The
Greatest Showman (2017) – A musical version of the life of the
great American showman, P.T. Barnum.
Greatest Showman (2017) – A musical version of the life of the
great American showman, P.T. Barnum.
Director:
Michael Gracey
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Zendaya
Michael Gracey
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Zendaya
Why
I Liked It: Catchy tunes and fun spectacle with a little history
offer an inspiring tribute to an American icon.
I Liked It: Catchy tunes and fun spectacle with a little history
offer an inspiring tribute to an American icon.
There
may be no more American figure that Phineas Taylor Barnum. He was
adventurous, daring, and above all a showman. Never subtle nor
sophisticated, Barnum is a figure that dominated American culture for
decades. Even after his heyday was passed, he was the archetype for
that raucous, self-promoting aspect of our national culture. He was a
dreamer and visionary. Like many such people, his life was filled
with outrageous highs and devastating lows.
may be no more American figure that Phineas Taylor Barnum. He was
adventurous, daring, and above all a showman. Never subtle nor
sophisticated, Barnum is a figure that dominated American culture for
decades. Even after his heyday was passed, he was the archetype for
that raucous, self-promoting aspect of our national culture. He was a
dreamer and visionary. Like many such people, his life was filled
with outrageous highs and devastating lows.
A
straight biography of the great showman would have not made the box
office impact that this musical version did. As with any biopic, the
facts are shuffled, shaped and occasionally ignored. Barnum’s
penchant for hoaxes is played down, his success is presented as a
steady rise without any hitches. What shines through is Barnum’s
gift for spectacle and grand shows. There is a part of me that is sad
that the day of the traveling circus has passed. There are few
spectacles quite the same. The day had to come, if only out of
respect for the animals who suffered for our amusement. But there was
much of the rest that still sells (just ask Cirque du Soliel).
straight biography of the great showman would have not made the box
office impact that this musical version did. As with any biopic, the
facts are shuffled, shaped and occasionally ignored. Barnum’s
penchant for hoaxes is played down, his success is presented as a
steady rise without any hitches. What shines through is Barnum’s
gift for spectacle and grand shows. There is a part of me that is sad
that the day of the traveling circus has passed. There are few
spectacles quite the same. The day had to come, if only out of
respect for the animals who suffered for our amusement. But there was
much of the rest that still sells (just ask Cirque du Soliel).
Beyond
the life of Barnum, the movie offers a lesson in dealing with people
who are different. Barnum loses sight of the fact that the members of
his troupe are human beings. This is likely a generous interpretation
of his life.
the life of Barnum, the movie offers a lesson in dealing with people
who are different. Barnum loses sight of the fact that the members of
his troupe are human beings. This is likely a generous interpretation
of his life.
I
do want to take a moment to consider some criticism leveled at Hugh
Jackman’s singing. Jackman does not bring a typical musical theater
voice to his role here (or in “Les Miserables”). That offends
some musical theater fans. He is more than competent in his singing
and makes the role feel more “human” because he sings like a real
person. To those who say he can’t sing, I say rubbish. There’s a
level of theater snobbery at work in that criticism that I reject.
Are there better singers in the world? Certainly. Jackman brings
great assurance to his role, star power and more than enough singing
talent. If you spend your time worrying about how he sings, you’ve
become the critic in the movie. Enjoy your time in the theater. Let
the rest go.
do want to take a moment to consider some criticism leveled at Hugh
Jackman’s singing. Jackman does not bring a typical musical theater
voice to his role here (or in “Les Miserables”). That offends
some musical theater fans. He is more than competent in his singing
and makes the role feel more “human” because he sings like a real
person. To those who say he can’t sing, I say rubbish. There’s a
level of theater snobbery at work in that criticism that I reject.
Are there better singers in the world? Certainly. Jackman brings
great assurance to his role, star power and more than enough singing
talent. If you spend your time worrying about how he sings, you’ve
become the critic in the movie. Enjoy your time in the theater. Let
the rest go.
In
the end, we watch a movie not to learn history but to be entertained.
If it inspires us to look at the facts, then all the better. I’m
headed out to find a biography of Barnum after this.
the end, we watch a movie not to learn history but to be entertained.
If it inspires us to look at the facts, then all the better. I’m
headed out to find a biography of Barnum after this.
Rating
– *** Worth A Look
– *** Worth A Look
Stories Are My Life 
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