Film: Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)

This evening, I headed to see The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, a classic French musical which, would you believe, I'd never before seen! Stars Catherine Deneuve as a young girl in Cherbourg who falls in love with a local boy (Nino Castelnuovo), who then heads off to fight in Algeria - with no word from him, and finding herself pregnant, she marries an older, local businessman. Showing in the BFI, it was booking pretty heavily, so I booked as well. Also booked to eat beforehand in The Archduke - but wow, for this evening, by the time I looked, they only had two slots left - with the film not starting till 8.45, 6pm was too early, and the only other one was at 7.45, which I took! I guessed I'd probably have to restrict myself to one course..

The unfortunate thing is, I was in the office today, and they lock it at 7. Which was too early for me to walk to the restaurant. I left a little early, and stationed myself in the Pret where I have lunch on office days, and which was still open - had some more of their delectable chocolate, and an apple juice, and played my phone game. Now, as mentioned, the restaurant was close enough to walk to - except that I stayed too long playing that game, and ended up taking the Tube, as the only way to get there on time. At least it wasn't too busy.

I did make it on time, about perfectly! And (sigh) he led me upstairs again, so I lugged my rucksack up there. What a well-travelled laptop I have. Gave me a table on a corner, set for two, but you'd have had trouble squeezing two in there - so it was lucky I was alone. Funny, the entire conservatory was empty - perhaps it was closed this evening. Anyway, I had a great view of the singer and pianist, belting away loudly - one person left, saying it was too loud for him. Now, I know rather few people were paying attention - but really, the singer could have put more into his stage performance - good voice, but stood stock still for the whole thing..

I asked what the soup of the day was, but didn't fancy it - luckily, because I just had enough time as it was! Had the roast chicken, as usual - now, maybe it was because it was my fourth chicken dinner in a row, but it didn't enthuse me as much as usual - it doesn't help, of course, that I don't like the sauce that comes with it! Anyway, I ate enough that I felt stuffed, then trotted off to the cinema. In the rain, which the weather app had decided, in the end, was more likely not to happen. Appropriate for the title of the film, of course.

I just made that in time, too, muttering about all the rushing around I had to do - had checked my ticket for the door number, went straight in and took my seat, unloading all my stuff onto the seat beside me, and praying it wouldn't be occupied. It wasn't. And then I noticed people round about reading the programme notes - tarnation, it's so long since I was last here for a film, I'd forgotten about those, which they leave beside the doors to the screens, and which give such handy insights! I finally got one on the way out, and discovered the reviewers were using the same words I was..

Ahh.. all the way home, I swear, I caught people humming, or whistling, that enchanting theme tune. The whole film is sung, you know, and that tune - or snatches of it - is heard throughout. Much like Les Misérables in that. Or Cats, for that matter.. Couple that with the candy-bright colours of the set and costumes, belying the serious subject matter, and you have a classic musical in the making. One of the reviewers pointed out that, at the time, this was the only way to voice dissent against the war in Algeria - to couch it as a love story, and highlight the effect on those left behind.

It's a bittersweet tale - I assumed it was her mother who forced her into marriage but no, she came to that sensible decision herself! at the age of 16. Deneuve herself was 21 at the time.. just a little old for the part, which she played well. In fact, this was her breakthrough role. And to be fair, if the man who professed undying love for her only writes to her once in the two years he's away.. and along comes an attractive older man who doesn't mind that you're already pregnant, and is pleasantly well-to-do..

Also striking about the film is the sad puppy look her beloved keeps adopting. Good grief, that'd annoy me - but each to their own. And I'll have you know, after a period of deep despair upon discovering she's wed another, he comes to his own pragmatic arrangement. (And after her swearing she'd wait, tsk.) Quite a lot of pragmatism going on in the film. But you know, for all that.. as I say, it's bittersweet, a lament for lost love. Memorable, and recommended - not schmaltzy, very watchable. Plus, I do love that song - and good music will always swing me in favour of something.

