an american in paris be a showcase of gene kelly . watch a gene sings and act and dance his way through paris in any number of situation . some purely majestic and others pure corn . one can imagine just what kelly be make of a he make this film only a year before singin in the rain . he be definately one of the all time great . it be interest to look at the parallel between the two film and especially in kelly character and the only main difference be that one be base in paris and the other in l. a. some have say that leslie caron act be less than pure . perhaps cyd charisse and who be originally intend for the role could have do well and however caron be quite believable in the role and have chemistry with kelly . oscar levant short role in this film give it just what it need and someone who doesn not look like gene kelly . fill the role a the everyman isn not an easy task and yet levant do it with as much class a any other lead . the song and dance routine be all perfection . even the overlong ballet at the end of the film make it a well film with it than without . see that there really wasn not much screen time to make such a loving relationship believable and minnelli use this sequence to make it seem a if you would spend four hour with them . ingenious . i would have to rate this film up with singin since it be very similar in story and song . singin would barely get the nod because of debbie reynolds uplifting performance . full recommendation . positive star .