An American In Paris

Vincente Minnelli, USA, 1951, 113 minutes

Jerry Mulligan (or moul-i-gon to be French about it) is an aspiring artist living in a tiny Parisian garret. His neighbour is promising young pianist Adam (Oscar Levant balancing out the usual musical sincerity with some great comic gloominess). Jerry lives the cliched struggling artist dream until he meets two amazing women: wealthy art patron Milo (Nina Foch in a great but thankless role) and the enigmatic young Lise (Leslie Caron at her most beguiling) and life starts getting complicated...

Gene Kelly is not just our completely charming romantic lead in this fantastic cinematic masterpiece, he's also the film's choreographer (a formidable achievement that doubtless led to his co-director role/credit a year later on Singin' in the Rain). Though best known for its groundbreaking twenty minute finale (which more than lives up to the hype), the whole of An American in Paris is essentially a ballet as Kelly doesn't even know how to breathe without it being a charged, sexy and utterly artful movement. He's exquisite to watch even when not in the midst of the superb Gershwin numbers. In the dance numbers themselves he's simply phenomenal.

Kelly discovered co-star Caron when she was just 15 and he and director Vincente Minnelli give her every opportunity to let her acting but moreover her dancing shine here in her screen debut. Kelly's passion for dance and generosity towards Caron adds to the gentle sensuousness and authenticity of their dances and developing relationship.

Although clearly all filmed on the traditional MGM soundstages this is a spectacular looking film replete with Technicolor brightness and glorious fifties tailoring. Though ballet may seem a traditional art form, An American in Paris revels in the vibrant modern jazz with a great deal of passion, enthusiasm for experimentation and energy underlying even it's most downbeat and cynical of moments.

Romantic, beautiful, funny, unique and - for me anyway - the greatest musical ever made, An American in Paris is an absolute must see.

Review by Nicola Osborne
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2003