Gotta Dance!

Rating: 10/10 (7 April 2007)

No matter how big of a stick in the mud you may be, this movie will charm you. It's refreshing to see dance used in such an immaculate way. It's more about what feels good rather than what looks good. Watching Gene Kelly dance is like watching a good surgeon cut, all precision and joy. Jean Regan's egomaniacal whiner is classic as is Donald O' Connor's happy friend and Debbie Reynolds gutsy ingénue. His "Make 'em Laugh", done while a set is going up, over and around the construction, is a sight to see. All the numbers are pure fun, especially the creamy title sequence which captures the euphoria of finding that special person and "Good Morning", which is that perfect morning after number with the coach jump. The movie itself is an effective peck on the cheek of the old films, particularly musicals. This is also the best meta-movie ever made or, at least, the most fun.