Because there is no better time than Christmas to take on humming with the family, here are five musicals from different eras and styles likely to bring young and old together in front of a screen. The subscription offer being rather limited, it will be necessary to resolve to rent most of these titles on VOD platforms. Let the show begin !
“Let’s sing in the rain”: the madeleine of all madeleines
To all lord, all honor, and the youngsters who have not yet seen Let’s sing in the rain are very lucky. Take advantage of the holidays to rent the classic of classics from the golden age of American musical comedy, adjust your screen well (pay attention to the colorimetry!), pop the popcorn and let the tweens (no less than 10- 11 years old, at the risk of barbering them, especially since it is absolutely necessary to restrict oneself to the VO) discover the grimaces of Donald O’Connor, the legs of Cyd Charisse, the voice of Debbie Reynolds and the grace of Gene Kelly. Explain to them the end of silent cinema, show them what a sequence shot is, because Let’s sing in the rain is as much a musical as a lesson in cinema. With a bit of luck, they will come out transformed and will want more.
Film directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly. With Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Cyd Charisse (United States, 1952, 103 min). Available for rental on most VOD platforms.
“West Side Story”: one subject, two great films
Another classic, which this time has the advantage of being visible in two versions, just to see the path traveled in sixty years: from 1961, date of the film adaptation of Jerome Robbins’ musical comedy, to its impressive remake by Steven Spielberg, released in 2021. Urban variation on the theme of the loves of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story registered at the time the musical in modernity by choreographing the fight of the Jets against the Sharks. Whether it’s the original or the remake, there’s no better way to show young people how to go on screen from walking to dancing, and from talking to singing thanks to the magic of staging. A little lighter, the original is accessible to children from 8-9 years old. For the Spielberg, it is better to wait until the young spectators have reached the double figures, they will benefit more.
Film directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. With Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris (United States, 1961, 152 min).
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