Director: Michael Gracey
Starring: Zendaya, Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron
‘A Mesmerizing Musical’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have the charisma of Zendaya. Ever since her rise to recognition during the 2000’s, Zendaya has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s tennis players, space scavengers or mischievous teenagers, the actress has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Zendaya’s best strength as an actress has always been her strong screen presence. She is one of those rare actresses that has always had an ability to elevate every movie she is in through her powerful presence. Zendaya has never been afraid of taking risks in her career by playing complex women which aren’t always likeable. Through her abilities to create strong women that audiences can easily relate to, Zendaya has become an actress that audiences value. An actress with strong commitment towards her craft, Zendaya has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout her strong career, the actress has made many powerful movies that are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of the actress and adore all the movies she has made in her career. However, “The Greatest Showman” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2017, Michael Gracey’s film has stood the test of time as a musical classic. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best musicals ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Zendaya, who embodies a circus performer seeking success in a tough profession causing a serious dilemma. Ultimately, what has made “The Greatest Showman” a music masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most musicals, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the commemorated musical genre to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of pursuing one’s dreams which would definitely resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing music masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “The Greatest Showman” is a commemorated movie that’s worth seeing.
“The Greatest Showman” tells the story of a circus performer seeking success in a tough industry. Hugh Jackman portrays P.T. Barnum, a showman seeking success in a competitive profession. From an early age, Barnum has a big dream of becoming a successful theatre showman. Barnum’s dreams come true when he is given the opportunities to manage his own circus show. Assisted by compassionate female assistant Anne Wheeler (Zendaya), Barnum seeks success in a tough profession. However, Barnum’s dreams of success are threatened by challenges of a job requiring intense pressure. As he discovers the harsh realities of being a circus performer, Barnum begins to wonder whether he will ever be able to achieve success. Faced with a dilemma, Barnum questions if it’s possible for him to achieve success in a profession that causes trauma.
Michael Gracey is a newcomer towards the musical genre. Before he had made “The Greatest Showman”, Gracey had never made a musical before. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to create a musical about a real-life showman, but he succeeded. Through bold cinematography, Gracey captures a circus performer embarking on a journey to find his identity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as gorgeous as circus acts that P.T. Barnum seeks to organize. Gracey deftly use a musical montages capturing a circus performer embarking on a journey to find his identity. For instance, montages elevate the million dreams musical sequence. During this memorable scene, P.T. Barnum expresses his dreams of becoming a circus performer by his melodies. Through montages, Gracey creates a compelling circus performer that audiences can relate to. Montages are tricky techniques to use in most movies. As Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” suggested, montages enhance movies about tennis lovers that are conflicted. Denis Villenueve’s “Dune Part Two” illustrated montages elevate sci fi films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through riveting visuals, Gracey captures hardships that circus performers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Greatest Showman” that deserves appreciation is the production-design. Inspired by Tim Burton’s “Big Fish”, Gracey effectively uses magical realism to create mesmerizing music scenes. Throughout the film, Gracey effectively uses magical realism to capture the lives of circus performers that stage musical numbers. For instance, magical realism elevates the Come Alive musical sequence. During this engaging scene, Barnum seeks to prepare his circus for a show that’s unforgettable. One appreciates magical realism capturing a performance that is compelling. Magical realism isn’t a simple technique to use in most movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” suggested, magical realism elevates musicals about Los Angeles. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. John Debney’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden circus performers bear. Through phenomenal production design, Gracey captures the lives of circus performers facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Greatest Showman” is a musical film which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture life of a circus performer. Gracey’s screenwriting strength is his ability to craft a compelling portrait of a circus entertainer by flashbacks. The film deftly switches back and forth between two timelines: flashbacks of Barnum’s childhood as an impoverished child and present-day scenes of his life as a circus performer. Through this ingenious flashback structure, Barnum created a strong character that audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in films. As Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” demonstrated, flashbacks enhance science fiction sequels. Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” suggested flashbacks elevate movies about intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, Gracey captures the lives of commemorated circus performers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Zendaya delivers one of her finest career performances as Anne Wheeler. Zendaya achieved appreciation for playing teens in high school dramas. With “The Greatest Showman”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a circus performer that seeks prosperity but she succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase her talent for composing melodies she hadn’t shown in her career before. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, depression and grief of a circus performer seeking success in an intense profession. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most beloved actresses in the industry today.
Hugh Jackman is extraordinary as a circus performer seeking success in a profession which causes tragedy. Jackman has always had an aptitude for singing melodies, and “The Greatest Showman” showcased his strengths as a performer. Whether he’s singing about his million dreams of attaining success as a circus performer or yearning for his past glory, he effectively uses his powerful voice to create a character that’s compelling. Jackman proved he could excel in a role far removed from his stereotypical image as the Wolverine. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest actors working today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Zac Efron. As a theatrical circus performer, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Greatest Showman” would gain the appreciation of everyone for capturing the life of a showman. Unlike most musicals, the movie tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses universal themes such as identity, marriage and trauma which resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the musical genre to appreciate it. It sends a meaningful message about the importance of pursuing one’s dreams which would definitely resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “The Greatest Showman” is one of the greatest musicals everyone would adore.
Fans of Zendaya will definitely appreciate “The Greatest Showman” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting music masterpiece, it honours an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking musical about circus performers seeking to be the greatest showmen in the world organizing shows that are captivating, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray compelling characters in engaging movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 