Well, I have to be one of those people who simply HATED this musical and really cannot see all the fuss over it, or ever why people think it should have won the Oscar for best picture of that year. Although it had some catchy tunes, and I guess the dancing was fine, it really didn't grab me. The plot was nearly non-existent. I put it up there with "Easter Parade", "Bandwagon", and "Finian's Rainbow" as the most boring musicals. Even though all of them have some wonderful tunes, none of them really do anything. Though I fully understood the weak excuse of a plot dealing with the transition from Vaudville, silent movies, then to talkies, I found that the actual plot was so thin it left me wanting, and it became nothing more than an excuse on which to hang some songs (albeit some really catchy and lively ones).
Sadly, I find that to be the trouble with most Movie musicals. There are no characters that develop at all. However, there are some that have really grabbed me: "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", "Meet me in Saint Louis" (and yes, it hasn't got a strong plot either, but it hangs together far better than "Singing in the Rain")"Brigadoon", "Showboat","Wizard of Oz", and a few like that. My favourite musical is "Fiddler on the Roof." Why it appeals to me is there is a real plot, and the music is not intrusive and doesn't stop the actual storyline. That is my biggest complaint with musicals is the way everything comes to a stop for the music ("Oliver" is one of the worst for this), and that usually the plot is so weak that well, were it not for the music there would be nothing whatever to watch.
Each performer did a masterful job in this movie, that I can admit. The choreography was well thought out (especially anything that Gene Kelly danced, but of course, he did the choreography, so naturally what he designed for himself would be masterful). Even the singing was quite good (though I prefer more robust singing over Kelly's soft breathy crooning). And of course, the sets, costumes, and all that were wonderful. And the editing was well done.
But even with all that going for it, it just left me cold and for the most part, bored. The only Movie Musical that bored me more was "Westside Story." And again, it is a musical with some really great music, just far too long.
Sadly, I find that to be the trouble with most Movie musicals. There are no characters that develop at all. However, there are some that have really grabbed me: "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", "Meet me in Saint Louis" (and yes, it hasn't got a strong plot either, but it hangs together far better than "Singing in the Rain")"Brigadoon", "Showboat","Wizard of Oz", and a few like that. My favourite musical is "Fiddler on the Roof." Why it appeals to me is there is a real plot, and the music is not intrusive and doesn't stop the actual storyline. That is my biggest complaint with musicals is the way everything comes to a stop for the music ("Oliver" is one of the worst for this), and that usually the plot is so weak that well, were it not for the music there would be nothing whatever to watch.
Each performer did a masterful job in this movie, that I can admit. The choreography was well thought out (especially anything that Gene Kelly danced, but of course, he did the choreography, so naturally what he designed for himself would be masterful). Even the singing was quite good (though I prefer more robust singing over Kelly's soft breathy crooning). And of course, the sets, costumes, and all that were wonderful. And the editing was well done.
But even with all that going for it, it just left me cold and for the most part, bored. The only Movie Musical that bored me more was "Westside Story." And again, it is a musical with some really great music, just far too long.