Netflix's THE PROM Reviews & Reactions — Page 8

TheatreFan4 said: ">and be famous enoughto basically share top billing with Meryl Streep?

Imagine thinking that James Corden is on the level of Meryl Streep. It's laughable honestly. The role didn't require someone on Meryl or even Nicole Kidman's level... because you already have both of them. And who else could play the role who has Hollywood experience other than Nathan Lane? Neil Patrick Harris (even though I don't really like him), Sean Hayes, Jesse Tyler Ferguson?"

Imagine erasing weight from a character’s story and only naming trim actors that fit our body shaming society.

Oh Jesus. I doubt that was their intention.

Just watched, it was cute, nothing special or extraordinary.

Joviedamian said: "Also, the film was produced by Netflix, with which Murphy has a production deal. So he likely had to get Netflix on board with the casting, but it seems doubtful that outside investors needed to be attracted and Corden was a sop for them.

That is correct. But what usually happens in deals like this is, that Netflix negotiated a contract with an independent contractor (in this case Ryan Murphy), to help bring in work for Netflix to help produce to make money for the company. Just because Netflix produced it, still doesn't mean that there are not independent investors. New Line Cinema was the head ""producer/distributor" for the movie Hairspray, but still had investors from China in order to secure funding for the project. The same usually and or could have happened here. As Max Bialystok would say "Never use your own money". But Netflix itself could have easily just said we will fund it. We often sometimes get confused between what "Produced/Producing" means and what "Fund/Funding' means. And if that's the case, then the investors could have had a say in the casting or lose funding. There are many seniors here! Either way James was cast."

Netflix has a completely different business model than most studios, one which doesn't really lend itself to outside producers, since those people wouldn't be likely to make any money. Even awards bait projects like this are only given a token theatrical release (where they often don't report box office and Netflix sometimes pays the theater upfront as a rental) before the film ends up where it's intended--on Netflix. For the most part, they don't make money in the usual way; it's only to benefit Netflix. It's the reason they throw hefty deals at movie stars upfront, to make up for the back end profits/residuals that won't exist since the film will only really exist on its platform. That's why the idea that they would have had to choose actors to appeal to investors is so farfetched. (As farfetched as the idea that any openly gay actor would have turned down a starring role in a Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman project that was aiming for awards attention if he'd been offered it. Which we known none was, since Corden, sadly enough, was Murphy's first choice.)

Updated On: 12/11/20 at 02:00 PM

I wanted to like this. I think it just works better as a stage musical. The film could’ve taken some moments to expand conflict and resolution. The scene towards the end where they’re trying to cobble funds together for the prom has no tension because you know DeeDee is going to turn around and foot the bill. In a stage musical where you are moving pretty quickly creating problems only to resolve them after works far better than in a filmed production.

Yes, the cast overall is good. I just agree with people wishing someone of Meryl’s vintage would’ve played Barry. And yes, Nathan Lane immediately comes to mind. In the beginning his flamboyancy is a lot, but then he hits his stride with "Tonight Belongs to You".

Ryan Murphy at this stage of his career is far better finding content to create than overseeing that creation. By that, I mean his direction leaves much to be desired. Way too many fade to black or overuse of turning a song into a music video. Musicals work on film when you expand the scope in a way you can’t on stage. I think people cite The Sound of Music as a prime example of this. The Prom excels when it does this during songs like “The Lady’s Improving” – where we cut between Meryl in the office and on stage or “Barry Is Going to Prom” where Corden dances with young Barry.

Not every song has to be a dreamlike sequence drenched in purple and blue lights. Bigger is not always better and when you operate at a 10 there’s no room to breathe.

Yes, Casey Nicholaw directed and choreographed the stage production and returns here to produce and choreograph the film. I did not see the show on Broadway, but do agree with the criticism that these moves were inspired by strobe lights.

Finally, I am somewhat disappointed that the two most prominent LGBTQ films of recent memory, The Prom and Happiest Season both center around lesbian couples where one member is too afraid of coming out that they injure their significant other by denying who they are. Ultimately they choose honesty and the films resolve happily, but it just is a regressive message for 2020. I know this is a reality for many people and the song “Alyssa Greene” does a good job expounding on this, but wish we had content that moved beyond this.

It’s like when Hollywood received criticism for only celebrating films where black people were slaves or impoverished – I’m thinking of 12 Years a Slave or Precious. Obviously those are good films, but I wish there was more diversity in the queer stories we told. Groups that aren’t well represented are often clamoring to see themselves that we’re told to rejoice when a project exists – even though it would’ve been boundary pushing 15 years ago.

Then again ABC announced The Bachelor Season 25 is going to have its most diverse cast ever where caucasians are in the minority. I guess at some point progress is progress. End ramble.

Watching now. What happened to the rest of the Acceptance Song?

That would have been amazing.

I was worried based on reviews, but while James Corden shouldn't have been cast and the show itself is still preachy, it is a ton of fun and I'm humming the songs again. A bright spot in this darkness.

ljay889 said: "I really enjoyed this! Shockingly, think I enjoyed it more than on Broadway."

I felt the same way!