The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

Synopsis

This simple romantic tragedy begins in 1957. Guy Foucher, a 20-year-old French auto mechanic, has fallen in love with 17-year-old Geneviève Emery, an employee in her widowed mother's chic but financially embattled umbrella shop. On the evening before Guy is to leave for a two-year tour of combat in Algeria, he and Geneviève make love. She becomes pregnant and must choose between waiting for Guy's return or accepting an offer of marriage from a wealthy diamond merchant.

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Where to watch

Stream

• HBO Max Amazon Channel
• Criterion Channel
• HBO Max

Rent

• Amazon Video
• Apple TV Store
• Google Play Movies
• YouTube
• Fandango At Home

Buy

• Amazon Video
• Apple TV Store
• Google Play Movies
• YouTube
• Fandango At Home

Streaming availability via JustWatch

Cast

• Catherine Deneuve as Geneviève Emery
• Nino Castelnuovo as Guy Foucher
• Anne Vernon as Madame Emery
• Mireille Perrey as Tante Élise
• Marc Michel as Roland Cassard
• Ellen Farner as Madeleine
• Jean Champion as Aubin
• Jean-Pierre Dorat as Jean
• Harald Wolff as Monsieur Dubourg
• Pierre Caden as Bernard

If you liked The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, try

• The Dreamers
• Pan's Labyrinth
• Stalker
• Dreamgirls
• Spartacus
• Do the Right Thing
• Paths of Glory
• Mirror

BingeNext's take

If you’re in the mood for a beautifully tragic romance that feels like stepping back into 1950s France, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a perfect pick. This 1964 film follows the tender and bittersweet love story of Guy, a young mechanic, and Geneviève, who works in her mother’s struggling umbrella shop. The story unfolds with a quiet intensity as Geneviève faces a heart-wrenching choice while Guy is away at war. The film’s charm comes from its simple yet powerful emotions, brought to life by Catherine Deneuve’s unforgettable performance. It’s a gentle, lyrical experience that’s ideal for anyone who appreciates classic romance dramas with a touch of melancholy. Watching it feels like being wrapped in a delicate, bittersweet memory that lingers long after the credits roll.