The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

The main element of the movie that makes it what it is, is the parallel of the filmmaking to the implied meaning of the film. Basically, the film is very flowery with nothing but singing and bright colors. At the end of the movie, when Genevieve and Guy meet again, there is so much repressed emotion (be it anger, jealousy, sexual tension, or love) that no amount of happy music and loud color can hide what they are feeling or what they felt when they were younger. The movie starts off with young love and nothing but potential, but after Guy leaves, Genevieve gives in and marries Roland. After Guy gets back and marries Madeline, he becomes the stereotypical shop owner and Genevieve becomes the stereotypical Bourgeois married woman. Neither of them wanted that when they were younger, but that dream never comes true.

The fact that the movie is a constant musical is another important aspect of the movie in that it helps to portray the whimsical love and nature of the couple but ironically, it doesn't end like a musical. Instead, it ends in a confused, distant conversation. Rather than exemplify an ordinary situation, as most musicals do, this highlights the situation of the young couple, and makes it look hopeful, but then ends it in a disappointing, awkward way. This juxtaposition from beginning to end is what really makes the film stand out.