50 films | #46

singin’ in the rain by gene kelly & stanley donen

“meet the greatest actor in the world! i’d rather kiss a tarantula!”

the most iconic moment from singin in the rain, is also its most poignant. i was afraid going in that the titular song sequence would be cliched and boring. i’ve seen spoofs of it, i’ve heard the song a hundred times, how much of an effect could it have on me? context means everything. watching that sequence in the context of the rest of the film gave it so much more of an impact. the joy and excitement was palpable. it reminded me of the short scene in on the waterfront, where brando says those infamous words “i could’ve been a contender”.  i don’t know how many times i had heard that line spoofed, or used out of context before seeing the movie.  i knew the line was coming, and i thought it was going to make me laugh. i think i ended up crying. within the context of that movie, and within the context of that scene, that line had so much meaning. it hurt when brando said it.  so seeing gene kelly throw caution to the wind and run around in the rain, so ecstatic about his new love, moved me immensely. i’ve experienced that kind of love and wanted to dance around in the rain with him.

the dancing in this movie is insane. the actors make it look effortless, and the way the dances are incorporated with the action of the film is perfection. there’s not a wasted moment, everything moves the story forward and entertains (except for the broadway ballet dream like sequence, but that’s so gorgeous that well make a pass for it). it’s a movie about making movies, every moment of this film is fun, and the biggest thing i come away with from the film is that it is a joy to make movies.