"The Greatest Showman" Review

The first time I saw the show "Newsies" in New York City, I was hooked. The dancing, the storyline, the characters, and the energy were incredible to witness. But what stuck with me the most was the music. Music is the soul of a story, but songs can be even more important. Songs tell the audience everything the characters are feeling and continues the narrative in exciting, funny, sad, romantic, or inspirational ways. The songs of "The Greatest Showman" were all of that and more.

These songs, written by Benj Hasek and Justin Paul, captured the essence of story for me. Since "Newsies" I hadn't heard a soundtrack that encapsulated both the story and my interest in such an energetic and heartfelt way. I had heard three songs before the release, but when I saw the film, I admit, the first (full) song of the movie, "A Million Dreams," brought tears to my eyes. Showing the struggles of the young P.T. Barnum mixed with his lofty aspirations was quite heart-wrenching and definitely showed how he came to be seen as an underhanded entrepreneur.

The idea of Barnum (Hugh Jackman) being portrayed as a con-artist was strongly played upon in the film. Historically, he was absolutely an entrepreneur. As a poor young boy into adulthood, he made money wherever and whenever he could. A true commonality between the film Barnum and the real Barnum though is that he definitely enjoyed what he was doing.

A key point the film addresses is the racial boundaries that separated certain characters back in the 1800s and the idea that being different or weird made a person unacceptable in society. I loved seeing this so purposefully portrayed in the film because it is, unfortunately, still subtly present in our current times, no matter what anybody says. But it was enlightening to see this and hear empowering songs along with it, such as Golden Globe Award Winning (Best Original Song) "This is Me".

In reality, I had no idea what to expect from this film apart from the story of P.T. Barnum's circus. I had no idea that I would walk away with some things much more profound than just another film. Accept people for who they are; Don't let the fact that you are different scare you from being you. With hard work, you can make your dreams come true; And so much more.

---- Olivia ----