The Greatest Showman

11 March 2019

The Greatest Showman 2017

• Director: Michael Gracey
• Based on the novel: no
• Cast: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Keala Settle
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Hugh Jackman – X-Men Days of Future Past, Les Misérables, Australia, The Fountain, Kate and Leopold, X-Men
• Michelle Williams – Manchester by the Sea, My Week with Marilyn, Shutter Island, Brokeback Mountain, The Station Agent, The United States of Leland, A Thousand Acres
• Rebecca Ferguson – The Girl on the Train
• Why? Curious, and I like musicals
• Seen: 10 March 2019

             Hugh Jackman was a pleasant surprise as a singer in Les Misérables so let’s see how he does as P T Barnum.

       From poverty, unemployment and failed enterprises Phineas gets the idea from his young daughters to gather together real live human oddities, ‘unique persons’ – bearded lady, dog boy, Tom Thumb…. And the rest is history. Scorned by society, called a fraud, he becomes famous and wealthy. He disrespects and exploits his performers, including Jenny Lind, and neglects his loving wife and daughters. Everyone but Jenny Lind love him anyway and she loves him too but leaves him when he doesn’t love her back.

       Rather a dull story really. There is a bit of drama, but it is heavy going and the music isn’t strong enough to lift it. The cast does what it can with the material, and it has energy but little depth.

2 ½ * of 5