An American in Paris – Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Apr 13, 2009, 17:48 GMT

Synopsis: Winner of six Oscars(R) including Best Picture, this sparkling musical showcases the incomparable Gene Kelly with the lovely Leslie Caron amid the glorious melodies of Gershwin. Director: Vincente Minnelli Actors: Leslie Caron, Gene Kelly Awards: ACADEMY AWARD - BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY ACADEMY AWARD - BEST COSTUME DESIGN ACADEMY AWARD - BEST DIRECTOR ACADEMY AWARD - BEST ORIGINAL STORY ACADEMY AWARD - BEST PICTURE ACADEMY AWARD - BEST SCORE ACADEMY AWARD ...more

Gene Kelly was the tops.  What else can you say?  Astaire may have been graceful, but Kelly was a blue-collar dancer with panache.  An American in Paris was the first U.S. film to use an extended ballet sequence and won best picture as well as five other Oscars.  This new Blu-ray release makes the film leap off your television screen.  

When Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) got out of the army after the war he decided to set up stakes in gay Paree.  He lives in a cramped apartment and tries to peddle his paintings on the street by day.  He’s not the only American expatriate who’s trying to make it big in the city of lights as composer Adam Cook (Oscar Levant) is trying to hit the big time and also lives in Jerry’s building. 

They’re both friends with musical hall entertainer Henri Baurel (Georges Guétary) who they helped out during the war.  The three take coffee in the corner café.  One day Jerry is approached by Milo Roberts (Nina Foch) who offers Jerry an opportunity to get under the wing of the rich society woman. 

At first he’s offended that she wants him to be a kept man, but he gradually warms to her support.  On an outing with her he happens upon Lise (Leslie Caron) and its love at first sight.  What Jerry doesn’t know is that Lise is the fiancé of Henri.  She feels obligated to marry Henri since he saved her family during the war.  Jerry begins to court Lise, all the while unaware that he’s trying to steal away his friend’s girl. 

Milo is also trying to court Jerry, but he’s so obsessed with Lise that he doesn’t notice Milo’s advances.  Love will play its way out in the art district of Paree as our characters dance their way through the various relationships.  

I guess I’m a pretty terrible film fan.  I’ve never seen An American in Paris.  I’ve been aware of Gene Kelly, mainly in Singing in the Rain – which I have seen, but I’ve not sought out much of his performances.  That may change though as I was enamored with the film, especially the dance numbers.  The drama might be a bit iffy. 

For one thing Leslie Caron, though exquisite, is roughly half the age of Kelly and their onscreen love affair might seem a bit icky.  I kept wishing that he’d kept more in his own age range and seriously switched to Nina Foch.  I guess it may be worse in that Caron’s character is supposed to be marrying the much older (via makeup) Henri Baurel though.  I guess if I was going to have a first exposure to An American in Paris it was good that it was with this Blu-ray transfer.  The disc is breathtaking. 

The opening sequence has Kelly staring into your living room.  The detail on a self portrait sketch that Jerry did in charcoal also makes it leap off the screen.  I nearly shed a tear as he takes a cloth and rubs it out.  I also found it amusing that the American never really steps foot into Paris since the film was shot on Hollywood sets and not in France. 

An American in Paris was a shock Oscar winner as it was deemed to not have a chance for Best Picture at the ceremony as the frothy musical was up against some dramatic competition.  However, it went on to win and took home statues in the categories of art, best cinematography, costume design, musical score, and screenplay. 

The score is composed of tunes from the Gershwin catalog and features some fine songs, so it was pretty much a shoe-in in that category.  It’s the first American film to have an extended ballet sequence on film; the other contender was the British film the Red Shoes.  It’s a fantastic film made to shine brighter on the Blu-ray format.  See Paris and die.  

An American in Paris is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (1.33:1).  The transfer may be stunning but there’s also a delightful cavalcade of special features.  First up is a commentary hosted by Kelly’s widow Patricia and features vintage audio from Kelly, director Vincent Minelli, producer Arthur Freed, Nina Foch, Leslie Caron, and a host of others. 

The 42 minute “S’Wonderful” looks at the making of the film and is in high definition.  You also get the 4 minute theatrical trailer in high def.  The remainder of the special features are in standard definition.  The 90 minute “Anatomy of a Dancer” is a PBS documentary that highlights Kelly’s career and made me want to rent some of the films featured. 

The 9 minute “Paris on Parade” is a newsreel about the 1937 Paris Exhibition.  The 7 minute “Symphony in Slang” is a Tex Avery cartoon.  The 3 minute “Love Walked In” is an outtake featuring Georges Guetary and Oscar Levant.  Finally there are 15 minutes of audio outtakes and 14 minutes of radio interviews.  

S’Wonderful is right and made even more wonderful in a beautifully restored transfer.  The age difference in the stars might be a bit odd at first, but it’s the delightful dancing and set pieces of Paris that will keep you booking a return to see Kelly do his soft shoe.  

An American in Paris [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon. Visit the DVD database for more information.