Singin' in the Rain Review

        This is my second musical that I have reviewed for this blog. This is probably one of my favorites now that I just got done finishing it. You’re probably asking what does Singin’ in the Rain has to do with films about making movies. Well, there’s a lot, and the approach is pretty hilarious. I think it still holds up despite being approximately 70 years old, it has that charm of well being able to adapt and has really catchy tunes. SPOILERS will show up. 

1. Hollywood is Changing

        I will say that this film is a historical fiction type. Since it mostly deals with the adjustment that Hollywood had to make when the idea of sound started to be implemented. They use the film The Jazz Singer, which exists and is the first film to have moving images and recorded dialogue. With all that, the film stars classic actors Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Gerald O’Connor. They depict a group of actors that have to adapt to Hollywood transitioning from silent pictures to “talkies” as they were called back then. 

        The two male leads decide to convince their producer R.F. Simpson, to convert the film both Kelly’s character Don and Jean Hagan’s Lina are in to a musical. Since when they released the movie The Dueling Cavalier with sound but shot as a silent film. It gets laughed at by the audience by just how inept it is. The moments where the director is just getting frustrated with Lina not speaking to the mic is hilarious. Especially when R.F. accidentally pulls the cord, unintentionally sending Lina falling backwards. 

        What makes the musical work, aside from the actual musical numbers, is the fact that the characters try everything to be in Hollywood. Don learns that Kathy is an up-and-coming stage actress that he asks Simpson for her to be in the film. From there, they decide to convert the film to a musical. By using her to dub in Lina’s voice, which has a distinct Brooklyn accent. I’m being nice when I say that. My favorite moment is when they are filming, it’s in color. Then it transitions to black and white when Simpson, along with Don and Cosmo are watching the assembly cut. Which is like a rough draft for a movie.

2. The Music

        It’s the scene stealer without a doubt. Just seeing snippets of musicals today just shows how this movie be the ideal film for anyone directing a musical. There’s no quick edits to see the choreograph in a different angle. Just seeing the three main characters dancing and singing as we’re watching a Broadway play. Most of the songs actually advance the story, so they’re not just there just cause. 

        Mostly they’re about Don being cheered up by his friend and when they’re pitching the new film to the producer. None of them are distracting or just stop the movie. Catchy is an understatement since they embody the flamboyant style the film has going for it. I think the important thing about musicals is that the songs are meant to forward the story not just stop and sing for no reason contextually. With Singin’ in the Rain, most of the main cast has their time to shine, especially O’Connor who is kinetic with his song “Make ‘Em Laugh”.

3. Legacy

        Without a doubt this movie has a massive influence after it came out. It didn’t win any Academy Awards, but it’s one of those films that has become beloved and cherished years after the fact. I only ever heard of the film from an episode of Family Guy. Unfortunately, it was referenced in the Stanley Kubrick adaptation of A Clockwork Orange, I’m not going to say where exactly it happens in the film, but it’ll probably scar you. Researching more on the film, I was not aware that the film was being used as a basis or reference to many films and with music artists. 

4. Overall 

        So what if it’s old, and the aspect ratio doesn’t cover your tv or mobile device. This movie has music that absolutely slaps until your hand is numb. It’s an absolute classic and you should definitely watch it. 

        Singin’ in the Rain gets a five out of five.