ET15 - REWRITE

The 1952 American comedy musical film Singing In The Rain has been accorded legendary status by it's contemporary critics, no small feat by any means. This film is as unabashedly American as apple pie, and I'm sure any American worth his salt has watched this film at least once. Now, I'm not an American, but having watched this film once, I'm glad I had the chance to, because this is truly a great film. ranking right up there in the higher echelons of films with greats such as Citizen Kane and Gone With The Wind. While the plot (A movie within a movie) is undoubtedly a breath of fresh air, it really isn't novel, as it HAS been done before. The main draw, for me, has to be the musical numbers performed in the film. I'm going to talk about 3 of my favorite numbers in the film right here, starting with. . .

Make Em' Laugh

In this number, Donald O'Connor gives, in my opinion, the second best solo performance in the film, coming in second only to Gene Kelly's Singing In The Rain. In the plot, Donald O'Connor sings this song in order to cheer up a very depressed Gene Kelly. In my opinion, the choreography of this dance is an extraordinary homage to the great comics of the silent era like Chaplin and Keaton. The choreography of the dance is timed to perfection with the lyrics of the song, making it doubly funny. However, what struck me most in the song was the frankness and openness displayed by Cosmo. He knows who the real star of the show is, and has fully embraced his role as a sidekick. He doesn't try to be someone he is not. Unlike Don and Kathy, who are not entirely truthful with their identities at first. There was a phrase that struck me as well. " The show must go on". This phrase clearly illustrated the hardships and rigor faced by Hollywood actors that the audience most likely doesn't know of, subtly implying that being an actor isn't all fun and games.

You Were Meant For Me

This romantic number, performed by Kelly, is simply extraordinary. Don, in an effort to "do things right", brings Kathy to a studio with sets such as a balcony, a glorious backdrop and colored lights to serenade her. There is also a noticeable contrast between the now and the then. The first time they met, Kathy hides her affection for Don underneath a veil of indifference and sarcasm, whereas Don, although slightly put off, feels a certain degree of affection for her too, yet he is too proud to admit it. This time however, she has clearly and unashamedly fallen in love with him. He is also heads-over-heels in love with her. Both of them are not making any attempts to hide their love for each other. Don is revealing his true self, buried beneath the multiple personas he had to play on screen. On screen, he is a regal prince. But now, he is just a regular guy, trying to show a girl how much he loves us. For guys like me who have, at some point in their lives, courted a girl, there is real connection right there with Don. While Kathy is hesitant about accepting his love at first, Don, like a gentleman, doesn't pressure her in the least. His nobleness sure paid off then! The emotions displayed on screen are almost palpable, and the sexual tension between them is just sizzling. Even the dance itself, is slow and charged with emotion. It is interesting to note that, this dance wasn't as complicated as the dances in previous numbers. While this may sound a bit cheesy, the flowing movement wasn't so much dancing as the movement of two souls synchronized, one with the other in a moment of almost Zen-like tranquility.The lyrics of the number are simple yet incredibly powerful, and when sung by the talented Kelly, makes it really easy on the ears. In my opinion, this number really moves the plot along by resolving a number of problems, chiefly, by resolving the "girl" and "boy" dilemma, where both are unsure of what the other feels. And last but most definitely not least. . .

Singing In The Rain

Ah, at last. The pièce de résistance of the film. Was the song named after the title? Or the title after the song? The song itself is an enigma. Anyway, the first thing you notice about the song, is how incredibly uplifting the music is, which compliments the previous song (You Were Meant For Me) well, as the song was incredibly emotional. The song itself, manages to capture that child-like wonder we all experience the first time we feel the wonderful rain on our faces. But, the song isn't just about how awesome rain is. It is also about love, that magical moment when you fall in love for the very first time. In fact, this song is, in my opinion, all about firsts and new experiences. The other thing that stands out, is how incredibly happy Don looks while he is singing. It is as though the rain has washed away all his worries and inhibitions, and at that moment, he is no longer an actor nor a dancer nor a singer, he is just Don, doing what he loves the most. In a sense, dancing out in the rain is Don's way of saying, he will do what he thinks is right, without giving a shit about what others might think of him. The song, wonderful though it maybe, ended when he caught sight of a policewoman. The policewoman seems to be a metaphor for the shackles of social norms under which every actor seems to find restricting of their creativity at some point in their career.

My conclusion is, these masterpieces as well as every other number not featured here, were all in the movie for one reason or the other. Every song combined to make the film the legend it now is. This film wouldn't be the same even if one single number were to be taken out. As of today, I'm truly glad I watched this masterpiece of a film and for that matter, I'll make sure my children watch this film at the first chance available as well.