Did you EVER think we would see this day?- Page 2
Did you EVER think we would see this day?
#25re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 12:10pm
How about Winslet as Rosabella?
Funny you say that...I was just thinking of Keira Knightly as Rosabella. I would love either.
robbiej
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#26re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 12:26pmI think you run into the same problem with Knightly as you do with Hathaway. They're just a titch too young for it not to be creepy. If Halle Berry could sing or act, she'd be perfect!
#27re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 12:36pmMy newspaper only gave Sweeney 2 1/2 stars- the same number for Walk Hard. I hope they are wrong. I'll just go watch and judge for myself. mom
#28re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 1:07pm
"Leave it to Ivan to turn this into smut."
Ha, those were my thoughts EXACTLY.
I am seeing SWEENEY today, and I am so incredibly anxious and excited that I simply cannot put it into words.
Supportivemom: The film is currently at 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, so it looks like your critic is in the minority. The New York Times today called it "something close to a masterpiece."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#29re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 1:13pm
The real Ivan and I saw it last night and it's pretty damn good. I give it an 8. The audience was packed. Mostly kids, but a few adults. Two girls were dressed as Sweeney and Lovett, and they did a pretty good job. I wanted to take their picture, but Ivan wouldn't let me.
I've never said this before, but I really want to see it again in theaters. I don't know if I can wait until DVD.
Seeing SWEENEY TODD, something that's so out there, on the big screen, is one of my dreams come true. I never thought it'd happen.
#30re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 1:42pmIt seems like yesterday that I sat in the, then, Uris theater and realized why I loved theater so much. I sat stunned, in a good way, for 15 minutes after the final "curtain" of Sweeney and had to be asked to leave.
regnad kcin
Leading Actor Joined: 8/26/05
#31re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 1:58pm
Although it gives us less excuse to be elitist 
, it is truly wonderful the art of musical theatre can reach the massess and that artists are using the cinema media to enhance or give an original take on the shows. Sweeney will hit people who don't like your "average" muiscal. My ex-boyfriend loved the stage show and I have a feeling my brother will love teh movie, and they are NOT your average musical fan.
#32re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 1:59pm
#33re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 2:23pm
Here's the scoop, in general...
Movie musicals aren't stage musicals, and that's actually a wonderful thing.
I love the idea of rethinking some of these shows, particularly older shows as "new" movies.
Sweeney (stage show) will never replace Sweeney (movie), and vice-versa. To quote Stewart Smiley: "And that's... OKAY."
Mister Matt, you're absolutely right that "Once On This Island" could make a beautiful film, and perhaps an animated one at that. Or perhaps there might be a cinematic device that would allow for the story to be told well with "live" actors. I definitely believe it's possible. Anything is possible on film, as long as there is a creative vision.
The best part about movie musicals adapted from stage shows, aside from existing on their own as works, is that they DO point audiences back to the source. Part of the reason we love West Side Story or The Sound of Music or Oliver! is because of the film... which very likely introduced the material to many of us initially. It's a strong reason why those shows are produced often to this day. I've no doubt that the film of Sweeney opening today will help to boost business for the National Tour, as well as encourage regional, community, and college productions in the next few years. That's a wonderful thing.
No, they're not the same. No, they can't compare to each other. But there is a definite ripple effect caused by a "good" film version of a stage show. Suddenly, people know what the hell you're talking about. And with a positive reaction to it!
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#34re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 2:44pm
Back to Most Happy Fella...
I also would consider Cate Blanchett or Gwyneth Paltrow for Rosabella. Gwyneth could sing it nicely too!
First choices---
Tony: Jack Nicholson
Rosabella: Cate Blanchett
Cleo: Renee Zellweger
Herman: Jake Gyllenhaal
Marie: Meryl Streep
Joe: Harry Connick Jr.
I'm already "standing on the corner" in line for a ticket!
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
robbiej
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#35re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 2:56pm
Oh Gwynnie...I like that.
Is Maggie Gyllenhal too quirky and husky-voice?
They really should have gotten hear and Jake for Tom and Laura in the MENAGERIE revival.
#36re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 3:01pm
Definitely for Tom and Laura!
The problem for me is that you'll have to lose Nicholson as Tony if you're going to cast the others THAT young.
Tony should realistically be in his early to mid-50s... but Jack is Jack... as long as Rosabella isn't 22, I think it could still work.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
robbiej
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#37re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 3:03pm
I also think Rosabella works best when she's got a little life on her. A couple of bruises. Maggie still is really young, isn't she?
