The entire world has heard the name Hugh Jackman before, right? One of the best actors of our time, Jackman has been a part of some of the biggest franchises and films in cinematic history. Presently, you probably see his face plastered on posters on every corner and just about every other commercial on the television for his current box-office success, Deadpool and Wolverine. But it’s not his work in tight leather and spandex that brings us here today; instead, it is his other passion for acting and singing on Broadway and in some outstanding musicals throughout the years. That’s right; it turns out that Hugh Jackman is just as big of a theater nerd as the rest of us! In a blink-and-you-miss-it moment in the newest Marvel Studios film, there’s a reference to The Greatest Showman, leading me to rewatch the 20th Century Fox musical and share my review here!
Directed by Michael Gracey (Pink: All I Know so Far) and written by Jenny Bicks (Rio 2, What a Girl Wants) and Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Chicago, and director of upcoming Kiss of the Spider Woman), The Greatest Showman is based on the life of P.T. Barnum, one of the founders of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Jackman plays the larger-than-life Barnum, joined by an impressive cast of talented actors such as Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya.
When it was released in 2017, The Greatest Showman was an instant classic, and it is still one of my favorite musicals to turn on when I need a quick pick-me-up. Continue for a refresher on what happens inside the circus tent and my thoughts on this musical so many years later!
[Warning: spoilers from The Greatest Showman are below!]
Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum turns dreams into reality in The Greatest Showman
Life was incredibly difficult for young P.T. Barnum (Ellis Ruben), but that never stopped him from dreaming. As the son of a tailor for the rich, Barnum lives a meager life, but through his vast imagination, he finds excitement. There’s no end to his dreams for his future, hoping to build a life with Charity (Skylar Dunn). That is, he would have if her father hadn’t disapproved of his social status so much. He sends her off to finishing school, hoping to tamper the free spirit within her, but when she arrives back home, a lady, Charity (Michelle Williams) is still head over heels for P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman).
Together, the couple sets off to form a new life that isn’t glamorous but still full of love and happiness. They marry and have two adorable daughters; but, P.T. still desires more from his life. This desire for all the finer things, things that he believes he owes his wife and children, pushes him to make a big gamble and buy a wax museum.
Dilapidated and forgotten, he plans on bringing the museum back to life with a new attraction for people to gawk at. To boost sales, Barnum brings on some “freak” performers, such as Charles Stratton (Sam Humphrey), a dwarf man he dresses up, sibling acrobats Anne Wheeler (Zendaya) and W.D. Wheeler (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Lettie Lutz (Keala Settle), a bearded lady. Barnum hopes to garner attention and adoration from the world through the show of oddities, which couldn’t be further from the truth. The people of New York reject him and his “freaks,” so he has to pivot once again.
Cue Phillip Carlyle (Efron), a playwright and socialite who partners with Barnum to create a show that people can’t ignore. Hesitant to join the metaphorical madhouse, Phillip takes a giant leap away from the world he knows, hoping to make something special. Together, these two build the house of curiosities into a true circus, a destination of fantasy and wonder for families to escape their harsh realities. Barnum is finally seen as something more, but one bad review of his life’s work pushes him to achieve something more significant, which is when Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson) comes into the picture.
With the voice of an angel, Lind agrees to tour around North America on Barnum’s dime, shooting him to a new stratosphere. However, her growing feelings for him throw a wrench into his plan. When everything seems past the point of no return, Barnum has to choose between his family and the life they’ve built, or fame. It is a simple decision for many of us, but ambition and desire can make doing what’s right tricky. Does Barnum make the right choice?
A message of hope and love traverses P.T. Barnum’s story
What’s interesting about this review compared to others I’ve done is that it’s the first one I’m doing on a project that I’ve seen more times than I can count. Usually, when I’m looking at a project with fresh eyes, I can tease apart the aspects that I love and those I don’t. However, with this film, I know intimately, I found myself writing and rewriting this section repeatedly, with one thought running through my head: “Well, I love everything about this film.” While that thought encapsulates perfectly what I feel about The Greatest Showman, it doesn’t explain why this film is so great.
Take its story, for example, which explores a fascinating man who created a world he always dreamed about but was also incredibly flawed. He couldn’t see past his desire for greatness to assess the path of destruction he left in his wake. Everyone was collateral, and it wasn’t until he lost everything that he could see that.
