Best Picture of 1951: An American in Paris

"Who can ask for anything more"? That is the question that I am asking when it comes to this movie. Reason I am asking? This movie has everything that you can ever ask for in a film! The Music, the scenery, the acting, Gene Kelly's thighs..... I digress..... The winner of the 24th Academy Awards is none other than that masterpiece known as An American in Paris. 

The story follows the WWII veteran Jerry Mulligan who fell in love with the city of Paris during his station there. Once the war was over he decided to stay and pursue the life as an artist. Despite being basically broke, Jerry is very happy with his life. He has great friends, a good place to live, and he loves to entertain the kids in his neighborhood by teaching them English and giving the bubble gum. It is not until a wealthy society woman falls in love with his work, and him, does he start to see some success in his career. Not only does this woman, Milo Roberts, introduce him his new success but to the girl he truly falls in love with, Lise Bourvier. As proven in every movie ever, nothing can be easy. Lise is seeing a famous singer named Henri Baurel, who befriends Jerry shortly before Jerry and Lise meet. Soon, as movies goes, a love triangle is formed and we are whisked away to a hysterically wonderful, and colorful world that is Paris and the American that decides to call it home.  

Not only was this film a joy to watch it is a joy to learn about. No, this film does not hold any crazy nomination records, nor is it one of the first films people think about when you thing "Best Picture", but man does this movie sure have heart! Not only is this one of the handful of musicals to win the Best Picture Award but was the second picture in Oscar's history to be a film shot in color. The first, or course being Gone with the Wind. This film received six wins out of eight nominations at the Academy Awards, and Kelly was given an honorary award for his "Versatility as an actor, singer, director, and dancer. The film landed on number 68 on AFI's 100 Years of Movies list in 1998, and number 9 on AFI's Greatest Musical List in 2006. As top honor's An American in Paris was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry in 1993. 

This is one of those films that I forget just how great it is every time I watch it. I have seen it several times but, for whatever reason, it's not one of the first movies that I think of when I think of Gene Kelly. I think in the context of which I am experiencing this movie this time around I will not soon forget this film again. I think this will have to be viewed much more often then once in a while. For those who have never seen the film, you will never be disappointed.