IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Released: December 28, 2017
Director: Michael Gracey
Casts: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson
Category: musical, romance, drama
Rated: PG-13
P. T. Barnum and his troupe perform a show at the circus ("The Greatest Show"). In a flashback to Barnum's childhood where he and his father Philo, a tailor, work for the Hallett family, he becomes infatuated with their daughter, Charity. Though Charity is being sent to finishing school, Barnum reassures her they will not be separated. The two keep in touch through letters until they meet again in adulthood ("A Million Dreams"), eventually marrying and raising two daughters, Caroline and Helen, in New York City ("A Million Dreams" reprise). They live a humble life; though Charity is happy, Barnum dreams of more.
Barnum loses his job as a clerk at a shipping company after the company goes bankrupt. Taking a risky bet, he takes out a large loan from a bank, deceiving the bank into accepting his former employer's lost ships as collateral. He uses this loan to buy Barnum's American Museum in downtown Manhattan, an attraction showcasing various wax models. Initially, sales are slow; on the suggestion of his children to showcase something "alive", Barnum searches for "freaks" to serve as performers for his museum ("Come Alive"). This attracts a large audience despite protests and poor reviews, prompting Barnum to rename his venture "Barnum's Circus".
Searching for ways to further his reputation amongst the upper class, Barnum meets playwright Phillip Carlyle and convinces him to join his venture ("The Other Side"). Carlyle is enchanted with Anne Wheeler, an African-American trapeze artist, but he hides his feelings. During a trip Carlyle arranged for Barnum and his troupe to meet Queen Victoria, Barnum meets Jenny Lind, a famed Swedish singer, whom he convinces to perform in America, with him serving as her manager. Lind's first American performance is a rousing success ("Never Enough"). While Barnum gains favor with the aristocratic patrons, he begins to distance himself from his original troupe, refusing to socialize with them. Dejected, they decide to stand against their local harassers ("This Is Me").
The above taken from Wikipedia.
Finally watched this musical! Firstly, I love musicals! Secondly, I love watching musicals where the casts can actually sing! Except for Jenny Lind's part where I've just found out, 'Never enough' was sang by Loren Allred and not Rebecca Ferguson! All in all, the soundtracks were amazingly wonderful!
Alright, enough of exclamations LOL! The casts were rightly suited for the respective roles. They were splendid, making the movie so believable and me wishing I could swing from one end to the other while singing 'Rewrite the stars' with Zac Efron *fangirling sigh*
'This is me' was sang with much gusto and so right for that moment! It truly gave me goosebumps while watching them performing! So apt... I can definitely feel their pain and anguish! 'Never enough' was such a powerful ballad! Even the other songs were so suited for this movie... can't wait to download it on Spotify!
The story-line was definitely over-shadowed by the songs... some were predictable like when Jenny and Barnum went on tour, just had that hunch Jenny was up to no good. Also, Barnum's rise and fall was part and parcel of the plot. Overall, it was an amazing musical to watch and I definitely enjoyed it much!
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