the very beginning. Demy pays homage to the Hollywood musicals of old going so far as casting Gene Kelly (Singin' in the Rain) and George Chakiris (West Side Story) in his film. He undoubtedly owes a debts to Vincente Minnelli and Stanley Donen with some striking moments reminiscent of An American in Paris (1951). It makes sense. Demy the pastels and costumes of a Hollywood musical extravaganza while also including dashes of French style. 

Rochefort takes place in a real location but it truly is a fantasy world that the characters inhabit, full of perpetual dancing and dialogue that is delivered through song. The real life sisters do a wonderful job in this film and there is something reassuring seeing Gene Kelly in this film. Rather like an old friend who gives comfort in a whimsical, but altogether new experience. The story arc of dashed, renewed and found love allows Demy to once more explore issues of fate and chance that always seem to enchant him.  His partnership with Michel Legrande is once again bountiful including the endearingly memorable Chanson Des Jumelles. 

There's nothing much else to say except The Young Girls of Rochefort is one of those under appreciated gems that is thoroughly enjoyable and laden with all sorts of fun. It delivers a serving of something that is a familiar flavor while giving it a little extra panache. It's about as playful and fluffy as you can get which in this case is not a bad thing at all. 

4.5/5 Stars