Dancing, Singin', and Technicolor!

Rating: 9/10 (2 November 2012)

Singin' in the Rain, 1952
Let me begin this by saying I'm not into musicals. I don't care for watching dancing in film or listening to gleeful songs throughout movies. I get bored by this easily, and often I feel like the songs unnecessarily drag on. That being said, Singin' in the Rain is my exception.
In this up tempo, feel-good musical film about the transition from Old to New Hollywood, leading man Gene Kelly puts on an absolutely incredible performance. It's hard to believe that Kelly performed that unforgettable title number ("Singin in the Rain", obviously) in the midst of a 103 degree fever. Donald O'Connor also gives an outstanding and comical performance, while also giving us some memorable numbers. And Debbie Reynolds...Who could imagine that the beautiful starlet who put on such a show throughout the film with her wonderful voice, had been quoted years later saying this had been the most difficult experience in her life aside from surviving childbirth? Well, she was no dancer. But it's so easy to look past that in this incredible movie. I found myself rooting for her character the whole time, in spite of that nasty, annoying Lina Lamont lady (Jean Hagen).
But it was much more than just the acting, singing, and dancing that made this movie what it really is. The gorgeous, well-crafted sets of Old Hollywood, the Monumental Pictures studio, the rainy city street, etc. are just phenomenally done and simply cannot go unnoticed while watching this. And my favorite aspect to this film, possibly, is the amazing color. The brightness and vividness that emits from the picture while watching it is just superb. It really makes the film that much more enjoyable to view. Simply amazing.
Once again, I repeat that I am not a fan of musicals. But this certainly is an exception. This movie is just great. Everything about it is awesome. See this classic!