Sure, the plot is silly, but you can say the same thing about most operas and a few Shakespeare plays. Astaire and Rogers have great chemistry onscreen, and this has just possibly the best dancing that Hollywood ever put on celluloid
I'm going to go ahead and say the Astaire and Rogers classic, Swing Time, is overrated. Really, it's only real showstopper is the technically-difficult shadow dance in the Mr. Bojangles, but that's been severely compromised by being an extended blackface sequence that leads into the emotional turning point of the film where you're consistently distracted by thoughts of "when is he gonna wipe it OFF?!". Generally, the songs are better than the dancing in this one. "The Way You Look Tonight" has rightfully become a standard, and there's a lot of fun to be had with "A Fine Romance" and "Never Gonna Dance". However, after a perfectly amusing dance school number with the always well-matched Astaire and Rogers, the movie builds up tension as to whether they can dance in public (because of a jealous boyfriend as band leader) and then gives us... just about the same thing we just saw. As for a romcom plot, the (rom) characters are more fickle than usual, and a little of the (com) character played by Victor Moore goes a long way, but it's fine. I just can't get more exciting than that.
@tippaty Maybe the very final scene is a little weak, but at that point I was still in awe at the beauty/genius of the Never Gonna Dance number. That song has to be one of the best scenes I've seen in a film.
The most adorable and most offensive of the Fred Astaire movies I've seen! Despite some glaring downfalls, this is definitely my favorite; Ginger and Fred's romance is so humorous and the songs are beautiful. Also, most of the humor is timeless and I had a huge grin on my face most of the way through!
WARNING: There's a scene with Fred Astaire in blackface and this movie also has a TERRIBLE ending. Don't let those aspects ruin the experience because overall it is quite wonderful!!
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Duke of Omnium
Sure, the plot is silly, but you can say the same thing about most operas and a few Shakespeare plays. Astaire and Rogers have great chemistry onscreen, and this has just possibly the best dancing that Hollywood ever put on celluloidAlias
The best way movies have ever represented heaven is by the dancing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers.greenhorg
Ricky took the coldest rejection of all time with some ... implausible grace.Am I the only one getting a weird Joaquin Phoenix vibe from Pop?
crazy_bitch
It's nice.Scream1008
A little too goofy for me...Siskoid
I'm going to go ahead and say the Astaire and Rogers classic, Swing Time, is overrated. Really, it's only real showstopper is the technically-difficult shadow dance in the Mr. Bojangles, but that's been severely compromised by being an extended blackface sequence that leads into the emotional turning point of the film where you're consistently distracted by thoughts of "when is he gonna wipe it OFF?!". Generally, the songs are better than the dancing in this one. "The Way You Look Tonight" has rightfully become a standard, and there's a lot of fun to be had with "A Fine Romance" and "Never Gonna Dance". However, after a perfectly amusing dance school number with the always well-matched Astaire and Rogers, the movie builds up tension as to whether they can dance in public (because of a jealous boyfriend as band leader) and then gives us... just about the same thing we just saw. As for a romcom plot, the (rom) characters are more fickle than usual, and a little of the (com) character played by Victor Moore goes a long way, but it's fine. I just can't get more exciting than that.MandrewV
@tippaty Maybe the very final scene is a little weak, but at that point I was still in awe at the beauty/genius of the Never Gonna Dance number. That song has to be one of the best scenes I've seen in a film.daisyaday
Check out "Hotel a la Swing" under "Special Features" on the dvd.Adrian B AWESOME
The blackface, even as a tribute, is really hard to ignore and makes it harder to recommend to most modern audiences.John Milton
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22cktj_swing-time_shortfilmsEmiam
Masterpiece?Very good music & dancing, yes!
6/10
tippaty
The most adorable and most offensive of the Fred Astaire movies I've seen! Despite some glaring downfalls, this is definitely my favorite; Ginger and Fred's romance is so humorous and the songs are beautiful. Also, most of the humor is timeless and I had a huge grin on my face most of the way through!WARNING: There's a scene with Fred Astaire in blackface and this movie also has a TERRIBLE ending. Don't let those aspects ruin the experience because overall it is quite wonderful!!
browniemcfi
timeless and lovely movie, one that reminds me of my childhood when I first got interested in Fred and GingerMilenaFlaherty
Personal note: checked the day I joined icm, not 12/18