In a side column in a recent issue of the New Yorker, David Denby wrote: Those who were charmed by The Artist should see the real thing: "Singin' in the Rain," the great American movie musical about the transition from talkies to sound...The movie chronicles Hollywood's misadventures with early recording techniques, but does so with carefree gaiety and confidence — confidence in music and dance and in a specifically American style of impudent wit."
Yes, the American film is still robust, fun to watch —despite shortcomings such as the mismatches in age between Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor, his two costars, who are supposed to be about the same age. The singing and the dancing is contagious, energizing, and plain fun. Jean Hagen's character, Lina Lamont, still holds up, she with her screechy little voice and street pronunciation (cain't stend it).
The Artist I found difficult to enjoy. It dragged. Contemporary taste is highly favorable for it. Then again, in Rotten Tomatoes Singin' in the rain gets even higher numbers: 100-91 v. 98-90. In the end, I did enjoy it, but Singin' is better. O, and Cyd Charisse.
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