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.
Orlando Bloom as the other young male lead was discussed as well.
I could see that, but does he sing?
D, you're loss, Man.
I don't just love musicals, i love THIS musical.
We're major Phantom freaks here. Son, me, whew boy.
The song Phantom of the Opera song Think of Me has new meaning for me now too, unfortunately.
Think Of Me
Think of me think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye.
Remember me once in a while -please promise me you'll try.
When you find that, once again, you long to take your heart back
and be free -
if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me
We never said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea -
but if you can still remember stop and think of me . . .
Think of all the things we've shared and seen -
don't think about the things which might have been . . .
Think of me, think of me waking, silent and resigned.
Imagine me, trying too hard to put you from my mind.
Recall those days look back on all those times,
think of the things we'll never do -
there will never be a day, when I won't think of you . .
Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade
They have their season, so do we
But please promise me that sometime you will think of me.
Wow, this is an OLD post you're responding to!
I did a search for Phantom of the Opera and it came up. :)
I was looking for something to keep me occupied, so i didn't feel so bad today.
I'm still trying to adjust.
LOL!
Man...I'd forgotten all about this thread. Not such a bad one to revisit...
If only for the pictures. :D
Are you trying to split my marriage up by digging up this old thing???? :D
*thud*
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