The Greatest Showman

Thanks for this, Cyia - this is the most informative thing I've read about this film.

The Kid and I have been thinking of going (because Hugh Jackman + dramatic musical numbers), but I suspect I'll find the narrative lacking. Still - she was impressed by the previews, because she didn't know Wolverine could sing, so it might make for a fun afternoon.

Just saw this thread -- I thought the movie was kind of terrible. Aside from the problematic glossing over/around Barnum's issues, the plot was thin, shallow, the characters undeveloped, the whole narrative wanting and the writing (in the book sense) groan-worthy. The never-aging father-in-law (Michelle Williams' character's father) was fucking hilarious and bizarre (it's a big-budget studio film ffs, they couldn't stick him in a makeup chair for a couple hours? Start with a younger actor? He was in like four scenes or so total.).

However, even with all of that, the songs were catchy, the cinematography was beautiful, the design really well-done and oddly theatre-like, and the whole thing was just fun, mostly carried by Jackman, but much of the cast seemed to quite enjoy themselves, in the manner of the film version of Mamma Mia!, like actors at summer camp putting on a cheesy show for the heck of it, because they just like to sing and dance around. I'd watch it again, because it was just... fun.