The Prom- The Netflix Movie

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

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.

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 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 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.

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.

Haven't people seen his Crosswalk Musicals?
Completely camp.

Watching this now. I'm not blown away but it's enjoyable, and if nothing else it's lovely to see and hear a new musical 😁

That is completely unfounded and shouldn’t start unfounded rumours on social media, including that he is secretly gay too.

In a day of colour-blind casting/sex-blind casting/sexuality-blind casting. So what if it is the other way round for once.

As for James Corden we British love to elevate a person with working class credentials, I.e. not born with a silver spoon in their mouth, then when they make it, give them a good kicking. James is going through a tough time at the moment with this, also thinking people like David Beckham, Victoria Beckham Wayne Rooney and Gordon Ramsey etc.

Corden went to regular schools but attended acting, singing and dancing classes in the evenings. Even if he wasn’t gay he was still the fat kid doing singing and dancing. Maybe this was overlooked by the school bullies, I hope it was, but it seems doubtful that he wouldn’t have experienced some degree of marginalisation. 

Quite Kathryn. There may be any number of people who have only ever seen him being a stand up guy and will only have good things to say about him, rather than being arrogant, bullish and believing his own hype. We are all only human, and if people tell you that you’re wonderful for long enough it must be very hard not to believe it.

This comes down to how you can separate the actor from the work they create.

I don't care if Corden has been an arse in other areas of his life. I do care if he gives a credible performance.

In this production, I think he was miscast. He did a reasonable job but not a spectacular one.

He was very impressive in One Man, Two Guv'nors. And I enjoy his Boardwalk Musicals.

He has some talents. But this role was beyond him. As I said before, I would have swapped him with Rannells and ignored the size of the actor who created the role.

Best thing I ever saw on Broadway! Ever! And I’ve seen over 70 shows over 20 years.