"The noblest art is that of making others happy"
Watching The Greatest Showman on the not-so-best of days - best decision of my life.
Alright, alright, that may or may not be the immediate hangover of watching this spectacular film onscreen, but whatever.
A musical that weaves the story of a family which rose from rags to riches. But that is only the film simply put, because it is so much more than that.
The Greatest Showman begins with the endearing story of a loving family, the central character being Phineas T. Barnum, one of the pioneers of the circus.
Beware, this film is going to put a huge smile on your face, with a few tears in between, and it is going to make you rediscover the child in you, to see the world untainted once again, and to shake a leg, because the tunes are so groovy.
Regardless of whether you witness the magic unfold alone or with family, if you are prepared to suspend your disbelief for a couple of hours, you shall be rewarded. For those of you who still soak in the big screen experience more than Torrent downloads, the magic is manifold. You will be in danger of floating on a happy cloud even after exiting the theatre, mind you. Don't do anything stupid, atleast until you get home.
Then, of course, there is the beauty of music replacing actual dialogues, reflecting on life and offering touching, even practical insights. While "The Greatest Show" conveys the overall celebratory mood of this film, tracks like "A Million Dreams", "This is Me" and "From Now On" are inspiring, "Come Alive" is rejuvenating, and the list does not end there.
The whole cast deserve applause for their hard work, as creating a musical such as this is no joke, but the amazing Hugh Jackman, as P.T.Barnum, steals the show. For any child who knows their priorities in life, such a father would be the biggest hero.
As Bennet finally, grudgingly admits, another critic might even call The Barnum Circus, "a celebration of humanity." How wonderfully put. That is exactly what Barnum does too - he brings together a bunch of outcasts and gives them a family. But he is human too, and the glamour and glitter do blind him temporarily, but that only makes the tale relatable and gives it a touch of reality.
As Philip said, "...Now all that is left is friendship, love, and work I adore.You brought joy into my life." That is exactly what the movie did for me, and I hope it is the same for everyone of you who go and watch it in theatres this befitting, festive season.
Go watch it before it leaves theatres. Go, go, go.
As Lettie put it, even if it was just to make a buck, Barnum gave these performers a true family which they didn't want to give up on. So even if some of the crew became part of this film only for the money, I don't care. The end product is so beautiful, and I am in awe of their teamwork and dedication.
Here are some beautiful lines to keep in mind from different tracks in the album:
"..Every night I lie in bed
The brightest colours fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake..
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make..." (A Million Dreams)
It sounds so much better when you listen to the actual song, so go ahead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSQk-4fddDI
-----
"..But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day
Sun is up and the colour's blinding
Take the world and redefine it
Leave behind your narrow mind
You'll never be the same.
Come alive, come alive
Go and ride your light
Let it burn so bright
Reaching up
To the sky.." (Come Alive)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURBlSYPmBU
-----
"..When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me.
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me.." (This is Me, described as an "Anthem for Outcasts")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEJd2RyGm8Q
-----
"...A man learns who is there for him
When the glitter fades and the walls won't hold
'Cause from then, rubble
What remains
Can only be what's true
If all was lost
Is more I gain
Cause it led me back..
To you." (From Now On)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW2FUY3N-n0
-----
And then not too soon comes the reality check. Sigh.
Alright, alright, that may or may not be the immediate hangover of watching this spectacular film onscreen, but whatever.
A musical that weaves the story of a family which rose from rags to riches. But that is only the film simply put, because it is so much more than that.
The Greatest Showman begins with the endearing story of a loving family, the central character being Phineas T. Barnum, one of the pioneers of the circus.
Beware, this film is going to put a huge smile on your face, with a few tears in between, and it is going to make you rediscover the child in you, to see the world untainted once again, and to shake a leg, because the tunes are so groovy.
Regardless of whether you witness the magic unfold alone or with family, if you are prepared to suspend your disbelief for a couple of hours, you shall be rewarded. For those of you who still soak in the big screen experience more than Torrent downloads, the magic is manifold. You will be in danger of floating on a happy cloud even after exiting the theatre, mind you. Don't do anything stupid, atleast until you get home.
Then, of course, there is the beauty of music replacing actual dialogues, reflecting on life and offering touching, even practical insights. While "The Greatest Show" conveys the overall celebratory mood of this film, tracks like "A Million Dreams", "This is Me" and "From Now On" are inspiring, "Come Alive" is rejuvenating, and the list does not end there.
The whole cast deserve applause for their hard work, as creating a musical such as this is no joke, but the amazing Hugh Jackman, as P.T.Barnum, steals the show. For any child who knows their priorities in life, such a father would be the biggest hero.
As Bennet finally, grudgingly admits, another critic might even call The Barnum Circus, "a celebration of humanity." How wonderfully put. That is exactly what Barnum does too - he brings together a bunch of outcasts and gives them a family. But he is human too, and the glamour and glitter do blind him temporarily, but that only makes the tale relatable and gives it a touch of reality.
As Philip said, "...Now all that is left is friendship, love, and work I adore.You brought joy into my life." That is exactly what the movie did for me, and I hope it is the same for everyone of you who go and watch it in theatres this befitting, festive season.
Go watch it before it leaves theatres. Go, go, go.
As Lettie put it, even if it was just to make a buck, Barnum gave these performers a true family which they didn't want to give up on. So even if some of the crew became part of this film only for the money, I don't care. The end product is so beautiful, and I am in awe of their teamwork and dedication.
Here are some beautiful lines to keep in mind from different tracks in the album:
"..Every night I lie in bed
The brightest colours fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake..
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make..." (A Million Dreams)
It sounds so much better when you listen to the actual song, so go ahead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSQk-4fddDI
-----
"..But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day
Sun is up and the colour's blinding
Take the world and redefine it
Leave behind your narrow mind
You'll never be the same.
Come alive, come alive
Go and ride your light
Let it burn so bright
Reaching up
To the sky.." (Come Alive)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURBlSYPmBU
-----
"..When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me.
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me.." (This is Me, described as an "Anthem for Outcasts")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEJd2RyGm8Q
-----
"...A man learns who is there for him
When the glitter fades and the walls won't hold
'Cause from then, rubble
What remains
Can only be what's true
If all was lost
Is more I gain
Cause it led me back..
To you." (From Now On)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW2FUY3N-n0
-----
And then not too soon comes the reality check. Sigh.
Very insightful review, dear Aiswarya. What remains for me to say more?
ReplyDeleteWhat remains
Can only be what's true
If all was lost...
Thank you, sir!
ReplyDelete