"Brigadoon" has a few things going for it: Gene Kelly, and an engaging story. But sluggish musical numbers and a lack of comic relief keep the production from fully taking off.
"Brigadoon" stars Kelly and Van Johnson as American tourists in Scotland, hunting grouse. They become lost, and stumble upon a quaint village. This village exists for only day every century. Kelly falls for Cyd Charisse, his dance partner from "Singin' in the Rain". Charisse has poise but little warmth. Barry Jones lands a plum role as the brogue-speaking village elder Mr. Lundie (perhaps Barry Fitzgerald wasn't available). Meanwhile, love-spurned villager Hugh Laing threatens to spoil everyone's fantasy by leaving the village.
Director Vincente Minnelli contrasts the alleged charm of Brigadoon with the cynical, phony lifestyle of New York's privileged set. Returning to New York, Kelly becomes a space cadet dreaming of Brigadoon, while newly alcoholic Johnson is somehow racked with guilt for accidentally shooting a man and thereby saving an entire town. This leads to a happy ending, at least for Kelly, although Johnson may have some explaining to do with the police about what has happened to his friend.
All cynicism aside, the concept of Brigadoon's centennial visit is a charming one. The script is good, and the sets, while phony, ("Brigadoon" was filmed in Hollywood) are meticulous. The limiting factor for the film is the musical numbers, with their lumbering choreography and ensemble choruses. The result is not a visit to the Scottish highlands. Instead, it's like attending a Broadway musical. (60/100)
Romance blooms for an American who stumbles upon a magical Scottish village visible for one day every hundred years. Bagpipes and brogues abound in th...More at Family Video
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