Funny and iconic

Rating: 9/10 (13 September 2014)

It's 1920s silent movie era Hollywood. Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) and Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) are the biggest stars of Monumental Pictures. Their public persona is a loving couple but in reality, he hates her and can't get rid of the clingy Lina. Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) is his piano playing childhood friend. Don meets Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) as he jumps into her car getting away from adoring fans. They meet again when she jumps out of a cake at a company party. Monumental's boss R.F. Simpson (Millard Mitchell) is blindsided by the success of talking picture "The Jazz Singer" and he tries to jump start his entry with Don and Lina. Cosmo Brown becomes the new music director. It's a struggle to do something new and worst of all, it's a struggle for the self-obsessed and delusional Lina with the horrible voice. The first attempt ends in a laughable disaster. The trio decides to change it into a musical with Kathy dubbing for Lina.
The moment that Jean Hagen starts talking is the most hilarious thing. She's a real gut buster. Gene Kelly is a cad and a very likable one. Donald O'Connor is solid in being the nice guy second fiddle. His dancing is so energetic. Debbie Reynolds is completely adorable. The songs are incredible and so catchy. The dancing is iconic. Most importantly, the story is actually funny and compelling. For all the pain and tears shed, this movie is worth every praise it gets.