An American in Paris 美国人在巴黎 英语影评

Triple threat Gene Kelly acts, sings, and dances beautifully in this eye-catching musical laced with Gershwin songs and gorgeous dance numbers. The song-and-dance segments are the main appeal of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS particularly Gershwin's 17-minute title piece, accompanied by a lengthy ballet built around the main characters.

It's a knockout, and a good thing, too, because the plot is nothing to write home about. Jerry Mulligan (Kelly) is a former WWII soldier who stayed in Paris after the war ended to pursue his love of painting. A wealthy divorcee (Nina Foch) has offered to be his patron, though it's clear she's really interested more in Jerry himself than his work. Meanwhile, Jerry has fallen for a pretty French dancer (Leslie Caron, in her screen debut), and is having trouble choosing between financial security and passion.

The characters are silly, duplicitous, and grasping, and resemble nothing so much as cardboard cutouts meant to push a plot along in between musical numbers. But what does it matter, when the songs are so delicious (particularly "S'Wonderful" and "I Got Rhythm") and the dancing so infectious? Lavish sets, gorgeous costumes, great music -- this one's a feast for the eyes and ears, not for the brain.

Fans might also like other classic musicals like Singin' in the Rain, or On the Town, or other postcards from Paris like Gigi or Amelie.