DEAR EVAN HANSEN Movie Musical - News & Discussion Thread- Page 44

[FirstNighter2]

Posted: 9/26/21 at 2:30pm

Ouch.

Outside of Amy Adams and Julianne Moore, very little of this worked for me. So glad someone else mentioned the overwrought-ness of Platt’s performance. The tears and the bulging veins took me right out of the piece, as well. I, too, was left thinking “he’s really really going for that Oscar.”


I saw Platt on stage twice and what I found moving the first time, I found mannered and manipulative the second. I walked away from the second performance wondering if he is the wonder kid the hype made him out to be. The movie told me he isn’t. He’s talented, of course. But, well, he really should have let someone else do the movie.

All my opinion, of course. Worth nothing more than that. And nothing too different from what the bulk of folks are saying. But when it was all over I said, “P.U.” out loud to the three other people in the theatre.

Updated On: 9/26/21 at 02:30 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 9/26/21 at 2:34pm

Another piece from Deadline asking if the film should've gone straight to streaming, etc.

https://deadline.com/2021/09/dear-evan-hansen-bombs-at-the-box-office-streaming-1234844609/

 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 4:48am

Updated On: 9/27/21 at 04:48 AM

[BwayStarlette]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 10:16am

The story is wrong. Reprehensible. Ben Platt is too old. And somehow I loved it.

[beatofthedrum27]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 3:35pm

Finally got to see the film yesterday and it was definitely an experience.

First, let me just go ahead and say, I loved it!!!

Despite the plot's problems, I really do love the musical and now the film as well.

Yes there were problems, but I think the main reason people are liking the film is because they're going to the film comparing it to the musical (or they just hate the show overall which is okay too as that's their opinion). 

While I understand why "Anybody Have A Map" was cut, I wish they would've found another way to get to understand Connor's character more because he REALLYYYYYY becomes a background character in the film. 

Ben Platt's age wasn't really a problem unless you really sat there and thought about it. But Julianne Moore (as much as I love her) looked too old to be a high schoolers mother or be in the part of a woman's life that Heidi is in. On top of this, I just don't feel that she was right for the role in general. I was really hoping that they would've casted RBJ but I get it that they wanted a "name", but Moore shouldn't have been cast. Her performance is at most passable until it gets to "So Big/So Small". That whole song was so awkward. You can tell she doesn't know how to act through song. But I digress.

Changing Larry to the step-father was pretty unnecessary. I guess it added bigger problems or drama for the Murphy Family but despite a few lines, it wouldn't had made a difference if they just said he was the bio father.

I've seen a lot of people criticizing Kaitlyn Dever's portrayal of Zoe. I LOVEDDDDDD what she did with the role. I felt like her and Ben had great chemistry. Her "Requiem" was so heartbreaking.

I love how they brought Alana deeper into the story but also showed that her and Evan were pretty similar throughout the whole film. I loved the new song for Connor at the end. Nik was HILARIOUS and added just the right amount of comedic relief.

I, personally, loved Adams's Cynthia.

Platt was good. There were some differences in his performance between the film and broadway but I don't know how much that was him and how much it was direction.

But yea. Overall, I really enjoyed it.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 4:05pm

Changing Larry to the step-father was pretty unnecessary. I guess it added bigger problems or drama for the Murphy Family but despite a few lines, it wouldn't had made a difference if they just said he was the bio father.

I assumed they did that to add a POC to the movie because the stage show is white as hell. Which is a good thing, Danny Pino is very handsome and did well in the role. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 4:09pm

Sutton Ross said: "Changing Larry to the step-father was pretty unnecessary. I guess it added bigger problems or drama for the Murphy Family but despite a few lines, it wouldn't had made a difference if they just said he was the bio father.

I assumed they did that to add a POCto the movie because the stage show is white as hell. Which is a good thing, Danny Pino is very handsome and did well in the role."

Which is also why Jared Kleinman became Jared Kalwani - Nik Dodani is of Indian descent and the film absolutely HAD to be more diverse. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 4:12pm

100%. I loved the OG cast on stage, don't get me wrong, but afterwards I was like "Jesus Christ, that was the whitest show I've seen in a LONG time".

Definitely necessary. 

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 2:04am

I just saw this today and there is something from the original I don't remember.

Does the stage production address Evan's mental illness as heavily as the film? Including being specifically on Zoloft, Ativan, etc.

[bear88]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 2:51am

I don’t believe so, though someone should correct me if I’m wrong. I think that was part of the new-for-the-film scene between Evan and Alana. I don’t think specific references to medications were included in the original musical.

But it’s been more than 4 years since I saw it.

