Yahoo News The Greatest Showman review – Circus or sideshow?
Hugh Jackman returns to his one true love, musicals, in The Greatest Showman – an all-singing, all-dancing retelling of the life of the legendary 19th-century American showman, PT Barnum.
Just as we imagine that visitors to Barnum's circus 150-odd years ago knew exactly what they were getting, this is a film with few surprises but a whole lot of spectacle.
Jackman takes the stage as Barnum, the titular 'Greatest Showman', who was born into a life of grinding poverty. But, with his infinitely patient and encouraging wife Charity (Michelle Williams) at his side, he built a fortune based on the biggest and most audacious variety show New York had ever seen.
Barnum gives a place for societal outcasts like 'Tom Thumb' and bearded lady Lettie Lutz (portrayed magnetically by Broadway star Keala Settle), and forms a successful partnership with high-society scion Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron) – but the arrival of opera singer Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson) threatens to lead him astray.
It is obvious just from watching the film that there is a heavy dose of fiction to this account of Barnum's life. "This is not really a biopic," Jackman told Digital Spy when we spoke to him, adding the Barnum quote (or, possibly, misquote), "Let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story."
But, despite the sometimes uncomfortable portrayal of Barnum's relationship with his 'oddities' on screen, history indicates that their bond was surprisingly close and less exploitative than you might think.
The comparisons to Moulin Rouge! are obvious, although Greatest Showman is not as stylised or audacious as the Baz Luhrmann classic. (Parents, however, will probably be happy not to have to explain the meanings of 'courtesan' and 'consumption' to their kids.) Showman's songs aren't remixes and covers, but all original, written by Oscar-winning La La Land composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
They were – unusually for a musical – still stuck in our heads the day after (particularly Efron/Zendaya duet 'Rewrite the Stars' and Lind's big number, 'Never Enough'). And while visually not quite up to the gloss of Moulin Rouge!, it's still an impressive first feature for advert director Michael Gracey.
The plot is... let's call it 'undemanding'. For anyone with even a basic understanding of narrative, each twist and turn is so clearly telegraphed that there's almost nothing here that is likely to surprise you. Again, this will probably help to keep it well within the 'suitable for the whole family' parameters, but it doesn't make for the most exciting viewing for film buffs.
The Greatest Showman looks instead to its all-star cast and some bombastic set pieces to keep us entertained. And to be honest, what sort of unfeeling monster could fail to be entertained watching Michelle Williams, Zac Efron (back after a nine-year break from musicals) and rising star Zendaya dancing and spinning across the screen? The film is surprisingly emotional too – *wipes away tear* – which we're putting down to the charisma of Williams, Jackman and their compatriots.
The Greatest Showman is a broad and solid crowd-pleaser, pleasant to look at if far from mentally taxing. It's likely to be a godsend to anyone who wants to go to the movies over Christmas but doesn't fancy Star Wars. We think PT Barnum would be pleased.
Director: Michael Gracey; Screenplay: Jenny Bicks, Bill Condon; Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson; Running time: 105 minutes; Certificate: PG
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