ANGIE'S TOP FILMS: Moses also supposes that singin' in the rain is grand fun.
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
(1952)
Starring: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, and Jean Hagen.
Directed by: Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly.
Rated: Unrated.
I find it downright hilarious how siochembio and I have been paralleling each other in recent reviews. She does Singin', I do The Thin Man; she does The Thin Man and now I'm doing Singin'. I guess it just goes to show that great minds think alike, eh? ;^D
Also, that Gene Kelly + happy music = a universally-agreed-upon source of goodness and fun.
Take a bow, Gene! You fine, foxy man, you.
So if you don't know the plot to Singin' in the Rain, you obviously didn't read siochembio's review last week; but I'll give a super short synopsis anwyway. The film is set in 1927, just as Hollywood is making the transition from silent pictures to talkies. Movie star Don Lockwood (Kelly) finds himself in a difficult situation: his super famous and beloved-by-the-public leading lady, Lina Lamont (Hagen), has a voice as shrill as a dental drill, and a shrewish personality to match. It'll take some clever finagling on Don's part, with the help of his lady love Kathy (Reynolds) and best pal Cosmo (O'Connor) to save his career and the newest Lockwood and Lamont picture. Plenty of comedic hijinks, romance, and dazzling musical numbers ensue.
Just about everything in this movie is fantastic. The cast is not only extremely pretty (mmm, Gene Kelly and his wonderfully tight, tight pants...) but also crazy talented. Donald O'Connor's energetic pratfalls and rubber face provide much of the film's hilarity, especially in the immortal number "Make 'Em Laugh", and makes him a wonderfully zany best pal to the more straight-laced Don. Jean Hagen deserves huge props for making the shrill harpy Lina Lamont such a huge source of fun in the film; the first time she speaks and ruins her elegant leading lady image never fails to make me giggle. Her dumb blonde moments are equally giggle-inducing -- she makes more money than Calvin Coolidge! Put together! X^D
And Lina thinks she's the one surrounded by idiots...
Then there's Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. They both exude such energy and emotion, singing their hearts out when they aren't dancing their feet raw. Reynolds seems to glow in her scenes with Kelly, and is beautiful in such a fresh-faced, girl-next-door sort of way. And Kelly, man, Kelly... He throws himself body and soul into this film. His dancing is mesmerizing, his witty repartee fast and furious, and he makes those tight pants and shirts look damn good. Watching the two play off one other, with either rapid-fire quips or soft eyes and fast feet, will give you such a delicious warm glow of contentment all over.
She's his lucky star; she's lucky in his arms.
Singin' in the Rain is a real feast for the senses. The soundtrack, composed of classic songs collected from previous films or Broadway musicals, is bouncy, inventive, and embodies everything that a musical should be. The dance numbers, choreographed and directed by Kelly himself, are equally fun and inventive. This is the sort of musical that reaffirms your belief in making art for the sheer love and fun of it, and will absolutely make you wish you could sing and dance as well as Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly.
And stay up until 1 in the morning with your best pals.
Then there are the sets and the costumes, glittering and sumptuous enough to make you nostalgic for the days of flappers and Studebakers. The dresses are beautiful, the jewelry hypnotically dazzling, the hairstyles perfect -- and have I mentioned Gene's tight pants? Mmmmm. Also, you get to see everyone in fancy suits and evening gowns and fur coats and fedoras, and you simply can't go wrong with those.
One more aspect of the film I feel I have to touch on: its self-awareness. This is a film about making films, and the moments where it puts a spotlight on the ridiculousness of Hollywood and silent pictures are some of the best in the entire film. I especially love the short scene leading up to "Make 'Em Laugh" where Don and Cosmo, deep in conversation about Kathy, pass the small sets for several films currently being made, where men are fighting on the top of a train and African natives dance around a cauldron. I love meta moments in movies and books/comics, and I can always appreciate something that acknowledges the flaws or laughable aspects. Also, it never fails to amuse me when Gene Kelly hams it up for the silent scenes -- he overdoes everything to a spectacular degree.
OH NOES! I THINK I HEAR FOOTSTEPS!
If you've never gotten around to watching Singin' in the Rain, promise me and siochembio that you'll find a copy as soon as you've the spare time. We can guarantee it'll improve your day, no matter what mood you're in. Really, it's for your own good. There's a reason (or a dozen) why this is one of the most beloved musicals of all time.
On a scale of 1 to 10: Singin' is irrestible with a perfect 10. It told us so itself.
And to close, one of my favourite numbers in the film, which showcases some of the best dancing in the entire film. ("Moses Supposes" is my favourite, but Siobhan already posted that one, hehe!)
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