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Post by anthony40 on Dec 11, 2020 21:11:30 GMT
I forgot to reference the wonderful Kevin Chamberlin (Uncle Fester in Addams Family -Broadway) as the befuddled and bemused manager.
A small part but loved him too!
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Post by poster J on Dec 12, 2020 0:57:08 GMT
Well I thought on the whole this was fabulous, the perfect tonic at the end of a dreadful year.
Loved Meryl and Nicole, thought Kerry Washington was great, as was Keegan Michael Key, and James Corden was not as bad as I feared once I managed to ignore the constantly changing and awful accent. I found Andrew Rannells annoying but I suspect the character is written like that.
The film belongs to Jo Ellen Pellman and Ariana DeBose though, they are both exceptional.
My only real complaint is that there wasn't enough of them, compared to a bit too much Meryl and far too much Corden (and also the camera work in the finale was far too busy to fully appreciate the choreography). But again my guess is the show is written that way as it is the story of their attempt at good publicity. It's a shame, as the scenes Pellman and DeBose had together were huge highlights.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 12, 2020 8:06:55 GMT
I thought this was great and I'll be recommendeding it to friends.
I'm looking forward to listening to the different recordings over the next few days and I'll watch it again in a month or so.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Dec 12, 2020 11:08:24 GMT
Considering that it didn't do great on Broadway I'm not sure if there will ever be a West End production, but if so Hannah Waddingham and Gavin Spokes would be fantastic as Dee Dee and Barry
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 12, 2020 11:38:00 GMT
Considering that it didn't do great on Broadway I'm not sure if there will ever be a West End production, but if so Hannah Waddingham and Gavin Spokes would be fantastic as Dee Dee and Barry It had a year on Broadway, which is longer than some things we've had transfer. I think a lot rides on how successful the Netflix film is. Fully agree Gavin Spokes would be fun, as would Hannah. Joanna Riding or Mazz Murray also a good shout for DeeDee
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Post by Mark on Dec 12, 2020 16:34:21 GMT
If not the West End, the hopeful exposure and success from Netflix could pave the way for a UK tour in the next few years.
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Post by david on Dec 12, 2020 16:43:06 GMT
If 2020 ever need an uplifting feel good film then Ryan Murphy has delivered it with The Prom. A fantastic cast with great musical numbers and wonderful choreography that puts a big smile on your face by the end credits. I just hope that the film gets plenty of nods come awards season next year as there are plenty of contenders to pick up the prizes. 5 stars.
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Post by musicalmarge on Dec 13, 2020 4:18:06 GMT
Considering that it didn't do great on Broadway I'm not sure if there will ever be a West End production, but if so Hannah Waddingham and Gavin Spokes would be fantastic as Dee Dee and Barry Everything in life is about TIMING. This film musical is now STRATOSPHERIC!!!!!!! The National tour starts in the US in 2021 and will now SELL OUT. Just like Hairspray this musical is going to get bigger and bigger AND will be performed MANY times in the UK Wait and see!!!
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Post by poster J on Dec 13, 2020 8:35:34 GMT
Considering that it didn't do great on Broadway I'm not sure if there will ever be a West End production, but if so Hannah Waddingham and Gavin Spokes would be fantastic as Dee Dee and Barry Everything in life is about TIMING. This film musical is now STRATOSPHERIC!!!!!!! The National tour starts in the US in 2021 and will now SELL OUT. Just like Hairspray this musical is going to get bigger and bigger AND will be performed MANY times in the UK Wait and see!!! I wouldn't get too excited, it's only number 13 in the UK Netflix rankings. It was always going to be more of a success in the US, it's a very American theme for a universal story. I'd be surprised if it comes over here, except perhaps to Southwark or the Menier. Pleased if it does become a bigger success here, but surprised.
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Post by anthony40 on Dec 13, 2020 12:50:57 GMT
Anyone know if, in time, this may be released on DVD/Blu-Ray?
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 13, 2020 14:49:12 GMT
Anyone know if, in time, this may be released on DVD/Blu-Ray? Based on other netflix films that also get cinema releases (like Roma) it should do
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Post by viserys on Dec 13, 2020 17:38:23 GMT
Well, count me among those who loved it. Very uplifting and warm-hearted and while the music was a bit generic, it did work well and I loved the little insider nods to musical theatre (could have done with less of the product placement though, especially that ham-fisted bit of Corden driving past a McDonalds in his prom limo).
