Over a week has elapsed since I last wrote, but I have been busy with many films, mainly classics, and will give abbreviated thoughts on each. This will happen in multiple installments.
Up first: Swing Time, an enjoyable Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical (which comes in at number 90 on the most recent AFI Top 100 list), and of the ten films the duo made together, I feel it displays Astaire and Roger's skills and chemistry the best.
I don't understand how anyone cannot be mesmerized with the footwork and choreography. Astaire really was a master, but enough credit cannot be given to Ginger who not only matched Fred step by step but did so in high heels while wearing ridiculously, intricate, beaded gowns. Gorgeous, yes, but I can't imagine she enjoyed dancing in them day after day. Fred plays Lucky, an adorable gambler/dancer, who happens upon Ginger's dance instructress named Penny, and the two form the dancing duo that takes over at a popular nightclub. They sing; they dance; they fall in love. Don't worry: I'm not giving anything away. The film is completely predictable, but still, lots of fun.
Now I know people often take issue with the strangeness of musicals - random bursting into song - but this film handles the transitions very nicely, and the songs are so fantastic! The main theme of the film that is interwoven from scene to scene is "The Way You Look Tonight" which has been recorded by many, many singers and won the Best Original Song Oscar for 1936. One of the film's more interesting scenes is Astaire's number "Bojangles" which he performs in black face. I cannot help but think that audiences today may take offense to the number, but the more you know about Bill Robinson, the more it becomes clear that Astaire is paying tribute to one of his heroes. Granted, he would not be able to get away with such a scene today, especially after Spike Lee's Bamboozled created such a stir, but he's brilliant nonetheless, and one of the most memorable moments occurs during his dance with his shadows. Unbelievable!
Up first: Swing Time, an enjoyable Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical (which comes in at number 90 on the most recent AFI Top 100 list), and of the ten films the duo made together, I feel it displays Astaire and Roger's skills and chemistry the best.
I don't understand how anyone cannot be mesmerized with the footwork and choreography. Astaire really was a master, but enough credit cannot be given to Ginger who not only matched Fred step by step but did so in high heels while wearing ridiculously, intricate, beaded gowns. Gorgeous, yes, but I can't imagine she enjoyed dancing in them day after day. Fred plays Lucky, an adorable gambler/dancer, who happens upon Ginger's dance instructress named Penny, and the two form the dancing duo that takes over at a popular nightclub. They sing; they dance; they fall in love. Don't worry: I'm not giving anything away. The film is completely predictable, but still, lots of fun.
Now I know people often take issue with the strangeness of musicals - random bursting into song - but this film handles the transitions very nicely, and the songs are so fantastic! The main theme of the film that is interwoven from scene to scene is "The Way You Look Tonight" which has been recorded by many, many singers and won the Best Original Song Oscar for 1936. One of the film's more interesting scenes is Astaire's number "Bojangles" which he performs in black face. I cannot help but think that audiences today may take offense to the number, but the more you know about Bill Robinson, the more it becomes clear that Astaire is paying tribute to one of his heroes. Granted, he would not be able to get away with such a scene today, especially after Spike Lee's Bamboozled created such a stir, but he's brilliant nonetheless, and one of the most memorable moments occurs during his dance with his shadows. Unbelievable!
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