The Young Girls of Rochefort

Romantic Trilogy - Part 3

Demy presents a ‘fairy-tale' that, similar to a Shakespeare comedy, if full of coincidences. In the small town of Rochefort, Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac real life sisters play two musical twin sisters, Delphine and Solange, who teach music and dance to children. Conveniently Maxence, the poet and painter and Bill who owns a music shop, two carnies with the fair come to Rochefort looking for love. 

Appearing in the wake of the French New Wave Jacques Demy was famous for creating a self-contained fantasy world, drawing on musicals, fairytales and the golden age of Hollywood. A special cameo appearance from Gene Kelly in the role of famous piano player Andy Miller adds the American dream quality to this quirky French classic.

The lush score by Michel Legrand ranges from fifties combo jazz to all-out string ensembles that will dare you not to tap your feet. Although The Young Girls of Rochefort is less acclaimed than The Umbrellas of Cherbourg the tracks A Pair of Twins and You Must Believe in Spring are instantly recognizable. The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Music and Best Score for a Musical Picture.

Definitely a film for cinematic musical comedy lovers; its visual appeal is undeniable as each shot is lovingly designed and framed. The imitable Deneuve and Dorléac play stunning beauties in their prime and is it a real chance to capture the talent of Dorléac in her last film as she tragically died in a car accident aged just 25.

Demy's real life wife and fellow film director of the French new-wave makes a cameo in the film as a nun who visits the music shop. A colorful feel good oldie that is a classic of French cinema recommended by Jonathan Ross.