Review of An American in Paris (1951) by Ricardo O — 30 Dec 2010

While it is pretty odd looking back at the fact that this beat out A Streetcar Named Desire for Best Picture, it still isn't fair to call it a mediocre film as many seem to judge it as these days. Its plot may not be anything remarkable as most musicals usually aren't, but the production values of this film, music, and dance numbers are all extraordinary. At the time just about nobody in America had ever seen an extended ballet sequence like this film features before. Star/choreographer Gene Kelly was inspired to make a sequence like that after having seen Powell-Pressburger's The Red Shoes' own extended ballet sequence and pitched the idea to the producers. The sequence Kelly came up with would end up being a 17-minute piece. Needless to say, the producers were skeptical about doing such a thing. All of their skepticism did not last once Kelly screened the previously said sequence from The Red Shoes. The producers ran with it, and it is often the reason that many viewers believe the film won all six of its Oscars.

The plot, though it isn't as weak as many call it, doesn't quite hold up too great anymore but with production values like this one can't really complain too much. It also helps that the film is very entertaining, especially seeing the great Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron do their dance sequences. The great musical director Vincente Minnelli's talent is on full display as always. The beautiful, vibrant color scheme of the entire film that the art directors/set designers and the cinematographers came up with is extraordinary as well. And last but not least, Gene Kelly's wonderful choreography, especially the signature 17-minute ballet sequence at the end of the film, deserve a lot of credit to making this wonderful film so entertaining.

Despite the straightforward plot, An American In Paris excels at creating such great entertainment thanks to Vincente Minnelli's wonderful direction, the use of the Gershwins' music, Gene Kelly's choreography, and it's brilliant production values. Vincente Minnelli may have directed better musicals (Meet Me In St. Louis and The Band Wagon immediately come to mind) and there were some other better musicals of the era (Singin' In the Rain, also starring Gene Kelly, being the greatest of all), An American In Paris is still a great achievement in cinema. Highly recommended viewing for classic movie buffs and fans of movie musicals. 10/10.