What do you do when the odds in life seem against you? When you're a hopeful hardworking man but life seems to be unfair? And beyond the disdainful attitude of your rich father-in-law, who never wanted you to marry his daughter because you were not well-to-do, what burdens you is how to cater for her and your two beloved daughters who you don't want to ever go through the kind of life you did. That was a man on a mission.
Well, that mission and drive rose him to “The Greatest Showman.” You should probably know what this is about. If you don't, this review is on the movie, “The Greatest Showman,” a beautiful musical and drama. The movie stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya, directed by Michael Gracey, based on an original story by Bicks. That makes it more interesting, but maybe not enough yet.
The movie featured nine original songs written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. “The Greatest Showman” brought more than just an enjoyable musical that you might randomly see, it explored originality strongly and beautifully. A fictionalised depiction of the life of P. T. Barnum, the owner of Barnum & Bailey Circus, the movie follows the rise to success of the showman and entertainer who forged his destiny through an unconventional idea.
Coming from a poor background and losing his job because the company had to close, Barnum decided to take a loan, and with that he started Barnum’s American Museum. It wasn't a success. He needed something “alive” and that gave him the idea of a circus. If only it were just a normal circus. Barnum hired different kinds of “freaks” and made them into talents and figures, entertaining the audience which grew rapidly.
Barnum’s resilience to succeed, even his team of “freaks” whom he helped find some meaning in life was commendable. It's important to mention how Barnum’s later association with people of high status made him keep a distance from the group, having them work without him. That itself revealed how selfish and inconsiderate our desires can make us.
Though rejected and made a mockery of by many people, Barnum and his team continued to push through. The circus became a success. But Barnum’s desire wasn't contained or satisfied. He came across Jenny Lind, a famed Swedish singer at a highly profiled meeting. He persuaded her to have a music tour around America, with him as her manager. Abandoning his team, he took on this quest with the singer which later developed into a problem that cost him.
The story was interesting all along. The circus, the singing and the choreography defined the movie. As a musical, the music is a major part of the movie and a main attraction, which it didn't fail to display. Some of the originally composed songs went on to win awards. It reflects how this aspect of the musical/drama was well constructed and delivered, not just melodies but telling stories, which makes it stand out as a wonderful and interesting musical.
The actors performed well, in the script and in the music. “The Greatest Showman” didn't just deliver music and melodies, but told a story, beyond just scripts, through music and good choreography. What I have against the movie is the large inaccuracy from the real story. They seem to have sacrificed it to create an interesting fiction. Real-life stories should be treated better. But as a movie, it was a good watch. Even as one who's not a big fan of musicals, I can say that.
Thank you for reading!
Rating: 80/100