An American in Paris (1951) Review

Title: An American in Paris

Year: 1961

Director: Vincente Minnelli
Country: US
Language: English

When Singin' in the Rain (1952) hit theatres it was met with critical and commercial success, but shockingly did not receive any nominations at the Academy Awards. Film critics would later assume that it is due to the long looming shadow of American in Paris, Gene Kelly's vehicle that would win Best Picture (among other nominations) a year before. Was this picture deserving of such an award? Lets find out!

Three friends (Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron & Oscar Levant) struggle to find work in Paris. Things become more complicated when two of them fall in love with the same woman.

An American in Paris is a cute simplistic love story at heart directed by husband of Judy Garland and father of Liza Minnelli, Vincente Minnelli. It's quite quite an enjoyable film filled with lavish sets, brilliantly choreographed dance sequences, comedic interludes and grand music. The performances of the three main actors are remarkable; Gene Kelly is at his peak career-wise, he should have won an Oscar for his performance. 

The story, which is well written and fun to sit through, is used primarily to transition from one meaningful song to the next. The score is fairly hard to forget; proving its worth among the best Hollywood has to offer. The agile footwork and intense rhythm of the choreography is a sight to behold. The extravagant climactic super ballet of the film is quite breathtaking.

Unfortunately An American Paris is a bit more aged compared to films like Singin' in the Rain, primarily due to poorly written characters who are meant to dance more than have any real personality. The picture is much more style than substance; although if we're meant to be purely entertained by Kelly's vehicle then it succeeds greatly.