MovieChat Forums > An American in Paris (1951) Discussion > Anyone else find the ending somewhat unr...

Anyone else find the ending somewhat unrealistic?

posted 18 years ago by MaxPunishment
57 replies | jump to latest

Other than the overly long ballet sequence at the end of the sequence (most of which I fast forward through) I really enjoy this film. My only problem with it is I can't imagine the ending of the film playing out as it does. For Henri to drive back and simply hand Lise to Jerry seems unlikely, especially after Henri explains the importance to Jerry of holding onto the one that you love since true love may only come once in a lifetime. Although you can make the argument that Jerry loves Elise and that he should get her, Henri also love Lise and Lise admittedly also has feelings for him. Therefore, I can't imagine what the motivations of Henri would be to give up the love of his life. Although similar to the ending of Casablanca, I feel this ending fails to justify why the relationship between Elise and Henri should end.

Anyone else feel this way?

[–] chinoh151 18 years ago

First of all, Henri sees Lise saying goodbye to Jerry, so he got a hint that they loved each other.

Lise does have feeling for Henri but in a fatherly way. He took care off her all her life and she was just returning the favour by appearing as his girlfriend.

THe reason why Henri gave Lise to Jerry is becasue he knows Lise didn't love him.

[–] AJPar05 18 years ago

I agree. Though it is a little hard to believe that Henri would just give her up, he had to know that she didn't love him. He said himself, "There is only one real problem with a man and a woman, when one of them is in love and the other isn't." He had to just come to the realization that she didn't love him and there was nothing he could've done about it.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] briennetheblue 17 years ago

I agree. The only reason to wait through the previous hour and a half is to get to that! That's like watching Star Wars and fast-forwarding through all the action scenes.

"Without you, today's emotions would be the scurf of yesterday's."

[–] zillion29 18 years ago

Yeah, the ending was unquestionably whacked. I thought one of the best scenes of the whole film was Henri walking out of the shadows while Jerry pines at the balcony. That was really well done - but then it all morphs into that Minelli-LSD trip ballet number that was totally unsatisfying in every way (outside of the neat fountain effect). Then you come right out of the ballet number and Jerry and Lise are given an abrupt happy ending.
I guess that's the way it HAD to end, given the ramifications of it all: Henri emotionally ruined, Milo emotionally ruined, Oscar Levant's character {still} emotionally ruined.

[–] eddyskiva 18 years ago

Respectfully... I very much disagree... and simple can't understand where your head is at with this movie. I've never questioned the well explained fact that the relationship between Lise and Henri is paternal, duty-bound, and not really based on true love. You say yourself that you admire the scene where Henri walks out of the shadows on the balcony... after seeing what has been happening. He brings Lise back... recognizing the reality of things. Yes, it's neatly packed up in a convenient way... but it's a musical of the fifties.
Heck forget that... even in a modern romance like Somethings Gotta Give... Keanu Reeves recognizes whats going on with Keaton and Nicholson... and gracefully steps aside.

As for the knocks on the ballet sequence... that is the one thing that makes this dated film truly revolutionary. The dance sequence is supposed to be exactly as long as it is. It doesn't shorten Gershwin's composition to make it just another 2 minute musical number. It is beautiful, each scene rendered in the style of an impressionist painter. It is recognized by anyone who truly knows the art of film, as a masterpiece of style, choreography, light, and music. Contrary to the original poster here... I can see fast forwarding thru much of the earlier part of the film... particularly the not so good 'By Strauss' and 'Stairway to Paradise' number.... all very dated and corny. The final ballet still holds up as a work of art over fifty years later.

[–] Drywall 18 years ago

--Although similar to the ending of Casablanca...--

This could not be more wrong. In fact, this is the complete OPPOSITE to Casablanca; it is more akin to EVERY other Hollywood movie made, hoisting up the age-old lie that "true love conquers all".

The reason Casablanca's ending is so special is because the two lovers do NOT end up together; Rick sends Ilsa back to her husband. She loves her husband for the same reason Lise loves Henri, that is, she admires him and is grateful to him for helping her out of her oppressed homeland. But she REALLY loves Rick (at least, according to Hollywood rules of love, which is mostly "I can't live without you...for no adequately explained reason")

Rick realizes, of course, that she would be better off with her husband ("If that plane leaves the ground and you're not on it, you'll regret it...we both know you belong with Victor"). In 'American in Paris', on the other hand, Lise leaves the rich and successful singer for the poor, failed painter.

