Performance. Life. Music. Extravagant. Oddness. Cinematographic magic. Do you want to know more? I hope you do because today I’m going to talk about a film that I really like. To be more exact, in this chapter I’m going to do a review about the very same musical The Greatest Showman. Make the pop-corns, this is about to start.
Take number one: action!
The Australian film-maker called Michael Gracey makes his debut as director of The Greatest Showman, an exceptional story which, with the aim character’s enthusiasm, explodes into a boldly imagined fictional kingdom, filled with catching songs, glamorous dances and a celebration of being able to be yourself despite your own peculiarities as the ideal material to give shape to the magnificent spectacle that the film has ended up being.
Michael bets for his project on the Australian actor Hugh Jackman who, after saying goodbye to Wolverine, character of the saga X-Men, came back to one of his beginnings: the musicals.
The Greatest Showman is a biographical film that lets us know the controversial live show’s father, Phineas Taylor Barnum – played by Hugh Jackman -, a recognised businessman from the 1830s. After losing his office job, Barnum decides to use the family savings to put on a museum of curiosities in New York city which, after the lack of public interest, he chooses to turn into a live show lead by extravagant characters played by a cast full of multifaceted talents such us Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Kaela Settle…
Along the way, there will be a torment of emotions that go through the expectation of undertaking something totally new. On the one hand, the show offered by Barnum captivates and fascinates a large part of the public. However, the showman’s vision is revealing and ahead of the times, so the fact of seeing a show where the protagonists are different and of non-ordinary physiques is not well received by another large part of society – I mean, there’s rejection and discontent along with bad plays and critical looks.
But hey! Do not expect an exact reproduction of Barnum’s life since you will be disappointed with The Greatest Showman. In the play’s script, Bill Condon and Jenny Bicks (film’s scriptwriter) have added some non-existent drama in Barnum’s real life as well as overlooked others.
What you can actually expect is the story of a dreamer, who fights tirelessly against the wind to guarantee his family a dream life.
The noblest of arts is making others happy.
Phineas Taylor Barnum
All of this will be possible as a result of the success achieved by his attractive but revealing idea for those times when more than one finds it impressive. Finally, we’ll see how that internal thirst to achieve more and more success will be able to put an end to everything Barnum had achieved until then: his family, his friendships, his show…
Although the musical is set in an America at the height of the Industrial Revolution, Michael Gracey opts for a choice of songs which, instead of continuing with the characteristic attitude of that time, completely transform the story through inspiring and revolutionary messages.
Own songs of the film are one of the key elements of the work. They make us fall in love with the show. Unforgettable, emotional, impressive… This is how I would define the soundtrack of The Great Showman.
By way of music, the show promotes valuable and emotional messages about the power to transform, diversity and prejudice. It’s the outstanding musical numbers that give us goosebumps. A musical obviously stands out for its songs; but without a shadow of a doubt, the musical numbers of The Greatest Showman aren’t simple songs, they are hymns.
The Greatest Showman is not a biopic but a musical daydream, an ode to dreams.
“This is me”, one of the hits of the musical, was born as a hymn to self-improvement at the same time it reclaims a much-needed concept today: differences make us better. “This is me” is a masterpiece that has earned a place in the hearts of us, the audience, and the cast of the film itself.
But it doesn’t just stop there. The Greatest Showman also deals with other issues more directed to the time in which the film is set.
According to the director’s own words, the main idea of the film was to teach that the true wealth of oneself corresponds to the people you surround yourself with and love.
Barnum took people rejected and discriminated against by society and brought them together. With the excuse of putting on his own show, Barnum gave them the opportunity to show everyone who once judged them that it doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are – much less how you are. We all have our differences and similarities so let’s stop trying to hide them. Let’s be proud of ourselves, just the way we are. Barnum, after effort and hard work, got all of that and as a reward, a second family.
I risked much, but I made much.
Phineas Taylor Barnum
Opinions aside, it’s true that a professional in the field of cinema (a film critic), may find the plot of this story a little bit predictable and superficial.
The Greatest Showman, somewhat inspired by the man who brought the first circus to New York and had the most popular circus show in the United States, serves its purpose of entertaining. Nevertheless, all the characters that enter and leave the thread of the plot lack the greatest vital development of the leading showman without leaving a trace that reaches to impress the public.
Even if our leading role Hugh Jackman is excellent in his role, the rest of the characters, despite being played by outstanding actors, their scripts revolve around the showman without letting us see beyond their lives. They seem one dimensional. Characters like Charity Barnum, played by Michelle Williams, are terribly wasted. They leave us intrigued to learn more about them. All of them lack an all-important narrative arc.
In addition, during the film several problems arise that are solved in a matter of minutes.
The Greatest Showman has a determined and precise plot, P.T. Barnum doesn’t let anything or anyone ruin his dreams. In the film everything is shown directly and without going into complications.
Therefore, more than one spectator would have liked to know more about Barnum’s offstage life and the rest of the circus participants. There will be another opportunity for us to know this exceptional story in more detail – less is more.
Have you watched the musical? If you do, what do you think about it? And if you don’t, what are you waiting for? Quick. Go and watch the film.
I know that this chapter might be unexpected. I have to admit that I didn’t expect to write this kind of entry either. In my defense, it was for a school activity. But let’s be optimistic and let’s see the positive side. As a song of The Greatest Showman, from now on the blog will have more variety of sections.
As a habit, it’s time for the song. In my opinion, it would be a total lack of respect to recommend to you a song which doesn’t belong to the music score of The Greatest Showman. So, after thinking about it a while, I’ve finally chosen one among all of them.
When everyone tells us what we can be, how can we rewrite the stars?
Rewrite the stars – Zac Efron and Zendaya
Honestly, it has been very difficult for me to opt for a song this time. Since This is me had its moment of prominence before, I thought of putting the spotlight on Rewrite the Stars.
I had never paid attention to the lyrics of this song before, so those two phrases stand out when I read them. As Zendaya says, how can we decide for ourselves what our life will be like if we allow people – known and unknown people -to tell us how to be, how to act, what to say, etc? I think that the answer is obvious. Reflect on it and you will know what to do.
xoxo
m
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