The Greatest Showman Review - An Inspiring Story of Love and Ambition
When The Greatest Showman came out, people could not stop talking about how captivating it was. Everything from the story to the visuals down to the soundtrack exceeded people's expectations. And soon enough, it started bagging awards and nominations, including the Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and Saturn Awards. But why was it such a hit?
Recapping the Greatest Showman - Everything from the Lows to the Highs
Show business would not be the same without P.T. Barnum. So, when Hugh Jackman got the chance to portray this iconic character in a movie, he was game. Here's how the plot went down.
Barnum, like many people in the 19th Century, came from humble beginnings where people were trying to build their lives. He pushed through these setbacks and started working as a shipping clerk. Everything seemed to be going great for him until his employer's cargo vessels went down in a typhoon.
The Birth of the Museum of Oddities
Grappling with the loss of his job, he could not help but wonder what else he could do to earn a living. After all, life wasn't just about him. Instead, he also had a wife and two daughters to think about. Barnum had been lucky to marry Charity Hallett, a role played by Michelle Williams. While Charity had come from a well-off family that did not look upon Barnum kindly, she genuinely loved him. In fact, she was happy with things as they were, choosing to focus on her growing family and keeping the hope alive.
But a happy home was not enough for Barnum. He wanted more. So, he took a loan from the bank and opened a museum of oddities such as wax figures. The idea flopped. However, his daughters pushed him to introduce “something alive” that would draw the crowds. And decided to do this with people whose unique traits had been shunned by society.
From Failure to Success: The Birth of the Show
With recruits like the Bearded Lady (played by Keala Settle), who had incredible vocals as well as General Tom Thumb (played by Sam Humphrey), the show became a success. People came from far and wide, and soon enough, Barnum got a partner, Phillip (Zac Efron), whose role was to make the show the go-to in New York's crème-de-la-crème. It worked. As the show raved on, Phillip found himself entangled with Anne Wheeler, a trapeze artist. With societal stereotypes of interracial couples in full force, the two-faced quite a number of issues.
The Quest for Respect: Jenny Lind and High Society
Despite the popularity of the show and the financial success, Barnum still wanted more - specifically, he wanted respect from high society. So, he sought an opera singer, Jenny Lind (played by Rebecca Ferguson), to further attract this hard-to-reach audience. Slowly, his live shows became less about the unique characters stigmatized by society and more about catering to the high society and their refined tastes. But things soon come to a head when his space catches fire. At this moment, Barnum has to face the reality of his ambition and what it has cost him, especially when his daughter reminds him of the value of family, including the talented performers who made the show a success.
Returning to Roots: Embracing Diversity and Family
Barnum realizes the error of his ways and goes back to his roots, which were all about celebrating the uniqueness of individual traits. He soon turns the show into a travelling circus where the goal is to encourage diversity rather than seek approval from people. He even gets back together with his wife, having realized that core values matter more than tours with his artists.
The Top Soundtracks
The music in this movie drives the message home, especially in the following heart-tugging scenes:
- This is me. When the Bearded Lady, aka Lettie Lutz, sings this song, it's in direct response to the rejection that people like her have faced in society. It's an anthem that talks about the need for self-acceptance and strength.
- A million dreams. Barnum's story encapsulates his struggles in childhood, his ambitions as an adult, and his love for Charity. This song captures all these moments, setting the stage for why Barnum was so invested in getting more despite the hurdles in his way.
- Never enough. All through Barnum's life, he has been an outsider. This song, performed by Jenny Lind, talks about the desire for more. It reflects how Barnum is willing to keep going harder and harder just to be famous and to finally get the approval of a society that he has never truly belonged to.
- The other side. Phillip (Zac Efron) comes from high society, and his partnership with Barnum is thus a change in scenery. This duet, performed by Barnum and Phillip, further shows the gap between their societies as Barnum does his best to encourage and excite his partner about the potential prospects of this partnership.
And finally, we have Rewrite the Stars, a duet by Anne Wheeler and Phillip, which explores the barriers to relationships in the face of societal stereotypes. All in all, the visuals and soundtracks further bring out the heartwarming nature of this inspiring yet educational storyline.