Film of the Week: Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, 1967

In 1967, French filmmaker Jacques Demy once again teamed with composer Michele Legrand to create the third in Demy’s trilogy of musical films. Following Lola, and Les Parpaluies de Cherbourg, Demy introduced Les Demoiselles de Rochefort about two young twins and their search for love.

The film stars Catherine Deneuve and her real-life sister Françoise Dorléac (who was killed in a car accident shortly after filming) as twin sisters—Delphine and Solange--who must teach music and dance in order to make a living. They have a close relationship with their mother (played by Danielle Darrieux) who runs a café in the center of town, and their much-younger brother, Boo-Boo.

The lives of everyone in Rochefort are interrupted when two suave carnies come to town with their troop. The two men (played by West Side Story star George Chakiris and Grover Dale) take an immediate fancy to the twins. However, the girls’ attentions are divided between the new men in their lives and a artistic sailor and a dashing stranger (Gene Kelly).

Unlike Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, this film is more of a musical than it is an operetta. Much of the dialogue is spoken in between long, wild bouts of singing. In typical Legrand fashion, the music is haunting and memorable. Add the vividly-colored sets and costumes, excellent dancing, romance and humor to the mix and you have a remarkably entertaining film.

What I always find most astounding about the film is that the songs rhyme in both French and English. Listening to the French and reading the subtitles, one finds that the translations are literal, but still rhyme. This is quite an astounding feat! I love this brilliant and bright picture for its beautiful music and stunning visuals. It’s a little manic at times in the way that only a French film from the 1960’s can be, but that’s part of its appeal. Even with Gene Kelly’s somewhat out-of-place appearance, it’s a picture worthy of the highest praise.