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Saturday, April 20, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
EDITOR'S PICK
'The Greatest Showman' better than 'La La Land' (Review By Subhash K. Jha ; Rating: *** ½ )
What is it about morality tales that makes them so perennially desirable? And
what's with this imperishable renewability of Broadway-styled musicals? The
answers to both the questions are embedded in the enchanting cadences and
undulating paces of "The Greatest Showman", a film that holds up remarkably well
at the fag end of the year as a shining shimmying mirror image of an untouched
unspoilt soul dancing to a beat that discredits any cynical interpretation.
Unmistakably old fashioned and sinfully melodious, "The Greatest Showman" marks
the musical debut of "X-Men" star Hugh Jackman. I last saw him grieving for a
lost innocence in the action weepie "Logan". In this film, Jackman restores our
faith in the power of music and love to heal.
The film purports to be a biopic of sorts chronicling the life times and
flamboyant staged spectacles that the 19th century showman P.T. Barnum created
by gathering together the outcasts of society, the dwarf, the bearded woman, the
obese man, and at that time in the history of America even the Black Americans
were considered outcasts. When they come together on stage, anything can happen.
And it does!
The narrative brings together the strands of the music dance and sheer joie de
vivre with an effervescence reminiscent of 2016's Broadway-on-celluloid "La La
Land".
"The Greatest Showman" has more vitality than that overrated film last year
where two good looking people danced to show us how aesthetic they looked in
doing so.
In "The Greatest Showman", the choreography is far more spontaneous. The
characters are far less immaculate than actress Emma Stone and actor Ryan
Gosling. Far more flawed and passionate in their propensity to live beyond their
means by expressing themselves through songs and dance.
The music and choreography are absolutely first-rate. I found myself humming the
numbers like "A million dreams", "Come alive" and "This is me" long after the
magical film played itself out. The narrative suffused in the magic of nostalgia
and yearning, puts a hum in the audience's soul and song on the lips.
Enchanting from the word go, somewhere down the line "The Greatest Showman"
becomes a morality tale about success driving the protagonist away from his
roots. Rebecca Ferguson as a tragic melodramatic singer whose ‘pure' voice
dilutes the very essence of what Barnum stands for.
There is also a touch of forbidden love between Zac Efron and Zendaya and their
musical number sung and danced on trapeze bars, is simply spellbinding.
Beautiful to behold and possessing a soul to match, "The Greatest Showman"
reveals the unexpected musical side to Jackman's talent. Who would have thought
he had it in him? The musical format brings out the best in all the actors in
this gem of a movie.
Innovative, colourful and clogged with that quality which Barnum
invented-showmanship-this big-screen experience is just the way to end the year.
"The Greatest Showman" is a bold and original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come to life. Inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum, "The Greatest Showman" tells the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerizing spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. "The Greatest Showman" is directed by exciting new filmmaker, Michael Gracey, with songs by Academy Award winners Benji Pasek and Justin Paul ("La La Land") and starring Academy Award nominee Hugh Jackman. Jackman is joined by Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Zac Efron and Rebecca Ferguson. #GreatestShowman
