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The Greatest Showman
Handsome production values, some terrific songs, and a dazzling performance from the leading man help elevate 2017's The Greatest Showman, the story of PT Barnum, above the average show biz biopic.
Phinneas Taylor was the subject of a 1980 Broadway musical called Barnum which starred Jim Dale as Barnum and Glenn Close as his wife Charity that ran for 854 performances, but bringing the story to the big screen opened up the story to maximum effect. And speaking of a big screen, it should be noted that this was the first movie I have seen in an actual movie theater since 2007.
Hugh Jackman lights up the screen as PT Barnum, a show business hopeful who romances the lovely Charity (Michelle Williams) before developing his unique show business offering centered around human oddities such as a bearded lady and Tom Thumb. He persuades important but unhappy playwright Phillip Carlisle (Zac Efron) to be his business partner and his show, which is staged in a former museum, rises to even greater heights until Phinneas Taylor meets opera singer Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson) with whom he becomes obsessed to the point of putting his personal and professional lives at risk.
The screenplay by Jenny Bicks and Oscar winner Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters) is an effective combination of backstage drama and politically correct sensibilities regarding the stars of Barnum's show and how it should never be forgotten they are human beings, first and foremost. Director Michael Gracey has mounted the story in the form of a Broadway musical without the limitations of a Broadway stage and is keenly aware of what audiences expect in a Broadway musical. I have to admit to being taken back the first time Jenny Lind opens her mouth to sing, that we got the voice of a Broadway belter instead of an operatic soprano, but it so fit the style of the story that I was able to forgive.
The song score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land) is a perfect blend of romantic comedy and Broadway razzle dazzle that actually advances story. Highlights include "The Greatest Show", "Come Alive", "Rewrite the Stars", "From Now On", and the pulse pounding "This is Me."
As expected, Jackman does a charismatic star turn that shows off his gorgeous lyric tenor to maximum effect, but the real surprise here was Michelle Williams, who I had no idea could sing and dance, but the girl delivers, as always. Efron makes an effective return to musical comedy and is allowed to keep his clothes on for the entire running time and I have to give a shout out to Keala Settle, who steals every scene she's in as the bearded lady. A grand musical comedy gourmet feast. Fans of Moulin Rouge will have a head start here. And if you can, see it in a real theater like I did.
Handsome production values, some terrific songs, and a dazzling performance from the leading man help elevate 2017's The Greatest Showman, the story of PT Barnum, above the average show biz biopic.
Phinneas Taylor was the subject of a 1980 Broadway musical called Barnum which starred Jim Dale as Barnum and Glenn Close as his wife Charity that ran for 854 performances, but bringing the story to the big screen opened up the story to maximum effect. And speaking of a big screen, it should be noted that this was the first movie I have seen in an actual movie theater since 2007.
Hugh Jackman lights up the screen as PT Barnum, a show business hopeful who romances the lovely Charity (Michelle Williams) before developing his unique show business offering centered around human oddities such as a bearded lady and Tom Thumb. He persuades important but unhappy playwright Phillip Carlisle (Zac Efron) to be his business partner and his show, which is staged in a former museum, rises to even greater heights until Phinneas Taylor meets opera singer Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson) with whom he becomes obsessed to the point of putting his personal and professional lives at risk.
The screenplay by Jenny Bicks and Oscar winner Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters) is an effective combination of backstage drama and politically correct sensibilities regarding the stars of Barnum's show and how it should never be forgotten they are human beings, first and foremost. Director Michael Gracey has mounted the story in the form of a Broadway musical without the limitations of a Broadway stage and is keenly aware of what audiences expect in a Broadway musical. I have to admit to being taken back the first time Jenny Lind opens her mouth to sing, that we got the voice of a Broadway belter instead of an operatic soprano, but it so fit the style of the story that I was able to forgive.
The song score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land) is a perfect blend of romantic comedy and Broadway razzle dazzle that actually advances story. Highlights include "The Greatest Show", "Come Alive", "Rewrite the Stars", "From Now On", and the pulse pounding "This is Me."
As expected, Jackman does a charismatic star turn that shows off his gorgeous lyric tenor to maximum effect, but the real surprise here was Michelle Williams, who I had no idea could sing and dance, but the girl delivers, as always. Efron makes an effective return to musical comedy and is allowed to keep his clothes on for the entire running time and I have to give a shout out to Keala Settle, who steals every scene she's in as the bearded lady. A grand musical comedy gourmet feast. Fans of Moulin Rouge will have a head start here. And if you can, see it in a real theater like I did.