I know that, but in movie musicals, these "smaller things" do not work if the singing is not good. (Russel Crowe).
Mastering this kind of art, acting through song in musicals, is essential, otherwise the singing gets in the way of the acting. That's why the actors getting cast as Kim and Chris need to be able to sing the balls out of this material. Good singing from the heart and mastering the craft of telling a story through it IS acting.
I have seen John Owen Jones as Valjean in London, giving a much more "film-like" performance than the overly "theatrical belting" Hugh Jackman in the film. It is all about the ability of the actor. Hugh's singing (conveying acted emotions through song) was simply not good enough at times, which made some audience members laugh, because it didn't feel "real" as he does not master the craft well enough.
Updated On: 4/23/13 at 06:14 PM
I think Zac comes across as a bit too "gay-ish"? Not sure what it is, but I don't think he is a Chris. He has this typicsl thing going on of a gay guy playing straight.
Of all of Cameron Mackintosh's productions, I have always believed that MISS SAIGON would translate well on film because, among other things, it has a streamlined story and is not as sprawling as LES MISERABLES.
It'd be nice to see Lea Salonga in a cameo.
Others have mentioned B.D. Wong as the Engineer and I think it would be incredibly ironic were he to do anything related to MISS SAIGON considering he was one of the leaders that opposed the opening of MISS SAIGON in New York because of the casting of Jonathan Pryce, a Caucasian in a Eurasian Role, and Lea Salonga, a non-American Asian playing the leading role.
I still like the idea of Carrie Underwood or even Nicole Scherzinger for Ellen. Lea should be Gigi and sing Movie in my Mind, and have Jeremy Jordan as Chrs. Never been more excited for a movie to be made.
I agree that she's probably too old for Gigi but Lea looks damn good for her age and easily looks 30 (maybe not in close-up which would be the problem) but I would kill to get a professional recording of her singing movie in my mind; such a beautiful song
as with the case with most movie musicals... which songs do you think will be cut and/or edited and/or replaced?
I would love for Lea Salonga to cameo and yes she does look damn good for her age but I can't see where she could fit in... unless she plays the owner of the bar in act 2.. haha...
maybe they could write a song for the credits for lea to sing!
Gigi is extremely bitchy and Lea Salonga is not the right type for that. The role requires a different voice as well. She is also too old for the role. I don't think she wants to get slapped on the ass while singing about ****s in her ass, while dancing around in a bikini, after having such a glorious career as Kim in the theatre version.
I found these clips of a college production of Miss Saigon, and I think the age of this Kim and Chris works really well on screen. The engineer is great too.
I completely agree on Diana Huey. I'm hoping Signature's artistic director (and director of their Siagon) Eric Schaeffer, who has worked for Cameron Macinthosh, is recommending her to him for the role in the revival, she is that much a piece of perfection in the role. As magnificent a singer as Lea Salonga, and a better actress (watching her navigate those melodramatic lyrics is a minor master class). And the girl, as of this show, is not even an Equity actress yet! She is stellar.
I just saw the Signature production yesterday. I was so surprised that Diana Huey is non-Equity.
Lea Salonga has a more resonant voice but Huey's no slouch. She's much better than several of Salonga's successors in both Drury Lane and the Broadway Theatre.
I do not know what to make of this comment from Lee "The Butler" Daniels: "After Joplin, I'm hoping to get Miss Saigon off the ground. And then -- I want to make a horror movie!"
This film has to be great, epic. I feel it has to be directed by someone who knows the musical very well. And by that I mean the exact impact of some musical parts, important timing things and placements of words. That is where Les Miserables failed in my opinion. Many parts just don't work because of the lack of understanding the medium. For example the scene where the Bishop forgives Valjean singing "but remember this my brother....", it is cut and directed in a very wrong and amateurish way. The moment is lost. And that is the case with many, many moments in the film. It is a lack of understanding.
For the sets, I feel that this film would benefit from some theatrical sets, maybe even a bit surreal, like the Chicago film. Some theatrical indoor sets, in which you can't really tell how and where it is. There are too many Vietnam films out there already that totally lack atmosphere, with the ricefields and the reed houses and the cloudy daylight that totally lacks atmosphere. I don't think it will work if "The last night of the world" takes place in a crappy, cold concrete room. To highlight the romance it would benefit from a theatrical set with a warm glow, orange light, bamboo bed, a fan and a mosquito net. This films needs orange and red sunsets, and to breathe heat, passion.
I feel that Lee's style is too dull/realistic/gray for this film. Many scenes ask for a more flamboyant approach, such as the bangkok scenes and the bar scenes or the hotel scenes, but also the love scenes and Kim's nightmare and the moment where she flees to the boat.