The Greatest Showman lives up to its name

Scott
January 26, 2018
New Movie Reviews

Let me be honest up front and tell you that I am a fan of the musical and have Singing in the Rain high in my top ten movies of all time. Let me also be honest and tell you that last year I was deeply disappointed in La La Land regardless of all its recognition. So this year I reservedly selected The Greatest Showman as my Boxing Day special and was rewarded with a revival of all that is great about a musical. Catchy music, great dance routines, likable characters, a worthy story and of course a happy ending. From the musical catch that starts over the Production company credits I was hooked and by the time Hugh Jackman appears I was already tapping my feet. The story is loosely based on the life of the famous entertainer Phineas Taylor (PT) Barnum and his efforts to create on of the first circuses in America. The film shows him as a young boy and shows that even through hardship he is able to raise a family with a girl from a wealthy family (Michelle Williams), much to her parents regret. In creating a forum of entertainment Barnum collects an ensemble of 'freaks' including General Tom Thumb, the bearded lady as well as a giant, dog boy and a negro brother/sister trapeze act. This combination of oddities both repulses and enthralls the residents of New York while forging a sense of family for the performers who had previously been shunned for their special circumstances. The second half of the show focuses on Barnum's preoccupation with a famous Swedish singer, Jenny Lind, (Rebecca Ferguson) who he manages while conducting a huge tour of America. This sees Barnum neglect his family and his circus troupe until he is forced into financial ruin. Recognising that he has turned his back on those who mean so much to him he returns humbled and in true musical tradition everything comes together for a happy ending. While the story is cheesy and the facts thin on the ground I emerged from the movie full of joy and a genuine desire to watch it all again (I have now seen it three times). The soundtrack consists of upbeat foot stomping numbers that generate the excitement of the circus. There are songs that carry the story line whether it be romantic or inspiring but the anthem 'This is Me' led by Keala Settle as the bearded lady touches the heart as they defy anyone who will not accept them for what they are. The dancing is well choreographed with the trapeze setting for 'Rewrite the Stars' truly spectacular(Zac Efron and Zendaya). In some scenes the dancing seems too modern for the films setting but I loved the energy that came frequently throughout the movie. The mixture of music and narrative was well balanced and…

Darkest Hour (2018)

Scott
January 17, 2018
New Movie Reviews

Having recently watched John Lithgow play the role of Winston Churchill in the Netflix series 'The Crown' I was a bit apprehensive about how I would accept Gary Oldman's portrayal of the former British Prime Minister. Let me give you a response to that later....... This story focuses on the four week period in May 1940 that covers the appointment of Winston Churchill as British Prime Minister up to the time that the evacuation of Dunkirk commences. The Parliament, having lost confidence in Neville Chamberlain, seeks a new leader but much to the ruling party's despair the only person the opposition is willing to accept is Winston Churchill. With a poor war history, including overseeing the Gallipoli campaign, most of his colleagues don't rate his chances of stepping in and saving Britain from the possible Nazi invasion as high. Should he accept peace terms with Hitler or tough it out? We all know how it ends so there is no spoiler alert warning. The film itself felt as if the screen writer had gathered a whole lot of personal anecdotes, speeches and historical facts and thrown them together to make a patchwork of stories that were supposed to show Churchill's personality and character as he struggles against his own weaknesses and the enemies from within his own political party. While Churchill is the focus of the film, the stories have been drawn from his relationships with his wife Clemmie, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, King George VI played by our own Ben Mendelsohn and his personal secretary Elizabeth, portrayed by Lily James. I found the supporting characters very wooden with those opposing Churchill portrayed as untrustworthy scoundrels straight out of an old Sherlock Holmes movie while those who support him as very tolerant and forgiving of his heavy drinking and rudeness. To me Churchill came across as the unwelcome uncle who attends family gatherings and upsets everyone with his lack of social skills but is generally allowed to attend because he can tell funny jokes every now and then. There are interesting anecdotes showing his popularity with the people as well as the lack of respect from his peers and of course his rousing speeches were used for patriotic effect. However for much of the film I felt that he was portrayed as a doddering alcoholic and it made me wonder how Britain fought off the Germans to keep their independence during the Second World War The awards buzz is that Gary Oldman is a good chance to win an Oscar for his portrayal as Churchill. Personally I did not see his portrayal as worthy of the recognition he has received so far. The make up and prosthetics made him look like Churchill, and from film clips I have seen of the wartime Churchill he was able to copy his mannerisms and speech, However I…