What gets me now is that I could have seen it on Broadway (twice even) and didn't even bother to look into it (i.e. read a full synopsis or listen to the music), I just wasn't interested at all because the American Prom thing is alien to me and the short blurb of the story didn't sound particularly appealing either. Which makes me realize how much I'm part of the problem that I struggle to give things a go, that aren't either based on a familiar movie or book or has a starry name in it. Now I'd definitely be up for seeing it live on stage as I think all these big dance numbers will be fabulous - and they really wouldn't work in a place like Southwark. Maybe it's a slow-burn on Netflix, but I hope it will get enough exposure and popularity for them to consider a West End production...
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Post by iamamazing on Dec 13, 2020 23:48:46 GMT
I’m watching it for the second time today I’m in love with it such a beautiful film with a beautiful story. I hope and pray that a producer in the UK the Will tour or produce it in London, i think a run at the other palace would be awesome for this :-)
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Post by showgirl on Dec 14, 2020 4:20:17 GMT
I'd have loved to see this despite the comments about the casting of James Corden. However, it only stayed in (London) Curzons - & maybe other cinemas - for a week so I had no chance and won't be able to see it at all now unless it receives a further, wider cinematic release - shame.
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Post by danb on Dec 14, 2020 6:04:07 GMT
I'd have loved to see this despite the comments about the casting of James Corden. However, it only stayed in (London) Curzons - & maybe other cinemas - for a week so I had no chance and won't be able to see it at all now unless it receives a further, wider cinematic release - shame. ...or borrowed the netflix account of a kind friend?
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Post by poster J on Dec 14, 2020 7:01:01 GMT
I'd have loved to see this despite the comments about the casting of James Corden. However, it only stayed in (London) Curzons - & maybe other cinemas - for a week so I had no chance and won't be able to see it at all now unless it receives a further, wider cinematic release - shame. Why not pay for a month of Netflix then cancel?
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Post by JJShaw on Dec 14, 2020 22:01:35 GMT
Watched it tonight and I'd say it was very nice. Nothing spectacular and certainly not a train wreck.
I was familiar with two songs and the general plot but not much more, it felt very American is the way to describe it (not a bad thing, but the language and coming out, if you compare it to say Everybody's Talking About Jamie, the treatment of characters and accepting yourself and such if very different and I prefer it but I am British so it's just what I'm used to. Some of The Prom felt a bit saccharine at times but I fully understand that for some young people that is the story they need to be told.)
I watched with a friend who loved the broadway production who could help me with some Q's about changes, she said very little was changed from stage to screen which is nice to hear, and funnily enough while watching Andrew Rannells' song I said to her that I would have reversed the order of Love Thy Neighbor and Alyssa's song, which is actually how it plays out on stage (Alyssa's song then LTN) how funny that even watching a movie sometimes you just know the dramaturgy of shows!!
Nice songs, loved Nicole Kidman and Kerry Washington, Meryl and Keenan were great, Andrew was great in a rather bizarrely sized role (Same with Nicole but she got more chances to flesh out her character). I didn't take offense to James Corden's portrayal but I certainly grimaced every time he opened his mouth to start with that awful accent. His singing was fine.
Apologies I forgot her name but the actress playing Emma was lovely! Very warm on screen, very Drew Barrymore. The pacing of the film felt a bit wonky at times and moved so quickly I couldn't quite get really invested in what was happening since we just zipped from scene to scene (sorry zazzed!) I did absolutely loathe and despise the constant blue/pink colour motif that was so obnoxious throughout the film, the lighting the costumes the little sofas in the mall it was just bizarre!
Certainly a positive step forward in getting movie musicals a good reputation back, personally after the flat disappointment of Into the Woods I thought Chicago and Hairspray were flukes but this does show that you can do them well.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Dec 14, 2020 23:47:33 GMT
I enjoyed this, liked it but didn't love it . It's fun and I was entertain until the end.
I thought all the actors were very good including James Corden. Don't really get all the bad press about his performance. He was funny and played his part really well imho.
Some nice if unmemorable songs. I felt that the book was a bit weak, it has the heart in the right place but the situations created are a bit cliché.
Overall nothing to write home about, but a pleasant enough way of spending a couple of hours.
