It is impossible not to compare this to THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG. I know people prefer that film to this, but I absolutely loved this. I think that’s due to the sing-song nature of CHERBOURG. The colors and world is super vibrant. I’m shocked at how good Gene Kelly is at French. He leaps off the screen — his smile just has that way. It is a little annoying that none of the actor’s are actually singing even though most of them are strong singes. Even though I don’t speak French, I had the songs stuck in my head. The dance scene on the bridge that opens the film feels like it directly inspired LA LA LAND and also was so lovely. The songs I particular loved were ‘We Travel From Town to Town',’ and ‘Sailors, Friends, Lovers, or Spouses’. This film is also the king of the “near miss” love story since everyone JUST misses one another to the point where you passionately screaming at the screen for them to just come into the room or linger a bit longer so lovers can finally meet. The one weird thing here is everyone in the town is so cavalier about the murder subplot -- I don’t think that part was necessary.