The Greatest Showman is a story of success and hope because of the journey we watch P.T. Barnum go on. It isn’t just because he created one of the most recognizable circuses in America, possibly the world, at the time of his life. It’s because of the love and relationships he fostered. Furthermore, it’s the realization that success isn’t about the number in your bank account, but about the life you live with those you love.
You could nitpick the story, as I’m sure some holes could be poked in it. The Greatest Showman isn’t so perfect in its cinematic genius that it’s devoid of criticism; yet, my emotional attachment comes from seeing myself not just in Barnum but in every character in it. This story is about a group of misfits finding a home in a world that doesn’t like them. As a queer man, I can understand that. As someone who was once over 400 pounds, I can relate. As someone who has felt different because of who they are and what I look like, The Greatest Showman was about me. It was for me. So for that reason alone, I struggle to look at it purely as a critic because my emotional investment is too substantial to detach from. Perhaps this speaks to my inability to be subjective, but it’s also just as possible that it speaks to the strength of this story and its ability to touch those watching it.
The sum of its parts only makes The Greatest Showman greater
With the strength of its story, you may be thinking, what else could I possibly have to say about this 20th Century musical? Well, it seems silly to talk about The Greatest Showman without discussing what draws people to musicals in general: the music and those who bring the story to life on screen. The songs of this musical are nothing short of iconic, with each and every song being a total earworm. I remember the first time I watched this film; I couldn’t get the songs out of my head as each one attempted to dominate the other.
They resemble classic musical songs in tone and structure, which feels absolutely right for a film set in the early 19th century. While it could have pulled a Hamilton and told a story from the past with music from today, The Greatest Showman’s fairytale-like story is better told through the lens of yesteryear musicals. The work of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who won an Academy Award for their song “City of Stars” from La La Land, is infectious to say the least, with numbers that showcase every star in the film.
Standouts are “Rewrite the Stars,” sung by Zac Efron and Zendaya, accompanied by some intense choreography involving trapeze instruments, as the two dance around each other and their mutual feelings of affection. This song, and the storyline for that matter, explores the challenges of loving someone of a different social bracket and dating someone of a different color. This is woven throughout the story, but the love and desire between these two come to a head in the song, ending with both walking away, longing for more but thinking they can’t have it.
“From Now On” is an incredible ballad sung by Hugh Jackman and the ensemble at the lowest point in Barnum’s story. His circus has burnt down, and his wife and children have left to stay with her father. He has nothing to his name, and at that moment, among the “freaks” that have become his family, he realizes that he still has the entire world at his hands because of his familial connections. This song serves as the realization, making me cry every time.
Michelle Williams’ moment to shine is in “Tightrope,” where her character explores what it’s like to be on a journey of a lifetime from the sidelines. She understands her husband’s desire but struggles to remain silent and happy. Charity loved P.T. without the money and glamour; she loved their meager life more than the shiny objects he tried to provide later in The Greatest Showman. She’s feeling lost and conflicted but still in love with her husband, a struggle that is summed up perfectly in this song as she dances throughout their large and empty house.
Of course, how can we discuss The Greatest Showman’s music without mentioning the Oscar-nominated “This is Me” sung by the incomparable Keala Settle? This song has grown well past the movie it came from, as it speaks to being strong and confident in who you are despite what others think of you. This gained so much attention that it was remixed with Kesha and played on broadcast radio. It was the year’s anthem in many ways and essential for all empowering playlists. This song defined the film in so many ways that it makes sense that it has stuck in the minds of so many for so long.
Catch Hugh Jackman, Zendaya, Zac Efron and the rest of the cast in The Greatest Showman on Disney+
After almost 1800 words about how great The Greatest Showman is, it’s probably clear by now that I love it. It’s a strong film about family, love, and following your dreams. It doesn’t shy away from the negative aspects of this bold character, but instead highlights that there’s always a way forward, even when we mess up.
The message of hope is inspiring, and everyone I know who sees this film feels that deeply when they are done. I will switch this on when I need a story of acceptance and belonging. The Greatest Showman was a passion project for Jackman, who championed this film to be made from early on in its conception. If you haven’t seen The Greatest Showman, then the time is now, as it’s one of Jackman’s best works.
The Greatest Showman is streaming on Disney+. Have you seen this film? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or @boxseatbabes.
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