"Hooper says he hopes the results of the live-singing deliver those "spine-tingling moments" he appreciated when he saw the stage show"
I hope that too. Because everything is recorded live, it's like recording a show, a live performance, it's essential to have magnificent singers.
The crystal clear high Cosette-note at the end of "A heart full of love" is what made my spine tingle.
Also the rising and soaring of the notes in "I dreamed a dream" made my spine tingle.
So let's wait and see.
"For another, there is a whole pool of stars these days capable of carrying a tune"
That does not comfort me at all. "carrying a tune" is NOT enough. Neither is "pretending the emotions take over from beautiful singing so you can get away with not singing the notes right". The music as it is written, the dynamics, the rising and soaring of the notes, is what makes or breaks "I dreamed a dream". The whispered, chirping, clip from Anne Hathaway makes me worried.
Don't get me wrong. I'm really excited about this film and appreciate everyone's dedication and work, but the thing with a musical on film is, that the singing and the way emotions are conveyed through the way the notes are placed is the most important thing. That makes or breaks a film. It's the only thing that counts.
Take Emmy Rossums's "Twisted every way" in the Phantom film. She's broken, she's crying, almost whispering, but it does not work. A good actress that can carry a tune is not good enough for a film like this.
If the singing is not outstanding it is going to feel silly that the character sings. And there are a lot of big ballads in this film.
I think that might be the biggest breaking point for this film. The most important thing is overshadowed by the sets, the stars, etc.
In my opinion you can have a dark, black room with a girl that knows how to place the notes so wonderfully that it can make me laugh and cry at the same time because the note is placed exactly right. Musical theatre singing is an art. If a person does not know how to do that, the singing will only be distracting and the audience is going to think; "why don't you just speak"? That's what I felt when I watched the Anne Hathaway clip.
With that said, I feel that Samantha Barks might be the female star of this movie.
Also, I'm getting tired of Amanda Seyfried's interviews about this project. I feel like she's constantly looking for excuses.
About the singing "not sure, but I will try, but don't blame me if it goes wrong" attitude.
"It is intense, living as a singer." Yes it is, but do we hear Hugh Jackman complain about that? No.
"about the live singing, no one has been tested this way before. We all are doing something revolutionary." Yes, what's your point? That you might fail the "test"? Or what? It's not a test, you have been chosen for this part because you are the one girl in the world that is the most perfect singer that knows how to convey emotions through singing. Please, just focus on telling the story through your notes instead of your excuses.
Updated On: 5/29/12 at 08:14 AM
