"The Fantasticks" movie

Love it? Hate it?

I'm trying to watch it as a MOVIE, and not as the stage show... and it's much better than I thought it would be.

A lot of it has to do with Jonathan Tunick's gorgeous, lush orchestrations, also the casting. I think Joe McIntyre and Jean Louisa Kelly are terrific. Great voices for this material too. They're not just "getting by." They're really doing it, and in such a charming way.

And the outdoor locations are photographed beautifully. Those big, open skies, with the surreal set pieces. It feels like an old-school musical.

For people who are craving this kind of entertainment... what do you all think?

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LOL.

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I did not hate it...and I spent years with the original off-Broadway production.

It's beautifully shot, great Tunick orchestrations, and doesn't drift too far from the original. I think its a little jarring NOT having "Try to Remember" open the film, but it probably wouldn't have played as well as it does in the stage version.

The authors originally wanted the show to be a "huge" production with lots of cowboys and indians! Hahaha.

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Good to see you here, Tom!

I'm glad they didn't open the movie up TOO far (with cowboys and Indians!)...

I just wish the producing team hadn't been so EMBARRASSED to release a musical movie that was old-fashioned in spirit and intent.

It's actually very charming... even if it's not quite there.

I'm very impressed with the talent of the young leads, particularly.


EDIT: Roquat---I think I agree with you.

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Updated On: 9/21/08 at 08:13 PM

I like "Abductions", but I think the Off-Broadway revival really solved the issue with the new lyrics for "It Depends on What You Pay." Now we get the original song and PC lyrics -- it's much more satisfying for me.