Singin in the Rain and Jane Feuer
I found it interesting that this was generally seen as a movie about romance and light-hearted song and dance when it seems to criticize the Hollywood system of the time, and by proxy, most of its viewers. It critiques the general dishonesty of the industry whilst contributing to it in some ways as well. It feeds into all of the myths of amatuerism because "amateur entertainers...can't exploit us, because they are us" (Feuer 13). However, it acknowledges the way in which lies and exploitation occur and are encouraged. Most of the comedy comes from this contradiction.
I'm writing this post after seeing Raging Bull, and I think many of Jane Feuer's observations apply effectively to both that film and Singin in the Rain. She writes extensively about non-choreography, which provides an alignment with the more natural folk art that audiences were used to. Non-choreography is so inherent in production, even in New Hollywood, elements on non-choreography were implemented in fight scenes to capture an audience used to the intensity of TV reports. The audience of Singin in the Rain was accustomed to more intimate, participative acts, but in a less way that was not yet mediated by a screen.
Found this particularly interesting because I had read that Scorsese used a book on dance choreography for the fight scenes because he knew almost nothing about boxing.
ReplyDeleteI think the film also uses the proscenium/backstage distinction is used well in the film as well. I think boxing has more in common with dancing than most people think. It revolves around a series of choreographed moves. The only difference is that the other fighter doesnt know what moves you will make.
ReplyDelete