For context, Feel Good Films is a new series of film posts I’m doing. See more here.

I truly, truly adore Singin’ In The Rain. I can’t think of a single movie which left me with such a wide smile from the first scene to the last. Each character oozes charm. The fun is full of innocence and mischief. Every single song is an unforgettable piece which 65 years later holds on through the test of time. It takes you to a different time and a different place and you buy every second of it.

NO-NO-NO. YES-YES-YES

For those of whom haven’t seen the film, SITR focuses on Don Lockwood’s movie career. A star of the day, he and his love interest Kathy Seldon alongside sarcastic goofball Cosmo have to transform themselves from silent movie actors to actors in sound films. The big issue is Lina Lamont, Lockwoods’ co-star and girlfriend for the Tabloids (although she doesn’t accept it to be a sham). Her voice was made for silent film and she isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.

Each character offers something different which is still huge today. Cosmo provides the sarcasm of a Chandler but the optimism of a Joey. Lina has the personality of a Rachel alongside the voice of a Bernadette. Meanwhile, Don and Kathy have such a pure romance. You root for all of them apart from caricature pantomime villain Lamont who you never quite hate, but smile at when she gets her just desert.

The whole thing is like a stage show. We start with a quick rendition of the title chorus from our three protagonists, before going into long takes with songs having barely any cuts in them, making all of the choreography all the more impressive. The tap dancing puts Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone to shame.

The humour around making a sound film is on point. From microphones not picking up lines, to background sounds of necklaces being rattled to sound and picture going out of sync. It is ridiculously funny and brought a tear to my eye.

Ae Cayn Stan Im

And the songs, oh my gosh the songs. You have a bunch of classics. “Make ’em Laugh” is Cosmo’s slapstick piece full of energy and incredible physical humour about being a comedian. “All I do the whole night through” goes from a campy dance song to a romantic ballad. “Good Morning” is a song from our three leads to make you bob along in your seat as you have definitely heard it before. “Moses Supposes” is an energetic lesson in dichotomy with very impressive dance moves and chaos to match.

Then you have Singin’ In The Rain. What a song that is. One of the all time great movie musical moments and with good reason. Seeing Don dance through the rain makes you forget your troubles as it is all written and put together as a bundle of pure happiness.

And the ending… Oh my word. How perfect is it.

The biggest praise I can give it is that I applauded with a smile on my face after watching it at the cinema… As in I actually clapped. Go on to an online shop (Cex/HMV/just not Amazon) and buy it now. You will love it.

FEEL GOOD RATING: 10/10