Hugh Jackman is as complete a package as you can get in Hollywood. Not only can he dance, sing and act, but he also possesses levels of nice-guy charisma most A-listers can only dream of. It's no shock then that this glitzy musical employs him to play the eponymous circus pioneer P.T. Barnum, an ambitious dreamer who pushes social boundaries to deliver a theatrical extravaganza others couldn't even imagine. Centring around Barnum's use of outcasts and "oddities" to draw in crowds, the film has a quirky edge to its otherwise mainstream appeal; the traditional song-and-dance numbers are smattered with colourful characters (and a smidge of offbeat humour) to keep it fresh. The musical sequences are impressively choreographed and often very affecting, the most memorable being the show stopping "This Is Me" led by Keala Settle as Bearded Lady Lettie Lutz, closely followed by "The Other Side", a clever two-hander between Jackman and Zac Efron. Jackman is clearly in his element belting out tunes and dancing up a storm, but he's also given wonderful support from all involved, including Efron as his plucky apprentice, Michelle Williams as his super-patient wife, and Zendaya as a racially vilified trapeze artist. The movie succeeds a lot less as a biography though; Barnum's rise amidst risky business ventures and family sacrifices is touched upon but never explored, missing an opportunity to delve deep into the life of a clearly intriguing person. It might be a little too conventional to convert those who aren't fans of the genre, but with a charming cast, splendid set pieces and sweet-natured vibe, The Greatest Showman is a pleasingly fun and accessible musical.
Review of The Greatest Showman
