Posted on 05/16/2005 3:42:01 PM PDT by Cinnamon Girl
For those who never saw the musical, or the movie when it was released, the DVD is out now, and I recommend it. Very much. Number one because of this guy:
Scottish actor Gerard Butler, who I first saw on the DVD release of "Attila," cannot cover his Scottish brogue no matter how hard he tries (and why should he, really?) and the unfortunate truth is that, well, he isn't the strongest singer they could find, but he is a good actor and let's face it, he's hot.
I knew before seeing the DVD that Butler couldn't sing so well and that Schumacher and Andrew Lloyd Webber cast him for the other reasons mentioned, so I didn't have high expectations. But Butler is so intense, and it's such a dazzling film, and Emmy Rossum is such a fine singer, that it was all very appealing.
The look of the opera house was fascinating and elaborate as were the costumes, and especially intricate were the secret passages to the Phantom's cave-like home.
Emmy Rossum is remarkable. Isn't she 18? I like her voice because it's clear and strong but not opera-ish. And the two leads definitely expressed a chemistry which made their scenes together more powerful.
ATTENTION: *****(the following may sort of ruin certain aspects of the story for anyone who isn't totally familiar with it, so skip it, please!):
Some parts of the movie I didn't understand, like, why exactly was Christine's boyfriend, the visconte, better than the Phantom? If it hadn't been for one particularly hugely wrong incident which I didn't understand the motivation for anyway, what was so wrong with the man in the mask?
I cried my head off at the end, when the Phantom had an emotional revelation and then cried for his broken heart. That's when Butler's acting abilities really shined. You could see his face change as he considered what was happening, and his tears just flowed.
Minnie Driver's singing was looped. I guess it would have been too weird to loop the Phantom, but I'm not sure it would have been a bad idea.
Overall, I liked and maybe loved this film and recommend it, recognizing that guys may not care for it much or at all.
I think he ran out to get his sword.
Yes, you're right, but he just left her there, defenseless, while everybody is all screaming and scared that the Phantom has just shown up. If he really felt so threatened by the Phantom, why didn't he take her with?
We all laughed at that scene, altho I know he went to get his sword. I was too busy watching the Phanton walk down those stairs in that hot red suit. woooooooooooh
I don't know of any other actor who could have made the Phantom so loved even tho he was capable of murder and kidnapping.
Gerard was able to show the Phantoms evil side yet still seduce us, and Christine. You know she wanted him...lol she was just too young to know a man with a bad temper is always the better lover and protector than milquetoast.
That said, I think Emmy Rossum could become a major star.
Good examples. It was that "Plan Nine from Outer Space" silliness that distracted me from enjoying the film.
Combine silly song lyrics, 70s instrumentation, self-conscious sophomoric film editing, and a "trying too hard to be profound" storyline, and this is what you're left with....
I'd think the overly dramatic theater community would enjoy this film, though.
My DVD just came! My son loved the movie! I saw the movie and the play with Crawford.
Attila.
How not?
Think of me, think of me fondly, when you say Goodbyeeeeeeee
it was outstanding
Put it on Broadway and it would run for 10 years, though Baz seems to have a problem with the rights and financing issues
Here's a question: why did Miranda Richardson's character have a french accent but none of the other French people did? It wasn't necessary.
I used to drive a Scottish friend of mine crazy by asking him to say "univairrrrrsity" over and over again. :-)
Saw the musical twice in NYC on Broadway - the first time with the original Phantom - Michael Crawford - shortly after its Broadway debut. Saw it again in London years later. I have to admit - I liked each and every phantom in all four versions of the musical and/or movie I saw. If I had to vote for best Phantom in the musical though, I'd have to vote for Crawford.
Emmy Rossum is remarkable. Isn't she 18? I like her voice because it's clear and strong but not opera-ish.
I was absoutely stunned to learn she's 18 (or was in 2004). I've read that Andrew Lloyd Webber wanted the character of Christine to have a clear, strong yet sweet voice, without sounding too professionally "opera-ish", so Emmy was perfect for the part, IMHO.
As a child, Emmy Rossum sung at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in NYC, performing in over 20 operas in six different languages, alongside stars such as Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. Incredible resume for such a young age! Emmy Rossum bio - imdb.com
Well, it is just a movie (play).
The stage hand seemed to actually know the Phantom's secret. Or at least part of it.
Actually, the good part of the movie is that I understand more of what the play was about. I never had any exposure to Phantom before it was on stage in LA. Then all the co-workers were talking about it, so we went.
I think Phantom may be on stage in NY this summer. I'd like to find a way to go, if possible.
Race, YOU could play the Phantom... you have a nice voice! (for singing and radio)
:o)
I thought that was odd also. If memory serves me, in all three "Phantoms" I saw on B'way and in London... the casts had British accents.
Well, her character's name is "Madmae Giry" rather than "Mrs. Giry" or "Frau Giry" or "Signora Giri", so she oughta be French. As for other characters not being, I don't usually worry about such things in musicals if they're not outrageously absurd.
Most of the silliness I noticed was not a result of inattention to detail so much as it was a result of someone's deliberate decision to be silly.
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