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Connor Macgregor Reviews...Singin In The Rain
INTRO: One of the seminal classics of its era and one of the most famous movie musicals ever made. No doubt a true Hollywood classic.
SUMMARY: 1927 Hollywood. Monumental Pictures' biggest stars, glamorous on-screen couple Lina Lamont and Don Lockwood, are also an off-screen couple if the trade papers and gossip columns are to be believed. Both perpetuate the public perception if only to please their adoring fans and bring people into the movie theaters. In reality, Don barely tolerates her, while Lina, despite thinking Don beneath her, simplemindedly believes what she sees on screen in order to bolster her own stardom and sense of self-importance. R.F. Simpson, Monumental's head, dismisses what he thinks is a flash in the pan: talking pictures. It isn't until The Jazz Singer (1927) becomes a bona fide hit which results in all the movie theaters installing sound equipment that R.F. knows Monumental, most specifically in the form of Don and Lina, have to jump on the talking picture bandwagon, despite no one at the studio knowing anything about the technology. Musician Cosmo Brown, Don's best friend, gets hired as Monumental's ideas man and musical director. And by this time, Don has secretly started dating Kathy Selden, a chorus girl who is trying to make it big in pictures herself. Don and Kathy's relationship is despite their less than friendly initial meeting. Cosmo and Kathy help Don, who had worked his way up through the movie ranks to stardom, try make the leap to talking picture stardom, with Kathy following along the way. However, they have to overcome the technological issues. But the bigger problem is Lina, who will do anything to ensure she also makes the successful leap into talking pictures, despite her own inabilities and at anyone and everyone else's expense if they get in her way, especially Kathy as Don's off screen girlfriend and possibly his new talking picture leading lady.
REVIEW: Seeing Singin In The Rain became a bit of a happy accident in that I never intended to see it straight away, yet was always waiting to be seen. It feels like a film you can’t help but naturally be drawn into. A wholesome and fun story of Old Hollywood and the debut of sound into the then silent film industry. It’s funny and cheeky in its telling, delivering iconic songs that have lasted up to today’s era, equipped also with a colourful and gorgeous cinematography that only ages like a fine wine with each passing day. The songs work and power the film in such a timeless and elegant way, and the story itself feels fulfilling and like a majestic journey whilst at the same time having dollops of romance and comedy for its characters.
OVERALL: Singin In The Rain is a timeless musical classic with iconic songs and shots and a wholesome story about change and true talent being unearthed for the world to see. Gotta Dance!!!
RATING: 100% - A+