Overview
A vibrant musical romance set against the enchanting backdrop of Paris, where love and art intertwine.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- glamorous
- wistful
- classic movie night
- romantic evening
What critics said
Critics broadly celebrate the film's Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron performances, Gershwin score, visual richness, and climactic ballet, while noting its slight story and conventional plotting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film culminates in a lengthy ballet sequence that transforms romantic emotion into elaborate choreographed imagery.
Paris functions as a glowing artistic backdrop of cafés, studios, streets, and dance spaces for Jerry and Lise's courtship.
Jerry's struggle to establish himself as a painter parallels his pursuit of Lise and structures his identity in Paris.
Oscar Levant's Adam Cook provides sardonic musical commentary and comic counterpoint to Jerry's romantic optimism.
Films like An American in Paris, and why
Singin' in the Rain
lush studio musical combining romantic entanglements, sophisticated choreography, and buoyant comedy
The Red Shoes
romantic musical built around dance, theatrical spectacle, and emotionally conflicted lovers
Gigi
stylized Paris-set romance with lavish musical numbers and an idealized European atmosphere
Top Hat
classic Hollywood musical pairing witty friendship with romantic longing and elaborate dance performance
Movie Details
- Director
- Vincente Minnelli
- Release Date
- 1951-09-26
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (675)
Cast
- Gene Kelly
- Leslie Caron
- Oscar Levant
- Georges Guétary
- Nina Foch
- Robert Ames
- Joan Anderson
- Larry Arnold
- Martha Bamattre
- Charles Bastin
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- TCM
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is An American in Paris about?
- A struggling American painter finds artistic possibility and romantic complications amid the dazzling musical life of postwar Paris.
- What is An American in Paris like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of An American in Paris as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is An American in Paris violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in An American in Paris.
- What did critics think of An American in Paris?
- Critics broadly celebrate the film's Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron performances, Gershwin score, visual richness, and climactic ballet, while noting its slight story and conventional plotting.
- Which films are like An American in Paris?
- Films with a similar feel include Singin' in the Rain, The Red Shoes, Gigi, and Top Hat.
- How long is An American in Paris?
- An American in Paris runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch An American in Paris?
- In United States, An American in Paris streams on TCM.