Can you imagine what their future will be like? Jerry's sponsor will dump him right away, and he'll be left with nothing. Passion burns quickly; I figure that in five years (tops) they'll be miserable and squabbling, just like every other couple that met and married too quickly.

Yes, the ending is unrealistic. But please...don't impugn a classic like that.

"I LOVE chocolate...but I can't eat it, 'cause then I'll get FAT...but it's SOOOOOO good!"

[–] kj61077 18 years ago

--Although similar to the ending of Casablanca...--

I would assume that the poster realized that the ultimate ending was not the same, but rather was referring to the similarities that were mentioned in your post. . .Ilsa loves her husband for the same reason Lise loves Henri, that is, she admires him and is grateful to him for helping her out of her oppressed homeland. But she REALLY loves Rick(just as Lise REALLY loves Jerry.)

But please...don't impugn a classic like that.

You may not think so, but many would say that this is a classic as well. . .just a different genre, so a different feel. And honestly, it wasn't impugning anything.

You made fine points, and yes, "An American in Paris" does follow the old Hollywood rule that those in love end up together. . .even without money.

Though as my father once told me whan I was a little girl, "It's just a movie, Kelly."

And a musical at that. So guess what? I don't so much mind that it ends happily ever after. In fact, I think it is wonderful that way. Would they have made it five years? Who cares. The movie ended there. Escape. Just a movie.

[–] justoldbill 18 years ago

Alan Jay Lerner initially wanted Maurice Chevalier to play Henri. Had that been the case, things would have made more sense all the way around. Even graying Georges Guetary's hair didn't make him look sufficently older than Caron for the May-December aspects of the role. But Chevalier was passed over for the role because at the time he was still looked on unfavorably for having (by necessity) entertained Nazi audiences during the war. Some years later, Caron did marry Chevalier in FANNY, another May-December relationship.

[–] RainAndTangerines 18 years ago

"Anyone else find the ending somewhat unrealistic?" um hello..it's only a movie, duh.

[–] zillion29 18 years ago

As an aside, I need to start spending more time on classic film IMDB boards. Too much time bantering about slasher flicks and sci fi has caused me to forget that there are actually literate, thoughtful people who can write responses that use proper grammar. Even though I don't necessarily agree all the time - you guys ROCK with your responses.

That said, I'm just gonna come out and say it: Henri was a creepy cradle-robbing douche bag. And then he compounded all of his sins by "stepping aside" and letting the girl fall into the clutches of Jerry - an even BIGGER douche bag, but with a nicer ass. Good for Maurice Chevalier for finding a way not to be in this movie.

[–] justoldbill 18 years ago

I think Chevalier would have KILLED to be in this movie! He also would have been better able to navigate the complex relationship between Lise and Henri. George Guetary just didn't have the acting chops to carry it off. He was also less of a known quantity to the audience than Chevalier. Chevalier would have had more of the audience's sympathy for his position because they knew Chevalier. Remember, if Lise hadn't met Jerry, she probably would have been quite content with Henri, who, after all, kept her alive through the war.

[–] juanmonge69 18 years ago

Has any one else noticed that Gene Kelly is actually three years older than Georges Guetary. Gene was twice Leslie Caron's age in real life. If a girl is going to have a sugar daddy it might as well be a rich one.

I do agree with some of the other posters this movie would have worked better with an older Henri. I think Nina Foch looked hot. I wouldn't say no to her. Caron is attractive in her own way.

[–] justoldbill 18 years ago

Most people don't check actors' bios while watching a film. The age difference between Kelly and Caron can be overlooked on film, and Henri wasn't a "sugar daddy". As to the age difference between Kelly and Guetary, unfortunately all the gray streaks and tips in the world couldn't hide Guetary's youth. It does get in the way, but with Chevalier not in the running, it was difficult to find another known French entertainer to fill the bill, and a real French entertainer was what Lerner felt was needed.

[–] kj61077 18 years ago

I always felt that Kelly looked younger than he was. Did you all think so? He often got away with that even as he was 20 years older than some of his leading ladies. He could make it look like only 10. An age difference. . .yes. But robbing the cradle. . .not so much.

But I never thought that the age difference was one of the real factors in what drove her to pick Jerry over Henri anyway. She just fell in love with Jerry. Simple as that.

I chalked it up to the "suspension of disbelief" that is necessary for watching movies. That was okay by me. Because clearly Henri was younger than he was intended to be. And that "young artist" Jerry (in his late 30's) should hardly be considered a youthful boy-toy for Milo. But that's fine. I still found it to be highly enjoyable.

