The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman is a barnstorming extravaganza of a musical film that was released in 2017. Directed by Michael Gracey and produced by 20th Century Fox, it stars a wonderful ensemble cast that includes renowned actors like Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, and Zendaya.

At the heart of the film lies Hugh Jackman’s explosive portrayal of P.T. Barnum - an individual fueled by ambitious dreams and charismatic showmanship. The role is a massive departure from Jackman’s customary heroic roles and offers a refreshingly complex, imperfect protagonist that audiences can relate to. Also worth noting is the fact that the Australian actor performs his own singing and dancing, further enhancing the authenticity and appeal.

The film begins with the story of P.T. Barnum's struggling childhood as the son of a tailor, providing an insightful look into his early life. As he trods the path to adulthood, we see him fall in love with Charity (Michelle Williams), truly highlighting the class disparity. The romantic storyline between Barnum and Charity is poignant, narrating a tale of unconditional commitment and sincerity while her portrayal as a supportive wife adds depth to the film.

Zac Efron’s role as Phillip Carlyle, an upper-class playwright who becomes Barnum's business partner, makes for an interesting subplot and adds more dimension to the story. His budding relationship with the trapeze artist, Anne Wheeler (Zendaya), is marked by beautiful chemistry and playful banter while tackling the substantial social issues of class and race, further enabling the film to strike a balance between entertainment and social commentary.

The triumphant endeavor to transform a wax museum into a curiosity-circus that eventually becomes the legendary "Barnum's American Museum" forms the central plot, laying the foundation to the birth of modern show business. Furthermore, his relentless pursuit of the 'freakish' and the 'extraordinary' is appealing and, in many respects, unveils the reality behind societal otherness and bias.

The Genius of The Greatest Showman also lies in its spectacular music and heart-stirring choreography. Penned by the talented songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the original songs in the film have an uplifting pop-vibe but are also deeply resonant, including the Golden Globe-winning ”This is Me.” The joyous and powerful musical numbers provide an emotional microcosm of the film, interspersed with the plot and character development, magnifying each scene's emotional beats.

The set designs are lavish and the visuals are stunning, creating a marvellous spectacle in every scene. Particularly, the circus scenes embody a vibrant and raw energy with enthralling performances that are utterly captivating for the viewers. The cinematography and editing create the perfect milieu for an extravaganza of this sort.

However, beneath all the exhilaration and razzmatazz, the film does not shy away from portraying an honest view of Barnum's dream. It cleverly unravels Barnum's multi-faceted personality - the entrepreneur, the loving husband, the desperate dreamer, the flawed man whose obsession with success causes him to lose sight of what’s truly important, his tendency to exploit the vulnerabilities of the ‘rare’ individuals – painting a picture that is both inspiring and empathetic.

The Greatest Showman is a celebration of creativity, individuality, and ambition. But what truly sets it apart is its unequaled ambivalence with which it retells Barnum's story. It's an exuberant mash-up of innovative storytelling, original music, fantastic performances, and salient social commentary all artfully woven into the fabric of P.T. Barnum’s intriguing life story.

For viewers who appreciate music and the less-explored aspects of history and for those who enjoy a roaring underdog tale with a lot of heart, The Greatest Showman is the perfect watch. After all, the film leaves you grappling with the subjective nature of what really constitutes a ‘great show.’ Is it the inclusion of the outrageous and the strange, or is it the redefinition of societal normalcy, or perhaps it’s the ability to entertain, enthrall, and evoke emotions all at once? The film encourages you to make that decision for yourself.