[bear88]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 2:51am

Double post

Updated On: 9/28/21 at 02:51 AM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 3:31am

Another notable change in the movie: Not only is Jared, Evan's ''family friend,'' a person of color, he's gay (and played by out comedian Nik Dodani). Jared also jokes that Connor's parents may think Evan and Connor were lovers.

In a recent article, Slate.com asks: ''Do You Think Evan Hansen Was Gay? You Are Not Alone.'' It explores why folks might think so, and why members of the LGBTQ community can identify with Evan's sense of isolation. 

Slate.com adds: ''it’s unfair to say that to watch Dear Evan Hansen and find gay subtext is like reading tea leaves for a hidden sign. Frankly, it’s not even subtext; it’s just text. There’s actually a Dear Evan Hansen tie-in novel from the show’s creators (don’t you just love capitalism?), which offers more plot and backstory about the musical’s characters. It turns out that Connor had a relationship with a male classmate and was in the process of figuring out his “fluid” sexuality; we just never get to see it onstage.''

https://slate.com/culture/2021/09/dear-evan-hansen-gay-plot-musical.html

Updated On: 9/28/21 at 03:31 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 4:53am

But that doesn't mean that context existed in the rehearsal room...only that they are (possibly) pandering to their audience.

[BJR]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 7:44am

MichelleCraig said: "Another piece from Deadline asking if the film should've gone straight to streaming, etc.

https://deadline.com/2021/09/dear-evan-hansen-bombs-at-the-box-office-streaming-1234844609/

"

I hate these kinds of articles. Bad apple picking facts to present a doom and gloom portrait, especially when the author seems to not understand that there isn't a single genre that is garaunteed critical success, even if some have better track records for box office success. It's written like someone who has never made an actual artistic project before, as if it's just finding the right popular IP, throwing money at it and picking a director who you think will be the right will garauntee success. ("Why didn't Rent or Phantom or Dear Evan Hansen or Cats do better????" Uh because they weren't good. It's not complicated.)

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 9:48am

bear88 said: "I don’t believe so, though someone should correct me if I’m wrong. I think that was part of the new-for-the-film scene between Evan and Alana. I don’t think specific references to medications were included in the original musical.

But it’s been more than 4 years since I saw it."

I just thought watching the film that Alana could have been more sympathetic in the end, knowing exactly all the stuff Evan was on. 

There is a big gap between someone who is on at least three different medications for mental illness and a high schooler with social anxiety. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 11:43am

Jordan Levinson said: "Sutton Ross said: "Changing Larry to the step-father was pretty unnecessary. I guess it added bigger problems or drama for the Murphy Family but despite a few lines, it wouldn't had made a difference if they just said he was the bio father.

I assumed they did that to add a POCto the movie because the stage show is white as hell. Which is a good thing, Danny Pino is very handsome and did well in the role."

Which is also why Jared Kleinman became Jared Kalwani - Nik Dodani is of Indian descent and the film absolutely HAD to be more diverse."

They should have just gone for it and made the Murphy family Latinx.

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 12:04pm

All these "that show was white as hell" comments. Geez, listen to yourselves. Imagine a show or movie with a cast that is mostly Black, Asian or some other ethnicity and people complaining "Boy that was just too Black/Asian/whatever." You'd call that person a racist, correctly. Thus...

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 12:10pm

Did anyone see the screening at the Regal Union Square RPX with free drinks and buffet? They had DEH notepads available after the movie.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 12:28pm

HeyMrMusic said: "Jordan Levinson said: "Sutton Ross said: "Changing Larry to the step-father was pretty unnecessary. I guess it added bigger problems or drama for the Murphy Family but despite a few lines, it wouldn't had made a difference if they just said he was the bio father.

I assumed they did that to add a POCto the movie because the stage show is white as hell. Which is a good thing, Danny Pino is very handsome and did well in the role."

Which is also why Jared Kleinman became Jared Kalwani - Nik Dodani is of Indian descent and the film absolutely HAD to be more diverse."

They should have just gone for it and made the Murphy familyLatinx."

Ivan Hernandez who played Larry prior to the shutdown and will return to the role when the show reopens is Latinx. There have been people of color who have played each role in the show in some form with the exception of Heidi Hansen as far as I know. 

Updated On: 9/28/21 at 12:28 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 12:32pm

joevitus said: "All these "that show was white as hell" comments. Geez, listen to yourselves. Imagine a show or movie with a cast that ismostly Black, Asian or some other ethnicity and people complaining "Boy that was just too Black/Asian/whatever." You'd call that person a racist, correctly. Thus..."

