The Greatest Showman

Zac Efron and Hugh Jackman toast their great chemistry in The Greatest Showman

Michael Gracey's The Greatest Showman strikes me as the most effective Hollywood musical in some time. Compared to the overly somber tone and punchless affect of Rob Marshall and Bill Condon's efforts in this genre, Gracey's color and dynamism are a welcome respite. The story, of course, is pure Hollywood hooey (here Barnum leads a proto Rainbow coalition), but Gracey succeeds in making the musical numbers sparkle and sing. Hugh Jackman stars as Barnum and it is nice that he has, before his clock runs out, found a musical project suited to his talents. Michelle Williams sings and dances more than adequately as his missus. Rebecca Ferguson, as Jenny Lind, sucks the energy out of the film when she appears, but both Zac Efron and Zendaya are effective as the secondary lovers. I was pleasantly surprised. (7/3/18)

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