Waste of time

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Good concept, poorly executed.

Absolutely Fantastic

I think Jacques Demy can be an acquired taste for some people. His films often border on, if not fall directly into, camp territory with their bright mise en scene and grand melodrama. Most of them are quite melancholy or even downers, focusing on romantic frustration, lost dreams, bitter regrets, and family dramas. In this regard, The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) is a little bit of an anomaly as it is quite sunny and cheerful.In many ways an homage to the Hollywood musical, Young Girls is a delightful romp about interconnected lovers and dreamers. Michel Legrand's music is fun and upbeat. All the actors are in fine form, even if some of them are a little rough with their footwork. Nevertheless, I would say this is one of Demy's best movies.

In the little town Rochefort lives Delphine and Solange Garnier, two musical twins that teach music and dance to kids. One day, Etienne and Bill arrive in town, and need the twins help with a song and dance-number. Also, the famous piano-player Andy Miller (Gene Kelly) comes to town to help an old friend.Jacques Demy is an incredible filmmaker and the master of the musical. Working with Catherine Deneuve (his muse?), he succeeds again and even gets Gene Kelly in on the act. This film not only has solid singing, but plenty of noteworthy choreography. And, as Demy seems quite fond of, more than a splash of color.Jonathan Rosenbaum says the film "is loved in France but tends to be an acquired taste elsewhere." Supporting this view he cites Pauline Kael, who wrote that this film "demonstrates how even a gifted Frenchman who adores American musicals misunderstands their conventions." While this is probably not Demy's best film, trying to force it into the Hollywood box may be a mistake on Kael's part.Definitely worth seeking out, especially now that Criterion has released it on Blu-ray as part of their incredible Demy box set.

If you like musicals and if you find the 60's enchanting than do not look further than this classic French number.The costumes are fantastically colourful full of pastels the style unmistakable, Hats are worn by both men and women... a different era, the characters even the meanies are charming it all sounds a bit whimsical but trust me it has humour as well as romance by the bag full.Solange and Delphine transport us in a universe where Love is all around and beats to the sounds of cool Legrand beats,the Master Jazz composer of this musical. Actors such as Michel Piccoli only ever seen singing and acting simultaneously in this film, adds a bit more depth to this cinematic sensation. Not that it's lightness should be taken for fluffiness, if you scratch the script a little you will notice hints of modernity, it is a musical that goes where not even Grease goes in terms of language and Les Demoiselles de Rochefort was made nearly 20 years earlier...The film has pinches of realism in this simple tell of 2 twin sisters looking for love in the city of Rochefort in 60's France of that you can be certain.I recommend this movie for 2 reasons. First the music, intoxicating Jazz numbers, American influenced yet continental texts, modern fluid dancing and singing...and the second reason is the story although simple it is punctuated by the arrival of meanies such as "les forins" or "Guillaume", even old man "DutrouZ" with a Z, hides something... for 90 minutes the viewer is projected into a family business a family a modern one so a little disjointed and controversial...and all this in the language of Moliere...rent it...buy it...whatever you do try and catch the Demoiselles de Rochefort you will smile all the more for it !

Its not often I feel suitably inspired or even annoyed enough to make any kind of contribution to online forums. However, such has been the effect that this wonderful film "Les Demoiselle de Rochefort" has had on me that I now feel utterly compelled to share my wild enthusiasm for this wonderfully charming musical extravaganza. I think I was finally motivated to make my feelings for "Les Demoiselles" clear given some of the naïve and somewhat misguided criticism of this extraordinary film. I stumbled across this movie only very recently. I must admit to being a little bemused seeing Gene Kelly singing in French and dancing in the main square of a certain provincial French town by the name of Rochefort - where I had myself been only three years before on vacation! It's a little bit like discovering that "American in Paris" had been made in some little local town in some languishing American or British backwater. As a lover of jazz it was Michel Legrand's fantastic and pulsating score that initially drew me to watch more and more of this captivating film. I really have to laugh at criticism of this film as being "too jazzy" or even that the music is "dated". Of course it's a movie "of its time". That's precisely the appeal of the film! What musical isn't in essence dated? Is "Top Hat" or "Gigi" any less wonderful because the music is fifty or even seventy years old? Absolute nonsense. These critics have no idea of the great French jazz tradition of such superb singers as Mimi Perrin and her "Les Double Six" or even of Ward Swingle's innovative vocal group the "Swingle Singers". As for criticism that the plot is silly or contrived and that there are too many songs? I ask you: name me any musical that isn't basically a contrived vehicle for singing and dancing? The fashions are indeed tres retro and tres cool! Certainly, the plot of "Les Demoiselles" is whimsical and eccentric. That again is precisely the charm of the film that attracts and holds the viewer. The music is indeed first class. Who could possibly criticise the dancing of Gene Kelly? I only wish Mr. Kelly had had a bigger dancing role in the film. As for the youthful, effervescent and stunning partnership of George Chakiris and Grover Dale - I utterly fail to see how those who love dance could not be totally charmed by their energetic synergy! I didn't come to this film with any prejudice or preconceptions. That's because I had never even heard of the film before I stumbled on to it last Christmas. I have since purchased the beautifully restored DVD version of "Les Demoiselles" and the sound track with Michel Legrand's superb music. I can understand somewhat how you will either love this film and be drawn mysteriously into its hypnotic Franco/American charms or like some of the misguided souls on this forum - not like it very much. Ouch! As for myself I have watched this film over seven times now and enjoy it more the more often I view it! I thoroughly encourage all readers of this post to savour the film with an open mind and let the charms of "Les Demoiselles" sooth your troubled spirits. If it's "joie de vivre" you are after then this is the complete antidote to grey skies, bad days and black moods. A film - and especially music - that will captivate you and will - as Mr. Sinatra might suggest - get "under your skin". You really can't ask any more of a musical. I must also add that Catherine Deneuve and the late Françoise Dorleac are truly alluring as the tuneful sisters as delightfully performed in the spirited and stylish "Twins Song". So, please go and watch this great film and ignore the critics! I guarantee you it's a film that you won't forget very easily! As the French might just say: "Formidable!"