Kelly

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] thesnowleopard 8 years ago

That said, I'm just gonna come out and say it: Henri was a creepy cradle-robbing douche bag. And then he compounded all of his sins by "stepping aside" and letting the girl fall into the clutches of Jerry - an even BIGGER douche bag, but with a nicer ass. Good for Maurice Chevalier for finding a way not to be in this movie.

ROTFL! This. When a woman's best romantic bet in a film is the socially awkward, piano-playing recluse with the hangdog face, the pickings on the boyfriend/husband front are pretty slim.

Innsmouth Free Press http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com

[–] b-hath 18 years ago

That was my first thought when I saw the ending. The problem is I didn't get the feeling of resignation when Henri hears Jerry & Lise's conversation. When they leave the ball it seems as though Henri is angrily taken Lise from Jerry. Then after the ballet when they return Lise kisses Henri then rushes to Jerry and kisses him. I never got the fatherly relationship from Jerry & Lise. I understand why Henri gave Lise up, but I think it could have been executed differently.

[–] indnajns 18 years ago

You realize you all are justifying a musical to someone who's definately under 30 and probably under 20. (ie, he's from an era that doesn't know what true art without nudity, gore, or CG is) It's a MUSICAL. When one goes to see a musical, one expects a certain style of movie and a certain type of ending. I'd never thougth about why the dance sequence was so long. I like the point that it didn't hack up Gershwin's music. But it's Gene Kelly!! Come on, do we even NEED a plot?? Just a basic story line for him to dance to works for me!

[–] dadoo4050 18 years ago

You fast forward through the ballet?!? The ballet is the whole reason to sit through the rest of the movie!

Yes, the plot is flimsy. It's just an excuse to get to the wonderful ballet sequence.

Today, while it was on, I did other things but stopped to watch when the ballet began. The ballet is the soul of this film, not the tired boy-meets-loses-gets-girl plot.

[–] crw72209 17 years ago

The ballet is great but there are some other sequences that are quite fun too. I'm watching this right now and my step-daughter (9 yrs. old) loved the "I Got Rythym" sequence. I do too, for that matter. As for the ending, I guess it depends on my mood. It's really engagin some days and a tad long on others. I do recognize how unique it is though. Either way, it's a pretty entertaining movie.

[–] dgz78 18 years ago

First of all, it's a musical so the viewer has to suspend some belief in reality. But it's easily conceivable Henri decided Lise and Jerry love each other more than she loves him and that it would be an issue hanging over their marriage. Better to cut your losses now. He was on the balcony and knew their true feelings.

In Casablanca, Rick and Ilsa love each other as much as Victor and Ilsa but she knew Victor first and was married to him. Her betrayal of Victor would have always come between Rick and Ilsa. Sometimes there is no way for everyone to get what they want.

As for the ballet sequence, it holds up better than the rest of the movie. First of all, it's got Gershwin and not a truncated Gershwin. Add Kelly and Caron and it ranks up with the barn raising sequence from Seven Brides For Seven Brothers as the best filmed dance sequemces.

Think what a crummy ending it would have been if she just leaves Jerry to marry Henri. Sort of a thud IMHO.

[–] tailorbird 18 years ago

When I watched the movie today, I thought about Casablanca too(mostly because there was a question about whether Ilse Loved Victor on the Casablanca board). I agree with the rest of you that this is an issue of genre. Musicals of this time period are full of happy ending. It would have been nice if the film had shown a little more development of Henri's decision and Lise's feelings about it, but if the choice was between that and the dancing, I would definitely take the dancing. Afterall, as many of you mentioned....it is a musical. This wasn't one of my favorite musicals, but as someone else mentioned, with Gene Kelley dancing, not much else is necessary.

Perhaps I'm just blanking out, but can anyone think of a musical that DOESN'T end with a good feeling?

[–] dadoo4050 18 years ago

West Side Story

[–] tailorbird 18 years ago

Thank you! I knew I was forgetting one. West Side story is a great example!

[–] justoldbill 18 years ago

The end of CABARET is exhilarating, but it isn't exactly "Climb Ev'ry Mountain".

But back Gene, Leslie and Georges- since the ballet happens in abstract time and in Jerry's imagination, we don't know how much actual time there is between Henri and Lise's departure and return, or what exactly transpires between the two of them in between, and I happen to like that kind of discretion. I also like a script that doesn't spoon-feed me every step of the way. Alan Jay Lerner had to be relieved at not having to write that particular scene!

[–] tailorbird 18 years ago

A more recent example is Moulin Rouge!