What to say, what to say...

Rating: 9/10 (11 February 2002)

I hadn't seen "The Sound of Music" in years, but my wife wanted to watch it the other night, so we threw it on. I'd forgotten how good it is.
First, I hold a negative bias toward most musicals. Yes, there are exceptions ("Moulin Rouge", "Beauty & the Beast" for example), but most of the time I just get annoyed when the filmmakers stop the story for a little song-and-dance routine, then crank it back up when the musical number's over.
My recollection of "The Sound of Music" was simply of the songs -- but I'd completely forgotten how well the songs work in the narrative. Instead of halting the flow of the story, they actually help carry it along. A pleasant surprise.
And I'd forgotten, too, how well the film steers clear of syrupy cornball territory -- something that could've easily mired it, especially when you consider the time period in which it was made. I appreciated the honesty of it, and the lack of melodrama and overacting you so often find in the films of yesteryear.
The only drawback -- man, I can't stand it when Liesl goes "wheeeeee!" once Rolf runs out of the little gazebo after he's stolen a kiss from her. The punk.