The reviewers made one more very good point - her mother must have been a very bad businesswoman, to fail to make a success of an umbrella business, in Cherbourg, which is apparently noted for its rain - indeed, few scenes in the film don't have either rain or snow. Anyway, made my way home, and had an exciting journey indeed, taking the #188 mainly to see what diversion it would take, with Waterloo Road closed southbound! Quite a tour of the backstreets, we had..

The second film in a row, and the first of a few days of Meetup, tomorrow, back with The Hideout (TH) for Return to Silent Hill. I'm not familiar with this franchise, or the video game it's based on - although, looking at the trailer, I can imagine the game must look terrific - no, the only exposure I've had to it thus far is the theme music, which I love! (I told you music can swing me..) No details at first on venue or time - I actually begged them not to go back to the Odeon Leicester Square! Happily, we now know they're headed to Vue, meeting first in Victory House. And of course, I'm in Bella Italia before that. And I'm pretty sure I won't be having chicken.

On Saturday, definitely a Meetup, although not an official one - London Museums A-Z (LoMAZ) have their bimonthly birthday gathering! This one is for January & February birthdays, but everyone is welcome who's joined their WhatsApp group for people who've attended at least one event. We're meeting at The Sun Wharf (yippee, walking distance again - and I'm rather glad they just pushed it back by an hour, I can always use the time), then heading on a self-guided walk around Borough and surrounds, with a reduced number of stops this time - I signed up to give the first spiel, as potentially the most gruesome, about Clink Street! Mind you, it's now been moved to the second spot. Repairing to The Union Jack afterwards.

And on Sunday, I'm with Movie Roadhouse London, who just advertised The History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O' Connor as two young Americans travelling around and collecting folk music. Showing at the Barbican, and the organiser has wisely suggested we meet at the cafe on Beech Street - that building is a maze!

On Monday, thinking of checking out the Winter Lights Festival in Canary Wharf - and my sometime companion says she'll come too. Interestingly, the 45+ Not Grumpies also have an outing to there that evening - but I don't see the value in paying them £6 for an exhibition I can go around for free..

On Tuesday, back at the cinema on my own - I'm biting the bullet and seeing Stalker. I've heard this described as one of the best films ever made - certainly, I found the trailer confusing enough that I did a lot of research before I decided to see it. Made in the late Communist era, it involves a surreal journey through the Zone, where normal laws of physics do not apply, to the Room, where a person's deepest desires may be granted. If they are proven worthy. It's thought to be a metaphor for the frustrations of the failure of the Communist system. Anyway, showing in the Close-Up Cinema.

On Wednesday, got another cheap ticket - this time with CT - to Our American Queen, a dramatisation of the life of Kate Chase, daughter of a powerful politician at the time of the American Civil War. She herself was very active politically on his behalf, despite not having a vote herself. Showing in the Bridewell Theatre, and I'm eating beforehand in The Old Bell Tavern.

Next, a couple of Meetups: next Thursday, back with LoMAZ (yay!), who are, unusually for them, doing something midweek - specifically, a late at the Cartoon Museum - which should be walking distance from the office, where I'll be that day. I got the second-last place in the group, phew - takes longer for the midweek ones to fill, obviously. It finally filled up yesterday.

And on the 30th, back with TH for Primate, about your typical tropical paradise, where a group of youngsters have come to party, and there's a pet chimp. Unfortunately, he goes from sweet to savage when bitten by a rabid animal, and carnage ensues.

The 31st was the day that suited best for me, James, Mark, and Martin to meet.

And on the 1st, Over 40 Living the Life is planning a trip to the 7 Wonders of the World Immersive Exhibition, which sounds good. However, I baulk at their trip for a few reasons - firstly, the £4 per person she's charging on top: secondly, the tickets she's bought don't include VR, which you'd have to buy separately: and thirdly, it's too damn early! I've bought my own ticket (VIP - includes the VR) for later in the day.