weezeralfalfa
Finally got a DVD copy so I could see the whole thing. Strange that "Singing in the Rain" wasn't even nominated for Best Picture the following year, yet has since far overtaken this musical in popularity. Maybe, they just didn't want a Kelly-starring musical to win twice in a row? I too rate "Singing..." somewhat higher than this film, but I still am not shocked that it won Best Picture. Many people seem to see this film as a stepping stone toward "Singing...".Gene Kelly, of course, was the male lead, playing Jerry: a struggling 'young' American artist in Paris, having stayed in Paris after discharged from the army after the war was finished. He had 2 supporting actors:Oscar Levant played a 45y.o. 'young' struggling concert pianist, and friend of Jerry. One reason he was included was that he had been a friend of the deceased George Gershwin, whose music was being featured. He usually supplied a bit of light comedy, as well.Singer and actor Georges Guetary as Henri, was Kelly's rival for the romantic attention of the female lead: young Leslie Caron. She was 19 or 20 vs. the 38 or 36 of her 2 suitors, not an unusual age spread in Hollywood films. The following year, Debbie Reynolds, the same age, took her place in "Singing in the Rain". Leslie seemed like an ingénue pixie, who happened to be a very talented ballerina and all around dancer of the type Kelly was looking for. Apparently, Leslie did not yet know much English, which was one reason she didn't talk that much. However, her speech was clear. Leslie(as Lise) had somewhat of a romantic rival in Nina Foch(as Milo), who is characterized as a striking looking blond, a charming, rich, sophisticated American divorcée, a mere 10 years Kelly's junior. Clearly she was more attracted to Kelly than he was to her. She picked up struggling young artists and musicians as 'boy toys', in return, giving them financial or other assistance. Clearly ,the typical Hollywood formula was for Kelly's character to prefer the apparently naïve teenager over her shopworn older rival. The screenplay doesn't disappoint in this regard.Oscar has a curious segment by himself in which he clearly demonstrates his phenomenal piano playing in front of an orchestra, which seems to be made up of copies of himself, rather like the many images of Fred Astaire dancing, in one of his films.(I wonder what Oscar had been smoking??).Several times Kelly cavorts with some street kids, most notably when he sings and dances to "I Got Rhythm". We might wonder why Jerry can't make a living as a dancer, instead of struggling as a painter.Part of the comedy is that Jerry and Henri don't know they are dating the same girl. But Oscar, who knows them both well, does know this, and is sitting with them in a café, where each describes his girl.Kelly and Leslie don't do a show-type dance until well into the film, when they are romancing by the Seine , late in the evening. They sing and dance to "Our Love is Here to Stay". Henri's biggest stage moment comes when he sings "A Stairway to Paradise", while going up and down a stairway, on which a bevy of showgirls are descending, like goddesses from heaven.Leslie finally tells Jerry that she's going to marry Henri, although she loves him too. Jerry is very disappointed, and immediately arranged a date with Nina for a New Year's party.(Didn't look like winter to me!) Leslie and Henri also are at this party. Later, they drive off to get married, as Jerry waves a sad goodbye. But, a little while later, their car returns, while Kelly is still outside. Leslie pops out of the car, and guess what happens? Yes, pretty contrived.Before the New Year's party, Jerry had a very elaborate daydream: the 17 min. ballet. Unlike some reviewers, I enjoyed this. He dreams he is searching for Leslie, and finally finds her when she is dancing. Kelly had a solo ballet number in most of his later films. In some, such as this one and in "On the Town", he is lamenting his apparent loss of his new found love. In his subsequent films "Singing in the Rain", "Brigadoon", and "Always Fair Weather", his solo ballet serves to express his happiness in fining a new love, rather than his fear of losing such.Cyd Charisse was originally slated to take the role filled by Leslie, but a pregnancy nixed that plan. For her replacement, Kelly wanted a French girl who could do her style of dancing, and discovered Leslie.Director Vincent Minelli had or would later work with Kelly in the musicals "The Pirate" and "Brigadoon". Both these films had disappointing Box Office reception, but I enjoyed them.
Smoreni Zmaj
I watched this without single blink, it was pure 10/10. And then, when story line was near its natural end, endless train of dancing acts with no sense or connection to the story (at least I did not get it) started and lasted for about 20 minutes. Feeling was the same as when TV station breaks the movie at its peak to annoy you with long set of commercials. I caught myself thinking about other things while checking my nails and taking a look at the clock for the first time since movie started. It completely destroyed the magic. And then in some review I saw this: "One of the film's highlights is its impressive finale - an ambitious, colorful, imaginative, 13 minute avant-garde "dream ballet" costing a half million dollars to produce." - they could spend that money smarter. "The pretentious sequence, featuring an Impressionistic period daydream in the style of various painters, is one of the longest uninterrupted dance sequences of any Hollywood film." - and with this one I completely agree. If I ever decide to watch this again, I'll find version with this crap cut off. I bet someone already did it and posted it somewhere.
rodrig58
If you're an idiot and you like films like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) or Suicide Squad (2016), you will not like this movie. You must be sensitive, artistic, to like music, dance, painting, arts in general and, in particular, to have been suffered in life, in love. Then you will understand this masterpiece, this little gem of film. Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary, Nina Foch are all very good. Unfortunately, they all are in another dimension where I do not know if they can make movies anymore... The only one who is still alive, is Leslie Caron, the least talented one. Overall, the film is very good, because of those first five performances. To be watched at any time. Watch all Vincente Minnelli's movies, he was a great film director.
Sergeant_Tibbs
I haven't seen much from Gene Kelly, but I do know it's a shame the Academy couldn't have waited one more year to bestow him with awards for Singin' In The Rain instead of An American In Paris. The film isn't too bad to start with and it begins with some promise of wit and personality. They're never developed and it feels like all the characters outside of Gene Kelly are a waste - though I did enjoy a certain fantasy scene, as extraneous as it may be. There's so very little reasons to invest in these characters, their relationships and their problems. The songs leave a lot to be desired and are often bland and forgettable. It just drags on and on. Pretty sets and costumes do not maketh the movie. Perhaps it was acclaimed at the time due to post-war international relations, but they should've just bitten the bullet and given the Best Picture award to A Streetcar Named Desire or A Place In The Sun. Either would have been fine. This is just one 100 minute long flatline. I dread Gigi now, I just wasn't looking forward to it before.5/10
