THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
An exquisite, all-sung romance with only mild family concerns.
Should You Watch It?
If you want an unusual and beautiful moviegoing experience, this four-star classic is worth your time. Jacques Demy’s film is a modern opera shot on location in Cherbourg, with every line sung and a great big-band-style soundtrack. Its restored Technicolor print and Dolby sound make it especially suited to the big screen.
The family concerns are limited but real. There is no violence or foul language, while romantic intimacy is implied and results in a pregnancy outside marriage. Alcohol use is also present.
Take the trip if you enjoy emotionally direct romantic dramas and distinctive filmmaking. For most families, the content concerns are manageable with discernment.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESGenevieve, a 17-year-old who lives above her widowed mother’s umbrella shop, is in love with Guy, a 20-year-old auto mechanic. Their romance is threatened when Guy receives his draft notice and must leave.
As the young couple faces separation, Genevieve’s mother worries about their relationship. The film follows the choices that love, distance and circumstance place before them.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an exceptional film experience. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is original in form and beautifully restored, with a great soundtrack and a striking Technicolor presentation.
Every line is sung, creating a modern opera intended to be accessible to the public. The actors do a fine job conveying emotion through the big-band-style music. Its unusual approach will not be for everyone, but the result is a memorable and amazing moviegoing experience.
The Worldview
The film places romantic love and lost love at the center of its story. It treats the emotions of young love seriously and follows the consequences of separation, pregnancy outside marriage and decisions about marriage.
That romantic focus can affirm the power of love and the pain of loss, while also presenting intimacy outside marriage as part of the characters’ experience. The source review does not provide a fuller analysis of how the film’s worldview aligns with or departs from a biblical view.
Scripture recognizes both the ache of loss and God’s nearness to those who suffer: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Romantic worldview; no foul language; no violence; kissing with implied sexual relations resulting in pregnancy in unmarried woman; and, alcohol use
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Genevieve and Guy’s young love is tested by separation. What helps people remain faithful when circumstances change?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Psalm 27:14The story includes pregnancy outside marriage. How does Scripture call us to respond to sin with both truth and mercy?
John 1:14 · Galatians 6:1The film presents love and lost love through music. How can God meet us in seasons of grief and disappointment?
Psalm 34:18 · Romans 8:38–39What boundaries help protect love, wisdom and faithfulness in romantic relationships?
1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 · Proverbs 4:23The Final Word
This is a rare, beautifully restored movie experience: emotionally rich, musically distinctive and free of violence and foul language. Its implied sex, pregnancy outside marriage and alcohol use call for discernment, but the overall content is limited. WORTH THE TRIP.
