There is a charm to see a story unfold along with music and dance
A narration on-screen is a beautiful rendition of a tale that comes alive through characters and the emotions portrayed. While these movies are all about drama and getting the story out, some musicals bring music with the plot along with a tale. Often set in the genre of hopeless romantic, they are a colourful package of dance, music, emotions, melody, and humour. There is not just the expression or the storyline to keep one’s focus on, but the peppy and unique dance forms and music that grab the audiences’ attention. Here are a few Hollywood musicals that one must watch for some fun.
An American In Paris
This 1951 musical comedy film was inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition An American in Paris by George Gershwin. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the music is by George Gershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira. While the story of the film revolves around American World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan, played by Gene Kelly, who is in Paris trying to make it as a painter.
Been So Long
This2018 musical film by director Tinge Krishnan is based on the same name premiered at the Young Vic in 2009. Even this narration was itself based on the 1998 play of the same name. The musical revolves around Simone, a single mother who meets and falls in love with a handsome stranger called Raymond. Keeping the music around this love story, the film poses is something like this - Can Simone loosen her heart to let someone get close to her? does Raymond, on parole from prison, deserve her trust?
The Sound of Music
A 1965 musical drama by director Robert Wise stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, among others. This film is an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical book of the same name by Lindsay and Crouse, which was based on the 1949 memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp. Set in 1938, the film is about a young Austrian postulant in Austria living in a villa of a widower retired naval officer and his seven children.
Pitch Perfect
This 2012 teenager musical comedy film comes with an ensemble cast that includes Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Elizabeth Banks, and Brittany Snow. The story revolves around Barden University's all-girl group, The Barden Bellas, preparing to compete against another group. It is also said to be loosely adapted from Mickey Rapkin's non-fiction book, Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate a Cappella Glory.
A few other musicals are Grease and In the Heights.