Lol no. Audiences of color have had to watch all-white casts since theatre began. We’re allowed to call out shows that have casts/creative teams/crews that are unnecessarily white, especially in 2021. If you’re expecting us to relate to what’s on the stage, there needs to be representation. Shows with all-Black, Asian, Latinx etc. casts are usually built that way because the story is about those specific groups of people. So if you’re saying Dear Evan Hansen is specifically about white people, then go for it, but we’re going to call it out for being a show about white people problems and privilege. The token role of Alana is just that, a token role. Glad they made her more of a person in the movie.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 12:34pm

Thank you Mr. Music, that is as basic as it it gets in terms of understanding under-representation of POC for generations. 

Ivan Hernandez who played Larry prior to the shutdown and will return to the role when the show reopens is Latinx. There have been people of color who have played each role in the show in some form with the exception of Heidi Hansen as far as I know. 

That's awesome, but I was referring to the original broadway cast, which is who I saw. 

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 12:35pm

ClumsyDude15 said: "HeyMrMusic said: "Jordan Levinson said: "Sutton Ross said: "Changing Larry to the step-father was pretty unnecessary. I guess it added bigger problems or drama for the Murphy Family but despite a few lines, it wouldn't had made a difference if they just said he was the bio father.

I assumed they did that to add a POCto the movie because the stage show is white as hell. Which is a good thing, Danny Pino is very handsome and did well in the role."

Which is also why Jared Kleinman became Jared Kalwani - Nik Dodani is of Indian descent and the film absolutely HAD to be more diverse."

They should have just gone for it and made the Murphy familyLatinx."

Ivan Hernandez who played Larry prior to the shutdown and will return to the role when the show reopens is Latinx. There have been people of color who have played each role in the show in some form with the exception of Heidi Hansen as far as I know."

That’s great, and I love to see that. I meant to say because Larry is Latino, we don’t need to have an explanation that he’s a stepfather, and also it would be cool to have seen Latinx representation in the film with his children. But yeah, there didn’t need to be added drama with him being a stepfather, it seemed like an unnecessary, er, step.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 12:46pm

HeyMrMusic said: "ClumsyDude15 said: "HeyMrMusic said: "Jordan Levinson said: "Sutton Ross said: "Changing Larry to the step-father was pretty unnecessary. I guess it added bigger problems or drama for the Murphy Family but despite a few lines, it wouldn't had made a difference if they just said he was the bio father.

I assumed they did that to add a POCto the movie because the stage show is white as hell. Which is a good thing, Danny Pino is very handsome and did well in the role."

Which is also why Jared Kleinman became Jared Kalwani - Nik Dodani is of Indian descent and the film absolutely HAD to be more diverse."

They should have just gone for it and made the Murphy familyLatinx."

Ivan Hernandez who played Larry prior to the shutdown and will return to the role when the show reopens is Latinx. There have been people of color who have played each role in the show in some form with the exception of Heidi Hansen as far as I know."

That’s great, and I love to see that. I meant to say because Larry is Latino, we don’t need to have an explanation that he’s a stepfather, and also it would be cool to have seen Latinx representation in the film with his children. But yeah, there didn’t need to be added drama with him being a stepfather, it seemed like an unnecessary, er, step. "

HeyMrMusic, it should also be noted that Linedy Genao will also be one of the Zoe understudies on B'way upon reopening. More Latinx representation indeed. 

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 12:52pm

MrMusic - OH, duh. Sorry about that. I got my wires crossed somewhere and got that mixed up with another comment somewhere. You're right, the Larry being the stepfather change was odd, but I loved Danny Pino in the role. Even without To Break In A Glove (which can we get a deluxe edition soundtrack featuring him singing it, please?) he really did a beautiful job of making us feel for Larry. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 1:11pm

HeyMrMusic said: "joevitus said: "All these "that show was white as hell" comments. Geez, listen to yourselves. Imagine a show or movie with a cast that ismostly Black, Asian or some other ethnicity and people complaining "Boy that was just too Black/Asian/whatever." You'd call that person a racist, correctly. Thus..."

Lol no.Audiences of color have had to watch all-white casts since theatre began. We’re allowed to call out shows that have casts/creative teams/crews that are unnecessarily white, especially in 2021. If you’re expecting us to relate to what’s on the stage, there needs to be representation. Shows with all-Black, Asian, Latinx etc. castsare usually built that way because the story is about those specific groups of people. So if you’resaying Dear Evan Hansen is specifically about white people, then go for it, but we’re going to call it out for being a show about white people problems and privilege. The token role of Alana is just that, a token role. Glad they made her more of a person in the movie."

LOL yes. And not so great doing the "us vs. you" thing. But it works both ways, or all groups need to be as tolerant as they expect others to be, including seeing shows where they are not the predominately featured group.