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Post by showgirl on Dec 16, 2020 4:41:43 GMT
danb and poster J TY for the suggestions re Netflix and I thought someone would suggest this. Nope! I don't have a tv; haven't watched tv for about 30 years; have only a small laptop & no plans or wish to resume watching at home anything which I would normally see in a cinema or theatre. Plus I don't know anyone who does have these gadgets or subscriptions but my choice so I'll hope for more cinematic releases in the new year, both locally and in London if/when the latter drops back to tier 2.
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Post by dazzerlump on Dec 16, 2020 8:46:56 GMT
I hope we get an extended version available at some point with the full versions of the songs. Having seen a promotional post on insta they clearly filmed more of the acceptance song.
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Post by poster J on Dec 16, 2020 11:42:10 GMT
I hope we get an extended version available at some point with the full versions of the songs. Having seen a promotional post on insta they clearly filmed more of the acceptance song. The full version of You Happened is on the soundtrack and was clearly also filmed as it is a pretty awkward cut in the film. Such a shame they cut the verse with Alyssa and Emma as the two don't get enough screen time together in the film and the two actresses are great so I doubt it was because the scene didn't work. I hope it'll be a deleted scene and end up on YouTube at some point.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 18, 2020 23:46:57 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed it but it would have loved it if they had switched Corden and Rannells round.
There are some decent tunes, some winning performances and Meryl having the time of her life.
As a director, I would love to get my hands on the stage version. I think there is more emotion to be found.
Still very glad they made it
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Post by kathryn on Dec 19, 2020 21:16:46 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed it but it would have loved it if they had switched Corden and Rannells round. That would have worked! I guess they were influenced by the original Broadway casting (‘no, the gay character is fat!! He has to be fat!’ He can’t be attractive, he has to be sad and fat!’) and didn’t think of it. Corden has that youth group ring-leader attitude that would have really sold him for the big number in the mall.
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Post by noboiscout on Dec 27, 2020 17:20:02 GMT
Three of my theatre 'boyfriends' rubbished this. I have to say that I really enjoyed it. For those Netflixers put off by the poor reviews from the critics, I'd say give it a go.
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Post by alece10 on Dec 27, 2020 17:29:45 GMT
Wanted to watch this as a Christmas treat so watched it last night. Thoroughly enjoyed it and really liked many of the musical numbers. Fantastic dance numbers too. Great cast and I had no problem at all with James Cordon. Great fun.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2020 20:49:53 GMT
I really enjoyed it, and despite the negative press, thought Corden was good in the role. Him playing gay didn't bother me at all. But what James should never ever be allowed to do again, is play an American. That accent was shocking. Why just not make British?
I haven't seen the stage version, but I was surprised by how little screen time the 2 girls got, given that the plot revolves around them.
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Post by poster J on Dec 27, 2020 21:47:34 GMT
I haven't seen the stage version, but I was surprised by how little screen time the 2 girls got, given that the plot revolves around them. That annoyed me, particularly as their verse of one of the songs is in full on the soundtrack but not in the film. They deserved so much more character development and focus, particularly because Jo Ellen Pellman and Ariana DeBose are really good and entirely believable as a couple. Too much Meryl and Corden, too little of the main couple.
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Post by jojo on Jan 1, 2021 9:53:12 GMT
I really enjoyed this, and it exceeded my limited expectations. I didn't know much about it, except for the trailer and some chatter. It was just the tonic for a between Christmas and New Year watch, without being too sickly sweet. I liked that it poked fun at the narcissism of the Broadway stars, and by extension, the trite nature of some celebrity activism, which helped to ground the story and stopped it coming across as being a one way attack on small town people being backwards and small minded etc. The overall plot was predictable, but it didn't matter, as there were enough jokes and good music to keep me entertained. I really enjoyed it, and despite the negative press, thought Corden was good in the role. Him playing gay didn't bother me at all. But what James should never ever be allowed to do again, is play an American. That accent was shocking. Why just not make British? I haven't seen the stage version, but I was surprised by how little screen time the 2 girls got, given that the plot revolves around them. I tend to ignore complaints about Corden, because he seems to be one of those people that it's acceptable to hate, often for tenuous reasons. There are some fair reasons for criticising him and his work, but far too much seems rooted in a resentment that he's successful whilst simultaneously being fat, and I can't help but think that many of those not saying that part out loud are thinking it, or have been influenced by those who do. I spent years having a go at the idiots who claimed that gay men couldn't or shouldn't play straight, especially if it's a romantic lead or action hero, so I struggle with the more recent trend expecting gay characters to be played by gay actors. That feels like a backwards step to me and is painting gay actors into a smaller corner than straight ones. IMO, we should be pushing for gay actors to have better acceptance and be allowed to use their acting skills to act the full range of roles, rather than trying to compensate for historical prejudice by erecting new barriers. I know it's a bit more complicated than that, but so long as actual gay people are involved in the process of telling 'gay stories', particularly the writing and creative aspects, I feel that should be enough. I'm a straight woman, and knowing little about the story or stage version, had no preconceived ideas about how the part should be played, but accent aside, his portrayal felt to be in keeping with the script, and if critics felt he played the role too camp for their liking, then I'd be asking questions of the director first. Yes, it was a bit of a cliché, but when the script involves a lesbian needing the help of a gay man to go shopping, that cliché is in the writing.
