Swing Time
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Movie Reviews of Swing Time
Movie Review: Delightful
Summary: 5 Stars
Swing Time is lots of fun, with singing, dancing, and romance. The picture/sound quality is quite good for this old of movie. The film is clean but not squeaky (low cut dress, a mouthed profanity).Movie Review: The Best
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my favorite Fred and Ginger movie, great dancing, great story-line, the best song Fred ever sang (The Way You Look Tonight), and very funny.Movie Review: Sometimes Romance is just Romance
Summary: 4 Stars
Having an MFA in creative writing and having done the screen play thing a few times, I am trained to deal with issues like realism, suspension of reality, and plot. Thank goodness there are movies like Swing Time where I can throw away all that criticism, kick back and enjoy myself.
This is a real movie, a picture, not "cinema" or "film." We know what this is going to be about Fred meets Ginger, Ginger don't like Fred, Fred wants Ginger, Ginger don't want Fred, and, eventually, Ginger wants Fred. In the meantime, they will dance and sing, and Ginger will look very good, and Fred will appear like someone who doesn't know there is a depression on.
I don't wouldnt worry about plot lag or whatever. This is fun. The two side kicks in this movie provide great repartee while Fred and Ginger dance and sing. No one can possibly believe the plot, and no one has to believe it. We know that Fred can't gamble his way from a quarter to big bucks in a few days. We known a good dance at a dancing school doesn't lead to a tryout at a night club. We don't care about those details; we care about the storm and drang, the push and pull of wanting love, almost getting it, wanting it more, and getting it in the last reel.
Of course, to hear Fred sing "The Way You Look Tonight" and "A Fine Romance" and then realize that this is the first time those classics were performed can leave you glowing.
Curiously, although like most Astaire-Rogers films this is pure escapism from the realities of the depression, there are a few depression references, and even what might even be seen as "class struggle" attitudes in this picture. Fred actually hops a freight train, to be be sure in top hat, morning coat, and a flower in his coat, with none of that gets rumpled in the least. Later Fred and his buddy picket Ginger Roger's apartment for his being "unfair." When Ginger's roomate lets them in she greets them with "welcome comrades."
So despite the list of books on plot and dramaturgy lining my bookcase, I just set back, have a sip of the old vino, and enjoy this delightful fun romance. Believeable or not, romance is just romance!
Movie Review: Intricate and Advanced Dance Routines (DVD Review)
Summary: 4 Stars
Swing Time probably has the most intricate and advanced dance routines out of all the Fred & Ginger (F&G) movies. Even though the song, "The Way You Look Tonight" is wonderful, I would like to have seen them dance to it instead of watching Ginger with a hair full of whip cream. The running commentary by John Mueller sounds very clinical. Speaking in an almost monotone voice as if reading from his book, he does give interesting tidbits, such as converting any monetary amounts mentioned in the movie into today's dollars to give you a sense of the magnitude of a given situation. Mr. Mueller also points out that F&G are never seen kissing, because the on-screen romance is instead expressed through their dancing.
In the featurette "The Swing of Things" Broadway choreographers and performers demonstrate and comment on F&G's signature hopping step shown throughout the movie. Each dance number is analyzed and appreciated. Interviews with archivists and film historians with a mix of F&G photographs and film clips are included. (Run time 14:47)
In the musical short "Hotel a la Swing" a group of performers are unable to pay their hotel bill and make a deal with the owner to run the hotel and make it a fun place to check in. Lots of song and dance numbers. No F&G in this short but consistent with the era. (B&W, 1937, Run time 14:47)
In the Merrie Melodies cartoon, "Bingo Crosbyana" a community of flies enjoys singing and dancing until a spider attacks. The main fly does sound like Bing. (1936, Run time 7:54)
Theatrical Trailer (Run time 2:38)
Movie Review: Not a fan of dance or musicals, but.....
Summary: 4 Stars
I can count on one hand the number of musicals and/or dance films I've truly enjoyed. "Swing Time" almost runs me out of fingers, however. It takes awhile to really get up a head of steam, even still; the plot is as thin as a silk scarf in the early part of the film, but I defy anyone to not have a great time with the second half of the picture. The remarkable Bojangles dance number is too right for words, and the talents of director George Stevens were just right for the non-musical moments; Fred & Ginger's first kiss in this film, for example, is staged and played out perfectly. Lots of fun, lots of laughs, and excellent music, without those phony Hollywood musical "why are they singing?!" moments. It works!