DIRECTOR: Michael
Gracey STARRING: Hugh
Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya SCREENPLAY: Jenny Bicks, Bill Condon STORY: Jenny Bicks PRODUCED BY: Laurence Mark, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping GENRES: Drama, Musical, Performing Arts MUSIC
BY: John Debney, Joseph Trapanese EDITED
BY: Tom Cross, Robert Duffy, Joe
Hutshing, Michael McCusker, Jon Poll,
Spencer Susser CINEMATOGRAPHY: Seamus McGarvey PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Chernin Entertainment, Seed Productions, Laurence Mark Productions,
TSG Entertainment DISTRIBUTED BY: 20th
Century Fox COUNTRY: United States LANGUAGE: English RUNNING TIME: 1 hour 45 minutes
Technical assessment:
4
Moral assessment:
3.5
CINEMA rating: V14
The father of
Phineas Barnum works as a tailor for the upper class Hallett family. Mr. Hallett notices the fondness between the
pre-teens Barnum and his daughter Charity, and makes his objection to this
unforgettable by slapping the boy in the face and warning him to stay away from
his daughter or else. Soon sent away to
a finishing school, Charity keeps in touch with Barnum, however, and the two
marry as adults. Barnum (Hugh Jackman)
and Charity (Michelle Williams) are happy in their humble world, with their two
daughters, but Barnum is determined to keep his vow to give Charity the opulent
life she was raised in. With a bank loan
a jobless Barnum purchases a museum, which made no money, prompting him to
gather freaks and create a spectacular show of oddities that was to become a
worldwide sensation.
No doubt about it—The Greatest Showman is a spectacle to
watch, backed up by a strong unequivocal story and heartfelt performances by a
meticulously chosen cast. Jackman is
spot on as a life gambler who refuses to sink or be beaten, lightheartedly
going through his song-and-dance routines like a pro. Williams plays the “plain housewife” role
with an umistakable touch of class.
Zendaya gives a did-she-really-do-it performance as a trapeze artist,
lending the film one of its jaw-dropping moments (in the well-rehearsed
choreography with Efron). Ferguson as
“the Swedish nightingale” Jenny Lind is a sight for tired eyes, while the cast
of freaks complete with the set, costumes, and animal players ensure the viewer
of the show within a show. The whole
movie’s apparent lack of depth is due to its montage-like approach to story
telling—its purpose, anyway, is to tell Barnum’s success story in a succession
of vignettes, not to vivisect the souls of the characters. Thus it succeeds both in telling its story
while entertaining its audience.
That The Greatest Showman is based on the
true story of P. T. Barnum—a name that was to be synonymous with “circus” since
the 1880s—should be enough to put the message across to the 21st
century movie viewers that certain values remain strong in the human heart
despite socio-cultural differences or personal success. People do find happiness in the family and
fulfillment in marital fidelity. Despite
social prejudice people fall in love, say “I love you”, hold hands in the dark,
and defy all odds as they fight for their heart’s desire.
Although the movie is wholesome enough to be
seen by young children, there is not enough happy, musical footage to keep them
entertained; the adult theme might even bore them, so make sure to explain
things to them should you view the movie at home. Young teenagers can take the story, and might
even find good counsel in the example of the Barnum couple who reconcile and
mend their marriage (as Barnum lets go of his circus career in order to focus
on his wife and children).
