Rick K
Joined Jan 2000
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Reviews14
Rick K's rating
First, what it is and what it is not: It is a very good rendition of the story and play, with different emphasis providing more depth. It is not is an attempt to replicate the stage play. Those are both positive statements, as much as I loved the Broadway version with Crawford and Brightman.
Like many reviewers I too was enchanted with the way the film opened and transitioned from gray Paris 1919 to the colorful story itself. Those were some very effective special effects. And getting to see the older Vicomte de Chagny's passion, you felt his loss along with him. Can that really be Patrick Wilson under that makeup as the old man? Wow.
I agree with endymion82's observation that the cast and director didn't try to out-do Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman - perhaps neither advisable nor possible - but instead provided their own interpretation of the roles. In comparison (which is nearly irrelevant unless you've seen the stage version) I felt Emmy Rossum gave a much more youthful-exuberance pitch to the role, quite a bit more unsure of herself and who is really on her side. I found that aspect of the role very intriguing and that it gave a new dimension. True, Gerard Butler is no Michael Crawford, but then he does give the role a rather more "human" aspect (Michael being such a towering figure) and you realize that as the movie points out, "he is after all just a man." It is much like the more human portrayal that Antonio Banderas gave as Che in the film version of "Evita." Somehow by not being smooth and pitch-perfect trained singers both he and Butler added depth and color to their respective roles, along with credibility.
Patrick Wilson as Raoul was fine, alternately supportive and tender with Christine and brave and daring when needed. Of course Miranda Richardson is so capable an actress, giving just the right shading to her character. Minnie Driver was simply fun to watch as Carlotta.
I found it very helpful to see the background fill-in bits, where we got to see how it was the Phantom was rescued and given his place in the Opera House, as well as the backstory of Madame Giry and her relationship with Christine. I understood more of the characters and their actions and interactions as a result.
The denouement of the story - the final scene with Christine and the Phantom in the underground - was quite moving. I felt as much here as the stage version, which is to say I was just as emotionally affected.
In all, I'd say it is definitely a very good, worthy version of the story and also of the stage play. 9/10 if only because the singing was slightly less than brilliant, except for Emmy Rossum's sublime and sweet performance. Worth seeing, indeed worth seeing more than once. There are not a lot of films these days that good.
Like many reviewers I too was enchanted with the way the film opened and transitioned from gray Paris 1919 to the colorful story itself. Those were some very effective special effects. And getting to see the older Vicomte de Chagny's passion, you felt his loss along with him. Can that really be Patrick Wilson under that makeup as the old man? Wow.
I agree with endymion82's observation that the cast and director didn't try to out-do Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman - perhaps neither advisable nor possible - but instead provided their own interpretation of the roles. In comparison (which is nearly irrelevant unless you've seen the stage version) I felt Emmy Rossum gave a much more youthful-exuberance pitch to the role, quite a bit more unsure of herself and who is really on her side. I found that aspect of the role very intriguing and that it gave a new dimension. True, Gerard Butler is no Michael Crawford, but then he does give the role a rather more "human" aspect (Michael being such a towering figure) and you realize that as the movie points out, "he is after all just a man." It is much like the more human portrayal that Antonio Banderas gave as Che in the film version of "Evita." Somehow by not being smooth and pitch-perfect trained singers both he and Butler added depth and color to their respective roles, along with credibility.
Patrick Wilson as Raoul was fine, alternately supportive and tender with Christine and brave and daring when needed. Of course Miranda Richardson is so capable an actress, giving just the right shading to her character. Minnie Driver was simply fun to watch as Carlotta.
I found it very helpful to see the background fill-in bits, where we got to see how it was the Phantom was rescued and given his place in the Opera House, as well as the backstory of Madame Giry and her relationship with Christine. I understood more of the characters and their actions and interactions as a result.
The denouement of the story - the final scene with Christine and the Phantom in the underground - was quite moving. I felt as much here as the stage version, which is to say I was just as emotionally affected.
In all, I'd say it is definitely a very good, worthy version of the story and also of the stage play. 9/10 if only because the singing was slightly less than brilliant, except for Emmy Rossum's sublime and sweet performance. Worth seeing, indeed worth seeing more than once. There are not a lot of films these days that good.
I read several of the comments here and some were so good (such as the one from Bob the Moo) I hesitated to add my "2 cents worth." I'm not sure what words have not already been used - brilliant, charming, amusing, wonderfully inventive, enjoyable. Creative masterpiece isn't going too far, I don't think.
Let me add that I'm a mature adult (very mature!) and like some others I wasn't sure I'd like this based on the concept and cover art. But I was totally captivated by it from the opening number.
What seems to me to be the most remarkable aspect is how this appeals to an inner core inside all of us. It operates on a subtle and almost sublime level for me - it captivates my imagination and carries it along. There are many details to enjoy on subsequent viewings, all of which simply add to the surreal enchantment.
The music and lyrics are simply remarkable. Don't be surprised to find yourself humming a few bars from them the next day. One other thing I enjoyed is that unlike many popular songs the lyrics are never blanketed by overwrought orchestrations. You can quite literally hear and understand every word of the songs - and such clever lyrics they are. They add so much to the story and the understanding of the characters, more so than almost any other film.
It's hard to find enough positive words for this - I gave it 10, the only 10 I've given out. You will love it ~!
(And a special thank you to Rusty Cat for introducing me to this film.)
Let me add that I'm a mature adult (very mature!) and like some others I wasn't sure I'd like this based on the concept and cover art. But I was totally captivated by it from the opening number.
What seems to me to be the most remarkable aspect is how this appeals to an inner core inside all of us. It operates on a subtle and almost sublime level for me - it captivates my imagination and carries it along. There are many details to enjoy on subsequent viewings, all of which simply add to the surreal enchantment.
The music and lyrics are simply remarkable. Don't be surprised to find yourself humming a few bars from them the next day. One other thing I enjoyed is that unlike many popular songs the lyrics are never blanketed by overwrought orchestrations. You can quite literally hear and understand every word of the songs - and such clever lyrics they are. They add so much to the story and the understanding of the characters, more so than almost any other film.
It's hard to find enough positive words for this - I gave it 10, the only 10 I've given out. You will love it ~!
(And a special thank you to Rusty Cat for introducing me to this film.)