#38re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 3:05pm
Yeah, too young. And you're right. She shouldn't have her "whole life ahead of her." It makes it less plausible that she'd go for Tony.
Gwyneth or Cate!
Maggie's too young. But I do like her!
Hey... If she can pull off the Brogue, how about Maggie as Meg in our fabulous film of "Brigadoon!"
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
robbiej
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#39re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 3:08pm
THAT'S fabulous.
OK...I can't believe I'm going to offer this name up. She's not the BEST actress. But she's a star. And can sing. And I'm all for non-traditional casting. But she is young (though she's been around so long, you feel like she should be hitting The Change any day now).
Beyonce.
#40re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 3:11pm
As Rosabella?
I LOVE IT! Yeah, except that she's not yet 30.
And Unka Jack jonesin' for her would just freak the people out.
Actually Audra would be great, but she's not a movie star, last time I checked.
EDIT: You know who I'd love to see in a movie musical? Will Smith. He'd be dynamite. If not this one, then maybe as Tommy in Brigadoon!
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
robbiej
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#41re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 3:50pm
Anika Noni Rose...who is almost a movie stuff...would also be lovely. But she does look fetus-aged. Black sho' nuff don't crack!
Will Smith in a musical. How bout Guys and Dolls?
JohnBoy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/06
#42re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 4:14pm
I couldn't hate the show more. I'd rather have Drano poured down my throat, than see this film. If the run-on, droning, mommy-make-it-stop noise that is supposed to be a musical score isn't bad enough, I'm about half-past give a crap on that tired old Goth look that Tim Burton is compelled to give everything he makes. I'll see it, like never. But, to your point, I guess I never did think I'd ever see the day when a film was made of it.
Updated On: 12/21/07 at 04:14 PM
#43re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 4:21pm
Okay, here we go...
Sky Masterson - Will Smith
Sarah Brown - Beyonce Knowles
Nathan Detroit - Jake Gyllenhaal
Adelaide - Reece Witherspoon
Nicely Nicely - Kevin James
Arvide Abernathy - Bill Cosby
Big Jule - Michael Clarke Duncan
Matilda B. Cartwright - Lilias White
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
roquat
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/25/05
#44re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 4:32pmI just saw SWEENEY. I can't say anything more, because I'm setting out right now to find Helena Bonham Carter and hurl her into an oven for RUINING MY FAVORITE SHOW!!!!!!!!!
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#45re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 5:29pm
I am so happy this thread survived and turned into a great discussion despite the attempts of austin/ivan to derail it.
I unexpectedly had the afternoon off and caught a matinee and most of it is just perfect. I can't tell you how many times I choked up just hearing the score (opening credits, going into the Johanna duet/city on fire scene and I bawled during Not While I'm Around.)
I did have a couple of major problems with the cast, most Depp and Bonham-Carter (he is pretty much one note, not too bad, but just not the depth that I think he is capable of. She is interesting to look at and has a couple of brilliant scenes, but vocally she just can't cut it and is just so lethargic. She totally lacks the drive and ambition that the character needs. ) Neither of these performances ruin the film, but it could have been perfect with a couple of other actors in those roles.
As for Most Happy Fella, I would like to see James Gandolfini take on THAT Tony.
#46re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 5:43pmSueleen- I have never seen Sweeney on stage- only an excerpt on the Tony's. I have never really heard the OCR either. Having said that and going in to this movie with no assumptions- will I enjoy it? (I know it's pathetic that I'm not that familiar with this show so I'm trying to dodge all the bullets being thrown at me now) mom
#47re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 5:53pmI think I'd be lost if I didn't already know the story. There's a lot the script skims over, or cuts out completely.
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#48re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 6:02pm
Oh, I think you can follow the story, I know the show so well I wondered how people off the street would react to the music. Some of it on first hearing, like most of Sondheim, is hard to appreciate. There are so many wonderful "songs" that some of the more complicated compositions might be hard for a novice to listen to.
I also think some of the diction, particularly Bonham-Carter, is a bit garbled. But I know every word of the score, so it did not bother me.
Mom, I am anxious to hear how a Sweeney virgin will view it. Be warned, though, it is VERY bloody. So if the kids are squeamish they might want to skip it.
#49re: Did you EVER think we would see this day?
Posted: 12/21/07 at 6:05pmThanks Sueleen- I have seen all the Saw movies so Sweeney can't be as bad as those!
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