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Post by kathryn on Jan 1, 2021 10:29:29 GMT
I always suspect there’s some fat phobia going on with the Corden hatred. The frequency with which the phrase ‘fat ****’ is directed at him on social media is eyebrow-raising.
The role was originated on Broadway by a gay actor, and that’s the origin of the campiness. My criticism is that I think Corden is basically replicating that performance - because it must be ok if a gay actor has defined the campiness of the character, right? - and as a result it doesn’t quite feel authentic. But it’s not parodic, it’s not making the character the butt of the joke, and it’s not ‘bad’ - it’s a competent performance. It’s just that it could be better.
Totally agree that trying to restrict parts by sexuality is self-defeating. There are far more opportunities for gay actors to ply straight characters than for straight actors to play gay ones. And we rightly have no idea what goes on in most actors’ private lives - we shouldn’t be demanding that gay actors out themselves to get work, and then limiting the work they can get because they are out.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Jan 1, 2021 15:55:55 GMT
I always suspect there’s some fat phobia going on with the Corden hatred. The frequency with which the phrase ‘fat ****’ is directed at him on social media is eyebrow-raising. The role was originated on Broadway by a gay actor, and that’s the origin of the campiness. My criticism is that I think Corden is basically replicating that performance - because it must be ok if a gay actor has defined the campiness of the character, right? - and as a result it doesn’t quite feel authentic. But it’s not parodic, it’s not making the character the butt of the joke, and it’s not ‘bad’ - it’s a competent performance. It’s just that it could be better. Totally agree that trying to restrict parts by sexuality is self-defeating. There are far more opportunities for gay actors to ply straight characters than for straight actors to play gay ones. And we rightly have no idea what goes on in most actors’ private lives - we shouldn’t be demanding that gay actors out themselves to get work, and then limiting the work they can get because they are out. I completely agree with both posts regarding not limiting gay actors playing straight and vice versa, and also with the sentiment that there is general Corden hatred which is leaking into reviews. But I think the issue with Corden in this instance is different, and justified. The original raw material from the Prom musical is a really wonderful and genuine (and yes, campy) exploration of a middle aged gay man who rediscovers himself through the relationship he strikes up with a troubled teenage gay girl and the freedoms she experiences compared to what he never did. The nuance of this, and - IMO - the heart of the story, is lost when it's played by someone like Corden who is a laddish straight man who's made a career from mainly playing himself - whether that's in a role (e.g. Gavin & Stacey) or as a presenter. It's not necessarily the fact that Barry is being played by a straight actor for me (although, granted, it seems to be for some people) but the fact he's being played by someone who we all know is not camp, not gay, and not familiar with any of the issues Barry has had to face. So any time he has to portray any of the meaningful beats in the movie, it comes across as fake and forced. I know there are counter arguments about what an actor does and the suspension of disbelief, but I'd feel the same if someone widely known for being naturally camp and playing gay - say Sean Hayes - was suddenly cast as a serious laddish straight character. It would feel fake. It would feel put on. And, honestly, casting directors just wouldn't do it because unless he gave the performance of his life it would immediately take you out of the movie. That's the issue I have with Corden here. And it leaps out more than usual because the whole message of the movie is acceptance, and the changing attitudes towards gay people. The lack of authenticity in its lead gay role feels at odds with what the material sets out to do.
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