An American in Paris

An American in Paris
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
USA, 1951
Cornerhouse, 11 April 2010

Love blossoms big-time in Minnelle’s classic musical.

Sure, the story is not especially original (boy meets girl, etc.) but the music is by the Gershwins (including the wonderful ‘S Wonderful) and the dance sequences are sumptuous and stunning.  Here, Gene Kelly comes into his own – and especially is this true of the climactic dance at the end.

Dances are most likely to be fantasies, feats of fancy, daydreams in Minnelle’s world.  Still, when Kelly’s pianist friend imagines a theatre where he is playing the piano, conducting the orchestra, applauding from the balcony… the effect is uber-creepy.

Those two lovers walk away, arm in arm.  Very happy ending, for them.  But what of those left behind.  Does the pianist succumb to drink?  (We know he’s partial to the bottle.)  Does Kelly’s patron now seek out another young artist, trying all the time to evade loneliness and old age?

An American in Paris is showing at Cornerhouse on Wednesday.  Details here.