Film Review:
I have never seen a film quite like this one as it isn't just a compilation film with lots of highlights strung together, it's more of a documentary and a eulogy. From watching this film, I understand that there will never be musicals again like the ones witnessed in this film as there isn't the budgets as well as several stars all in the same place at once. Similarly the musicals shown portray a meaningful message to the audience, I feel as though modern musicals today fail to add meaning or context in the same way traditional ones do as there was the notion that musicals had to be 'important'.
One of my favourite sequences was the closing ballet from An American in Paris due to the impeccable dance routine and fascinating footwork which was almost hypnotizing to watch. I believe that the dream ballet sequence reflects the fantasy world that Jerry lives in and how he wants to become an artist however in reality, he is lacking- he avoids this by putting himself in the masterpiece of others. The movie's fun from beginning to end. It's a celebration of a time and place in American movie history when everything came together to make a new art form. It also gives you the opportunity to hear about careers and see parts of movies you wouldn't normally watch.
However, it also reminds the audience of the power that studios had over its stars. It talks about Judy Garland and all her happy times at the studio in the 70s without even mentioning her downfall. Even after so much negative press about its system, MGM still has the power to demonstrate to the audience how much fun they had shooting these musicals. Therefore I also believe this film to be a portrayal of propaganda and therefore needs to be watched and considered carefully.
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