100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 43: An American in Paris

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Genre: Musical/ Romance

Runtime: 114 minutes

Year: 1951

Starring: Gene Kelly, Eugene Borden, Oscar Levant, Nan Boardman, Martha Mabattre, Leslie Caron, Madge Blake, George Guétary, Marie Antoinette Andrews, Nina Foch

Description: Three friends struggle to find work in Paris. However, things become more complicated when two of them fall in love with the same woman.

Review: A year before my favorite musical, “Singin’ in the Rain”, came out, Gene Kelly was shining in “An American in Paris”. Although the movie has wonderful dance scenes and George Gershwins’s music is timeless, it never reaches that same level as “Singin’ in the Rain”. But “An American in Paris” is colorful and lively entertainment.

One of the strongest points of the film is the soundtrack. They are all original songs by George Gershwin, which gives the movie an unique and jazzy atmosphere. That in combination with Gene Kelly’s amazing dance moves, are the highlights of “An American in Paris”.

The story and the acting is not as interesting as the spectacle its surrounded by. The romance doesn’t captivate you. Luckily for us the chemistry between Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron is more present in the dance scenes.

Because it’s a musical, the story isn’t the most important thing. It’s the music and dancing that make this movie to a success. As a fan of musicals and Gene Kelly, this is definitely a movie you should watch.

Rating: 4/ 5