Singin' in the Rain

UK Release Date: 11 December 1952
Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Cast: Cyd Charisse, Douglas Fowley, Jean Hagen, Gene Kelly, Millard Mitchell, Rita Moreno, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds
Runtime: 103 mins
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 
Review:
The collective charm of Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds platform Singin' in the Rain as one of the warmest films to grace the screen. Every line of dialogue uttered by Kelly comes across as a jubilant celebration of the art form. Joyous interactions between Kelly and his scene partners, most notably with O'Connor and their duet performances. 

A heartwarming togetherness that carries over to the musical numbers in Singin' in the Rain. The duos mocking, tap-dance outburst with Moses is a bizarre, rhyming sensation. Adding Debbie Reynolds to Good Morning, the trio struggle to contain their elation and glee when dancing together. Make 'Em Laugh gives O'Connor his own musical gag-reel. Across each performance - a clear sense of inescapable joy that is best personified in Gene Kelly's blissful rendition of the titular Singin' in the Rain. A large grin on every actor's face, as they execute each musical cue, that radiates off the screen. 

Alongside Singin' in the Rain being a gorgeous spectacle. Pink and purple background hues meet vivid reds - deep, saturated colours brought to life through Technicolor. The visual allure of Hollywood backlots being used to play second fiddle to sweeping confessions of love. The draw of the glitz and glamour within Hollywood that manifests itself in a plethora of overwhelmingly bright stage lights and neon signs. 

Singin' in the Rain is staged phenomenally production wise. Simplistic and sparse on-set in Hollywood, bold and brazen when visually replicating Broadway. One of many reasons that Singin' in the Rain has the feel of a monumental film, a magnum opus in sincere filmmaking that has stood the test of time. Creatives technically flaunting that they've mastered the craft of talking pictures 25 years after the release of The Jazz Singer, erupting into song unannounced.

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