Over the Holiday break THE GREATEST SHOWMAN has been one of the big three taking the box office by storm. It's coming close to the one month mark and still bringing in audiences by the droves!
It's hard for me to describe what type of Musical fan I am; because it might not sound like it, but I do like a good Musical. A few of my favorites in no particular order are: WIZARD OF OZ, WHITE CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAY INN, CHICAGO, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS and LA LA LAND. My number one favorite is SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.
With this knowledge, a friend or acquaintance would expect me to be excited for or automatically love THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. With Hugh Jackman headlining the film I was on board. But once I saw the trailer I became far less interested.
During the Holiday break I was approached by 5 or more people asking if I'd seen the movie yet? I told them no and explained why, but they continued to guarantee me that I'd just absolutely love the film! With the positive reactions I decided to see it.
Before I continue let me just point out that I love when a film like THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is popular and bringing people to the theater again!
The first red flag that I wasn't going to enjoy THE GREATEST SHOWMAN was when the vintage 20th Century Fox logo gets cut short due to a more updated version with current Top 40 pop music beats? Once the movie begins it wastes no time and kicks things off with a stelar musical number.
All of the high-energy sequences are filled with music that just isn't my cup of tea; however, I give credit to the performances when it's due. And most if not all of the musical numbers in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN are top notch!
It's the movie around the Musical that I have the most issues with. In other words, the musical spectacle deserves to be in a better film. Or maybe THE GREATEST SHOWMAN might work better as an actual Broadway production rather than a movie?
None of the conflict in the film feels earned, it's all surface. Any drama in the film (with the exception of the interrelationship sub plot) gets resolved in a matter of minutes? Don't get me wrong, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN does tell a coherent story. But I seriously believe that a lot of the drama got cut? And just so we're all on the same page, by drama I'm not referring to the historical inaccuracies of the main character(s).
SPOILERS!!!
There is a moment during the films final act where Barnum's wife leaves him. This is foreshadowed at the beginning of the movie when his Father In law tells Barnum that she'll come back home soon enough. The payoff is a little "empty" when all is forgiven with a dance number and one apology?
My criticism might be slightly on the edge of nitpicking, it's just that one example explains my frustration about the whole film.
In the end, I find myself siding with the critic character in the movie. He doesn't like the show, but gives P.T. Barnum credit for making people happy!
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