6) Singin’ in the Rain
I always think I don’t like musicals and then I see a musical and love it and think “well that’s the exception to the rule that musicals are bad.” Except this happens all the time. So I don’t know what to make of it. But Singin’ in the Rain was possibly the most unexpectedly enjoyable musical, perhaps movie, I’ve ever watched. Now, it is unlike the other films in this list since it wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, though it did receive a Best Supporting Actress win. Having watched it, this seems like one of the most bizarre oversights in Academy history.
It has a charm to it that’s similar to The Artist, so maybe that movie’s win was to make up for this one. From the opening scene, Singin’ in the Rain establishes a tone that is uniquely its own, a combination of absurdity and satirical jabs at Hollywood figures, the vapidity of stardom, and the desperation of the rich and famous. This combines with Gene Kelly’s charisma, which you want to resist because he seems way too smooth at first but then before you know it you’re looking up tap dancing lessons online. I don’t even want to know what won Best Picture for that year because it will just make me angry.
Published: Feb 22, 2013 04:00 pm