Back When Sweat Was Involved

Rating: 6/10 (10 August 2001)

I had put off seeing this movie because of the tremendous amount of build-up it has associated with it. "The Best Movie Musical of All Time" is a large title to uphold and...well...it just couldn't do it. Now, before I get pummelled with rotten tomatoes, I'd like to point out the things I really liked about the film.
First, and foremost, watching Gene Kelly dance was very entertaining. He really made it look effortless, and it was so delightful to see a man of his build and facial expressions doing the kind of dancing he was doing. One just doesn't get the opportunity to see that in film anymore, and I think it would still be received appreciatively today.
Jean Hagen's performance was hilarious. She was very believable and no "dumb blonde" either (well, of course she was!). To me she was the true scene stealer who gave a timeless comedic performance that will continue to be revered.
I think one of the reasons this movie will not be timeless as a whole, however, is because of the Donald O'Connor character. There is no doubt this man was a product of a time when Hollywood actors had to work extremely hard to earn their money (I'm thinking of his dancing solo where he defies gravity) but there is an element to his performance that screams "I'M TRYING TOO HARD TO ENTERTAIN YOU" and it is hard to ignore. I found it to be really annoying, particularly in the "Good Morning" segment, which in and of itself, was a terribly silly concept and situation. Not a funny silly either--more of a preposterous silly.
I don't think a film like this could be redone, and I don't think it is supposed to be. It is just one of those films you are supposed to see because it represents a certain time in American film history, and it can be appreciated for some of the things it is missing. Hard work was definitely not one of them.