‘The Greatest Showman’ Review: impressive and fun musical with serious messages
This perspective comes from a reviewer who does NOT care for Musicals. Sure, I can still appreciate a good film, but Grease, The Sound of Music or West Side Story aren’t getting screened regularly in my house. In my opinion, to each their own.
With that said, The Greatest Showman is something entirely different and entertaining.
Hugh Jackman headlines a flashy, inspired, fun and entertaining film loosely centered around the life of P.T. Barnum, the famous circus founder.
Jackman’s Barnum is a dreamer, caught in class warfare and separated from the girl he falls in love with as a youth. The pair reunite as a she is willing to live as a pauper to live a carefree life. Barnum’s wife, Charity, Michelle Williams, is along for the ride and Barnum taps into human exploitation to cash in big. Tragedy and chaos ensue and the couple even face difficult times.
The Greatest Showman is successful because it deals with so many human emotions and societal divides without becoming preachy. Racism, outcasts, insecurities, media elitism, scandal, financial ruins are all topics met with tolerance, trust, forgiveness and repentance. Many critics attack the nonsensical elements of the film (it is a circus BTW) missing the human connection to the audience.
Zac Efron delights in a complicated role as a wealthy elite in love with Zendaya’s acrobat and a willing partner to Barnum’s absurd visions. Critics seem lost to acknowledge that Barnum’s tolerance of freaks is at the foundation of #MeToo, Black Lives Matter and other movements build on individuals (not leaders) seeking to find acceptance.
Keala Settle is the Hawaiian actress and singer who plays the bearded woman, Lettie Lutz, who steals the film with the rendition of “This Is Me” which “brings the house down.”
The Greatest Showman pulls on the heart strings and waters down the darker elements to the Barnum legacy, but fans can escape to simpler times and messaging. It connects on so many levels and deserves a chance, even by those who don’t like musicals…like me.
The Greatest Showman earns 4 out of 5 stars