If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

We've been fans of MGM musicals for many years, but somehow we never got around to watching this. I'm afraid we were left wondering what went wrong, as it is a long way from MGM's best. The first half hour contains a far-too-long (and not very good) dance sequence and a lot of poor dialogue. Then the film sinks into a rather sour flavour and the second-rate song and dance routines do little to lift the mood. The stand-out segment (sadly much too short) is Kelly's 'I like Myself' on roller skates, which is a classic warm & happy MGM number with glorious, flowing music and lush orchestration. There is a happy ending, but not before a rather depressing TV show scene. I think this story would have been far better as a non-musical drama, as the bitter taste and social comment does not lend itself to the classic MGM musical style. It pains me to give MGM such a low score, but it's a 4 from me.

The film begins with three very obnoxious soldiers in a bar. They are celebrating because the war is over and they are all about to go home. However, before they go, these lifelong friends vow to reunite in 10 years.Ten years pass. Doug (Dan Dailey) has NOT become a great bohemian painter but a very stodgy business with a busted marriage. Ted (Gene Kelly) did NOT marry the girl of his dreams but is a gambler and boxing promoter who has contempt for women. And, the most innocent of the three, Angie (Michael Kidd), is pretty happy--owning a burger joint and having a wife and kids. But, what they really discover about each other is that they have nothing in common and don't even like each other any more. And, in some cases, they also see that they don't even like themselves. Fortunately, through the course of the film this meeting ends up changing Ted and Doug for the better. And, it also provides a very strange opportunity to redo this reunion.Considering this film stars Dan Dailey and Gene Kelly, it's not surprising that it's a musical. As for Michael Kidd, most folks won't even recognize him but he was also an exceptional dancer. I honestly think the reason the studio picked this unknown guy was entirely because Frank Sinatra couldn't be in the film, so the producer found the actor who looked the most like Sinatra as possible. To heighten it, they also dressed Kidd like Sinatra and had him imitate his style. Kidd was fine in the film, but they really did NOT need to do this.So is it any good? Well, yes and no. As for the songs, some were absolutely hilarious--which is a shame, as apparently no one went to see the film when it came out in 1955. I loved the song where the three guys sang inside their heads about how much they hated their 'friends' when they reunited! It was hilarious. I also loved the surreal song and dance number in the gym. The song's lyrics were great but it was also great how cute these palookas were! You just have to laugh when they sing and behave so gentlemanly. But, on the other hand, a lot of the other songs fell a bit flat. The story itself was original but it also suffered, a bit, because at first it was very tough to like two of the three leading men--they WERE jerks. But, at least they changed! Plus, it also had a nice sense of humor that picked it up a bit--such as the ultra-horrible TV host! She was a hoot. I also was amazed seeing Kelly dancing on roller skates!! Wow...and a far cry from his embarrassing roller skating in "Xanadu". So overall, is it worth seeing? Well, if you like musicals, of course. If not, you might want to try another one first. Of course, even if you don't like musicals, you might want to see it so you can get a glimpse of Cyd Charisse in a sweater!

"It's Always Fair Weather" is based on three GI's who are returning home after WWII. After everything that they have gone through, the three friends are certain that they will remain friends forever. Before going on their merry ways, they promise to reunite in ten years at the exact bar that they are at. The bartender who works there disagrees and comments that they won't even remember each other and a bet is made. Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly present a great montage sequence following this scene. The montage highlights the important events during this time and I was able to see how each character differed from the others. I really enjoyed the dance sequences and thought that all three actors did a great job throughout the film. I've never really invested enough time into musicals so I'm not able to compare it too specifically, but it did remind me of 'Singing in the Rain.' It was a playful musical that was easy to like. I thought Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, and Michael Kidd did a great job on acting. I thought Gene Kelly did a fabulous job on the dancing. I noticed that there were some references to television at the time, and it's competition with film. I found it funny that it poked fun at the television industry, I thought that was really interesting. I do think that the musical was too easy to follow and rather predictable. It wasn't hard for me to keep focused, but I wish that it hasn't so simple. I liked that there was a nice balance between dancing and the singing, it wasn't overbearing. Overall, this musical was enjoyable and entertaining, but not excellent. It was a bit too simple for me. If you aren't too familiar with musicals however, I do recommend seeing this because there is the perfect amount of dancing and singing without getting obnoxious.

When I first watched "It's always fair weather" I expected it to be another 1950's typical Hollywood musical, and in some sense I was correct. Not being musically gifted myself, I find it hard to sit through an hour watching someone else sing, if I wanted that I would go to the opera. I don't mind musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, or Charlie and the Chocolate factory, since I've never had the chance or the inclination to watch "Singing in the Rain" I really can't compare performances. In the movie, three soldiers returning from World War II, promise to meet up in their favorite bar, ten years down the road. Ignoring the bartenders scoffs, that they will never remember, they make a pact… each vowing to return with their dreams played out. Ten years pass, and the waited day arrives, only one of the three seems to have remembered, the other two through a series of luck, happen to be in the city that exact day, and head to the bar. It seems to me that the one who purposely came back, may have remembered because he wanted to show his two friends, that he, in his simple married life, has everything he ever dreamed of. His two friends, who had forgotten about the meeting, may have subliminally been making the decision not to show up, since their life was not the way they had hoped it would be ten years ago. The show also seems to project the fear that Hollywood had of television in the early half of the twentieth century, portraying the television show (on which the friends are going to be reunited) as a frivolous show, headed by a bunch of money/publicity hungry people. Quite like Hollywood at the same time, if truth be told. This portrayal shows how Hollywood felt threatened by the emergence of television and television show.