An American in Paris

Jerry Mulligan, a buoyant American living in postwar Paris, is determined to break through as a painter while soaking up the city's light, music, and flirtation. His friend Adam is a hard working pianist whose career hinges on a long association with the celebrated French singer Henri Baurel. When a glamorous society woman named Milo Roberts takes an interest in Jerry, she offers financial backing and encouragement, drawn by more than his art. Paris becomes a playground of laughter, romance, and artistic ambition as Jerry negotiates patronage, friendships, and the pull of love, all set against bright street scenes and unforgettable Gershwin tunes. Friends and rivals watch closely, joking and arguing as Jerry chases opportunity.

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the film is built around George and Ira Gershwin's music with a screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner, presenting an original musical for the screen rather than a direct stage adaptation, noted for its color and movement.

With a budget of 5,635,000 dollars, the movie grossed 6,981,000 dollars worldwide, making it a solid financial outing for its era and a respectable success for a mid-century musical, appealing to both domestic and international audiences and critics alike globally.

Its bold color and lively dance routines helped redefine the mid century musical, with Gene Kelly weaving through Paris in a sequence that became an enduring image of screen romance. The Gershwin score and Minnelli's staging left a lasting impression on musical cinema and Paris on film, influencing later productions.

Critical notices highlighted the film's energy, strong performances, and the seamless blend of song, humor, and romance today. It foregrounds artistic ambition and flirtation against a refined social backdrop, while showing how love and talent intersect with fame and the lure of Paris. Audiences embraced its humor and warmth worldwide.