Curly-27

I recently saw this movie after adoring Gene Kelly's musicals since I was a kid. It is quite a departure of what I'm used to seeing him in, but still wonderful. This is pretty standard fare for Natalie Wood, but it is a rare treat to see Gene Kelly in a dramatic role. After reading his biography, it is a sad irony that his character somewhat mirrored what was happening in Gene Kelly's personal life, in that his days of glory were something of the past. This is not the Gene Kelly you know, but if you want to see him in something different, take the phone off the hook, grab a box of Kleenex and sit down with Marjorie Morningstar. It will stay with you.

Come on, people. Just because this movie is a lone musical among today's movies does not make it a classic, does not make it original and DEFINITELY does not make it some deep piece of art. The story is beyond thin, the acting is ridiculous and the songs are a joke. I honestly don't know how the actors got this movie filmed. If I had been asked to sing those lousy arrangements I would've either fired my agent or died laughing. This movie is nowhere near the category of classics like The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music and others. Don't let it fool you. As for truth, beauty, freedom and love--none of those things existed for those hapless characters. The predictable ending was doomed from the start and we all knew it within the first 5 caffinated minutes.

Having read several books about Anne Frank and seeing the wonderful documentary, ANNE FRANK REMEMBERED, I was very curious about this film. I could not have been more impressed. The casting was excellent, and the acting superb, especially with Hannah Taylor-Gordon as Anne and the riveting presence of Ben Kingsley as Otto. Yes, it was difficult to watch and yes, it was not "entertaining" by definition. But if you want a very accurate portrayal of the before, during and after events of the group who inhabited the "secret annexe," you won't do better than this film. I'm sure it will be a treasure for years to come. Beware: Although it is an excellent educational tool, the last 45 minutes are quite intense and do include some brief nudity. Small children may find it too graphic.