Directed by: Michael Gracey
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya
(34 votes)
Hugh Jackman leads the show as a somewhat re-imagined P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman, loosely based upon the world-famous circus persona and the inception of his entertainment business. Musical, upbeat and as colorful as the show it is based upon, The Greatest Showman is not history or a biography but a candy-wrapped presentation of a glimpse into the circus phenomena that is nostalgic, whimsical, sometimes tumultuous but ultimately uplifting. If you enjoy musicals and the circus, and don't mind some drama and modern messages of inclusion, acceptance and family thrown into a period film, give The Greatest Showman a chance to bring you under their Big Top awhile.
The Greatest Showman did not work for me. It is clear that just about every single individual involved in the production of this movie, whether it is cast or crew, put all of their effort into it. The cast are very good singers and the choreography put into the musical sequences is outstanding.
However, I could not help but get this superficial feeling when watching it. The movie tries to deliver a heartfelt message and themes about equality and not being afraid to be different, but it ultimately lacks a sense of complexity or intelligence within itself for them to leave an impact, and the characterization felt really thin, despite the efforts of the cast.
The Greatest Showman is a well made movie, but the emotions it was trying to evoke never hit home for me, despite the work put into it.
Continuity mistake: When Barnum goes to see Charity by the beach at the end of the film, they embrace. As the camera shows a close up of their faces Charity's head is on Barnum's right shoulder, but when they reverse the shot to show her expression she is now on his left shoulder. (01:30:10)
P.T. Barnum: Nothing draws a crowd like a crowd.
Question: So, where do P.T. Barnum, Charity, and their daughters live by the end of the movie? Do they get their mansion back?
Answer: It doesn't tell.