Today’s quick review: Singin’ in the Rain. Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), a popular silent film star, has risen to the top with the help of his best friend Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor), his shrill costar Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), and his newfound love Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). But when the advent of the talkie threatens to torpedo his career, he and his friends must salvage his latest film to have any hope of succeeding in the next era of cinema.
Singin’ in the Rain is a cheerful musical about a silent film star at the dawn of sound in Hollywood. Singin’ in the Rain features a trio of talented leads, energetic dance numbers, and an upbeat soundtrack. The movie’s witty repartee and sense of irony give it some bite, while its charm and optimism keep the tone consistently light.
The lead trio of Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor are enough to take the movie far. Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds play off each other marvelously, trading barbs and taking turns deflating each other’s egos until they at last fall in love. Donald O’Connor throws himself into the role of Cosmo, Don’s impish and underappreciated best friend. The trio’s banter is backed by top-notch singing and dancing ability from all three.
The music ranges from adequate to excellent. Signin’ in the Rain, the film’s iconic title track, stands out as the best of the bunch, a gentle, catchy tune about being in love. Not all of the remaining numbers are so melodic, but they do offer a pleasant mix of exuberant singing and excuses to dance. Many of the songs are accompanied by tap dancing interludes that complement the music and show off the skills of the performers.
The plot is a mixed bag, with great concepts and mediocre execution. The first half of the film revolves around the turbulent romance of Don and Kathy. As that portion of the plot wraps up, Don’s current film is thrown into disarray by the arrival of motion pictures with sound. The boundary isolates much of the film’s best wit to the first half and much of its best music to the second, while a protracted musical number near the end of the film throws a wrench in its pacing.
Singin’ in the Rain is a must-see for fans of classic musicals. The film also has enough singing, dancing, and acting talent to please even partial fans of the genre, and its flaws are not fatal. Those who dislike the saccharine side of the musical genre should steer clear, as should those looking for a movie with a more elaborate plot.
8.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for good dialogue, great dancing and singing, and a fun soundtrack.