Review of Singin' in the Rain (1952) by Chris W — 21 Feb 2012

I can't believe it took me so long to finally get around to watching this. Long before The Artist, this often lauded Gene Kelly musical took a stab at the world of filmmaking, particular the uneasy transition (especially for performers) from silent pictures to talkies.

It's a wonderful (and wonderfully simple) story, but that's just fine. It's overwhelming in its charm and entertainment factor, but something really stuck out for me: this is, despite being really good, quite overrated. Yes, the musical nubers are outstanding, the singing and dancing are great, the cinematography looks beautiful, and there's some memorable sequences, but overall, this feels rather light. Also, it bugs me that most of the musicals numbers aren't really there to serve the story or move things forward.

I also can't help but think my enjoyment of this movie was somewhat sullied due to the usage of the title song during an infamous moment in A Clockwork Orange, and that several others songs felt warmed over due to being used heavily in commercials and through references on Family Guy.

There are some good performances though, and, the subject matter is great stuff (I'd love to read a scholarly monograph on the impact of the transition from silence to sound). The performances are pretty good, and this is pure, good natured fun, but, as I said, it doesn't quite hold up as being a masterful classic.