THE GREATEST SHOWMAN : Fan Reactions/Reviews

[jo]

It is like a spell has been cast on the kids

Pied Piper Barnum

[jo]

I've read a few tweets implying the same.

Not sure why this is so -- The Other Side was a perfect way of demonstrating how the Barnum charm and persuasive ability work! Two people with different lifestyles and contrasting callings are brought together by two people's different motivations. Barnum is chasing a way to consolidate his business ( and enhance his social status)...Carlyle is yearning for what fulfills his soul, regardless of what happens to his social status!

Or are people looking at the sexual vibes of Jackman the person and Efron the person...and not the characters they portray


Jo

[mamaleh]

I think people see what they want to see, regardless of whether that view is supported by evidence.

I saw their partnership as initially solely a business deal, with elements of sincere respect and friendship gradually entering the equation. Nothing more.

Ellen

[Deleted]

I think just perverts want to see sexual tension in a context where in fact there is not, or it's a typical obsession for gossip maniacs. I'm wary of both categories, there is no substantial difference between them.

[jo]

A pity that many people misunderstand Hugh's career motivations and how he pursues one that explores his abilities as an actor/performer! I wonder how many people know him beyond his Wolverine film persona and have seen his other remarkable films? I wonder how many realize that he is equally adept on stage - whether musical theatre or drama?

I guess to some people's minds, being a very versatile actor whose talent is loaded with multiple skills and who can be in different branches of the performing arts ( movies or stage or even being a live entertainer such as hosting) is almost an unheard rarity. And to go to opposite ends of the acting spectrum ( such as from his Wolverine role to Barnum) is considered very remarkable. To some, his portrayal in PRISONERS was a revelation, but to me, his A STEADY RAIN dramatic take prepared me for it. And when he combines drama and music, such as in LES MISERABLES, we are getting the best of both worlds from a very versatile actor.

He does love music and being able to dance...but that does not mean that his multi-talent career roles will take a backseat to all movie or stage musicals. After all, his main interest at WAAPA was his multi-year training in drama! And we still have to see him in a play by The Bard


Jo

[jo]

How come I can't

Jo ( senior!)

[jo]

What a touching anecdote -- from the feedback section of the YTube clip of the FROM NOW ON workshop.

Κώστας Βαλσαμάκης
11 hours ago
I am divorced with a little daughter, so you know, I don’t get to see her as much as I would like. This morning I had a day off and I took her for a walk. While we were in the car, and you parents know how difficult it is to have a 18 month old child in its car sit actually doing nothing, I put this on my car speakers. Suddenly she started laughing and trying to dance and sing and clapping her little hands with happiness. I immediately stopped the car on the side of the road, I got out and took her out of her car sit, turned the volume as high as possible and started singing myself with my little girl, clapping my hands “Hugh Jackman style” and all. If I had I video I would have post it too. Thank you Hugh Jackman for one of the greatest moments of my life so far....

[jo]

Cultural shift

[jo]

I just saw an announcement for a special screening for senior people ( 55yr and Up) -- and thought of how this movie has appealed across ages. I think the following tweet summarizes what could appeal to people who were delighted with earlier movies and musicals --

A beautiful, romantic movie with heart, my kind of class.

[jo]

Generational clash

[jo]

[jo]

On the other hand

[jo]

Jun 1, 2018 17:35:03 GMT -5 jo said:

[jo]

The movie has found another channel to attract audiences --

First, the cinemas
Second, the cinemas with singalongs
Then, open-air screenings as a group event
Then, open-air screenings in the comfort of your car (drive-in movies)?
Then, living room airings after home video has been released.

Now -- backyard theatre, maybe complete with family picnics


PS: I bet summer camps ( when the season starts) will find this to be the main attraction

I once worked in a summer camp between schoolyears ( no good as counsellor at any camp activity though, but more in the office, somewhere in Maine by a lake) -- and that was where I discovered Hayley Mills in a movie that the kids loved - not a new movie but it was full of " SUMMER MAGIC" ! Btw, the drama director decided to stage a live musical performance ( for when the parents visit their kids on a special day) … he chose a Rodgers&Hammerstein musical which involved a lot of kids, although he did play the King … Yes, it was THE KING AND I!

[jo]

I wonder --

Has THE GREATEST SHOWMAN actually revived the love for musicals which many of us from the older generations enjoyed?

I doubt that LA LA LAND ever did that ( so many comments from social media or even reviews which deride the movie after having gone to see it with great expecations because of the awards hype and ended up disappointed -- I guess it is more of an acquired taste for film buffs)

Now you see the movie being seen so many times, singalong sessions winning over people, so many types of great and great-effort covers, graduation ceremonies being venues to air A MILLION DREAMS, and what is most amazing is the reaction of kids ( they love doing it car-karaoke style, they love putting on the costume, they love improvising their own choreography, so much children art shared, they will not have birthday parties without the TGS circus themes, etc... and it is not just the girls -- the boys are loving it, too!).

If anything at all, the revival of love for musicals, especially for young people, may eventually rank as the best contribution of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN to the film industry.


Btw, there are already a number of new film musicals in the offing!



Jo

[jo]

Look at The Littlest Showman trying to outdo Barnum while watching the movie

[jo]

LOL - Little Charity dancing with the sheets

[jo]

Art inspired by iconic image --

[jo]

In the movie, it was a young girl and an impaired young boy who were the first to smile, after the older folks gasped, at the sight of the " oddities". It looks like it is also the kids who are fascinated by the characters. There have been quite a few children art illustrating some of these characters --

Dog Boy, Bearded Lady, Lord of Leeds ( "750 lbs!"), the "Irish" Giant, and Constantin ( Tattoo Man)

[jo]

Is the school in Gloucester, UK?

[jo]

[jo]

Practically everywhere --


How can one movie and its musical score inspire and bring joy to so many kids around the world? C'est incroyable!

[jo]

Interesting how Hugh got to send the message to the EARLY YEARS kids --

www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/you-guys-going-crush-it-1644426


Excerpts --

Harley Hopson, reception teacher, at Mitton Manor, said the school was delighted with Hugh's message.

She said children had been humming tunes from the film, so they thought they would incorporate the inclusive message from the This is Me song in their circus-themed assembly.

"We use twitter at the school, so all our parents and staff tweeted Hugh and we got in touch with someone who knew him and the request was directed to Hugh Jackman.

"The actual assembly was on May 25, but we only got the message yesterday."

[jo]

This tweeter full twitter narrative about watching THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is quite funny
You can check that out by clicking on the space of this tweet.


But this is one of the most amusing ones --

See, in other more contemporary movies, infidelity is sometimes a matter of fact subject.

But it looks like people wanted THE GREATEST SHOWMAN to tell us an old-fashioned story of love and happiness, with strong family and personal values clearly enunciated by deed or word! And maybe therein lies the extraordinary appeal of this movie musical -- it is a story which emphasizes the worth of certain values in our lives, besides bringing us joy with its musical score and extraordinary perfomances!


Jo

[jo]

The town is Wilmslow in the UK.