The Greatest Showman – A Movie Review

One of the best movies for the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018 is most definitely “The Greatest Showman“, starring Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve been to see it THREE times already with Martha. One of my greatest pleasures in life is forcing watching my children enjoy musicals like I do. We were lucky enough to see “Sound of Music” on the big screen, and went more than once to a sing-a-long of “Beauty and the Beast” last year. When the trailers for “The Greatest Showman” came out, I was pretty sure it would be a new family favorite. I was not wrong!

If you haven’t seen it, it’s the story of P.T. Barnum and his vision and desire to live outside the box of normal and hum-drum.. and his desire to be a great success. I’m fairly certain the movie is a very positive, highly fictional portrayal of the man. But the movie is so good, I mostly don’t care if it’s not as true as it could have been. Hugh Jackman is one of our favorite actors (the boys can’t see him as anything but Wolverine), and the man can sing! I never knew Michelle Williams could sing, but she does a fabulous job as well.

In the movie, Barnum is looking for a way to make it big, and he seemingly effortlessly invents show business with the odd, the macabre and the fantastical. He employs a bearded lady, a tall, tall man, a midget, a dog boy, and so many more to fill us a show. Albinos and tattoos and piercings.. and a trapeze team. It’s quite a menagerie of characters, and they all happen to be VERY good singers and dancers too! The story is of him seeking fortune and power, and what he’ll do to get it. It’s a story done right with funny and sad, shock and laugh out loud moments. And did I mention, VERY good singing.

The Music

Martha and I were discussing yesterday our favorite songs of the movie. It’s hard to pick a favorite really, but for sure the hit of the movie has been the now-Academy Award nominated “This is Me”, sung by Keala Settle who plays the bearded lady. I can’t listen to the song without tears, every time. Just writing about it make me choke up a bit. It’s an anthem for anyone who has felt outside of normal, has been bullied or let down, abused or unloved just for being them. I was surprised that more songs from this movie weren’t nominated for awards, but I was NOT surprised that this one was the breakaway song.

Before we saw the movie, I actually saw a now-famous video of Keala auditioning for the movie, singing this song. After watching the video, I wanted to leave that minute to see the movie. We had tickets for the next day, so I waited. It was worth the wait.

I recommend this movie to families, although smaller children might get a little bored during parts that are more story and less singing and dancing. If you have seen it, won’t you share your thoughts in the comments? And now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go listen to the soundtrack again!