Today’s quick review: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. In a frontier town in Oregon, the seven Pontipee brothers lead a lead a rough, solitary life in the wilderness. When the eldest brother Adam (Howard Keel) marries Milly (Jane Powell) on a trip into town, his brothers are inspired to try their own hands at love. Meeting the disapproval of the townsfolk, the brothers come up with a plan to kidnap their sweethearts so they can be married.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a musical romantic comedy about love on the frontier. The Pontipee brothers have a direct, uncultured approach to courtship that lands them in trouble with both the residents of the nearby town and the women they seek to impress. It’s up to Adam’s indomitable wife Milly to set them straight, teaching them basic manners and bringing out their better natures.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is an energetic musical with an upbeat soundtrack and acrobatic dancing. The songs are catchy and smartly written, although they fall just short of iconic. Howard Keel’s resonant baritone gives the musical numbers a solid foundation to build on. Jane Powell delivers an excellent musical performance of her own, and she glues the film together as the sole civilizing influence in the brothers’ lives.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers has an endearing innocence about it. In spite of their coarse exteriors, the Pontipee brothers mean well, and even though Milly gets more than she bargained for by marrying into the family, she adjusts to her new life with grace and resilience. The film also steers clear of any serious conflict, with only a light smattering of drama and little of the lovesickness seen in other romances.
Give Seven Brides for Seven Brothers a shot when you are in the mood for something cheerful and well-executed. The film’s quality shows in its charming premise, its enjoyable music, and its pleasant story, and it should please most fans of classic musicals. Skip it if you are looking for a more dramatic love story or if you dislike traditional romance. For another musical with similar elements and a satirical edge, check out The Pirates of Penzance.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for quality and charm.