Netflix's THE PROM Reviews & Reactions- Page 9

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 12:50am

The other Jordan also has lots to say but won’t share all his thoughts now. I was pleasantly surprised, just like when I first saw it on stage. I had my hesitations going in and for the first couple scenes or so, but I was full on smiling by “Tonight Belongs to You” and that grin did not go away for the rest of the film.

The new changes/scenes were mostly good, with a couple of clunkers (same with the flashbacks). This one is going in your “good” pile, Murph. Congrats to you and to all involved.

[BwayBeccaB]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 1:26am

Personally I loved everything about it (including James Corden). The only reason I had conflicting feelings about the movie was because of the lack of cast members from the Broadway show in the movie, besides that I thought the whole cast and crew did a really great job. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 6:18am

I found it to be over directed and busy like the director had little faith in the script or audience attention span. The biggest rookie mistake was letting the orchestrations over power the vocals which did a disservice to the actors.

Pellman came off the best and had a lovely voice. Her maturity complimented the character who seemed ok with herself. I wish I had seen the stage version for I suspect it worked better. Perhaps if Rob Marshall had directed it, better choices would have been made. I do not think it needed the star power and lessor known actors could have been used. I was actually distracted by the familiarity of the leads.

I did like the choreography for the most part. Andrew’s number in the mall worked very well. And when the gay couples filed in for the prom it was very touching. I felt the first part of the second act lagged. I would not have had Ullman (In a bad wig) play the mother. Again it was distracting. Who knew Kerry Washington could sing. Who did Kevin Chamberlain know to get a part in the film?

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 7:25am

These were the first moments of sheer joy I’ve felt since the start of Covid-19.  I had quibbles with the book (characters’ transition from intolerance to full-throated acceptance happened way too fast) and the songs (hard to distinguish between those sung by the secondary characters), but none of that erases the fact that I had a smile plastered on my face from the beginning to the end.  

[gypsy101]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 7:35am

BroadwayStar4 said: "Does anyone else feel like Titus Burgess should've played Barry?"

i will now never be not sad this didn’t happen

Updated On: 12/12/20 at 07:35 AM

[binau]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 7:36am

What I love about this (and it might be the same for the stage show too, haven't seen it) - is that in my opinion it cleverly makes enough fun of Broadway, Broadway actors, Broadway fans, Broadway community, the musical artform itself etc.....that when it comes to the overly sentimental parts, or social justice messaging etc. it is very easy to swallow and feels sincere. It is preachy without feeling preachy because it is not taking itself too seriously. This is a very difficult balance to achieve.

It pokes fun at Broadway and Broadway actors who think they are 'changing lives' in shows that nobody outside the community cares about (how funny that the 'two-time' Tony Award winning star has less public recognition than a washed up barely employed soap star), but then it shows us exactly how the art form can do this through sincere moments between many of the characters and a tactful criticism of religion. Maybe it's cliche to say right now but in the context of a pandemic and a closed Broadway I feel it is exactly what we need right now and it feels like everyone involved truly loves Broadway.

In an alternative reality, I would have loved Patti LuPone & Nathan Lane to play those parts though. 
 

 

 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 8:34am

just finished, i actually really enjoyed this movie! after hearing her song these songs...Meryl Streep really couldn’t hit that last note in The Winner Takes It All???

[TNick926]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 8:52am

I enjoyed the movie from start to finish, more than I did seeing it live (though I enjoyed it live, too).  I was concerned that Meryl wouldn't really be able to sing this part (I LOVE Beth Leavel - give me a big Broadway belter anytime!) BUT she came through like gangbusters!  All the stars were great in their parts...but I agree with some comments above, especially the wig on Tracy Ullman - she ends up looking too much like Mary Kay Place in earlier scenes and so when she appears I thought it was that other character, which of course wouldn't make any sense!  Minor quibble, though.

Andrew Rannells takes top honors in my opinion.  The staging of his version of "Love Thy Neighbor" and his singing of it, was musical comedy perfection!  And I LOVE this song - I guess it's my favorite in the whole show, perhaps because it so brilliantly points out hypocritical Christian contradictions, and ends up being a stirring version of The Sermon on the Mount! 

I also agree with other comments above about weaknesses of the book (too quick transitions from intolerance to gleeful acceptance, especially Kerry Washington's character, but also, who knew she could sing like that?!)  

This movie was a delightful way to spend a COVID-19 sequestered evening at home, and I feel like Ryan Murphy gave us a beautiful gift.  This move would never have been made if he hadn't attended a performance of The Prom and so personally related to the story and was moved by it that he bought the rights on the spot...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 9:29am

Look - I've made no secret that I think Ryan Murphy is pretty much 95% awful in what he creates and that I, for the life of me, don't understand how so many A-list actors just do anything he makes. But putting that aside I'm also on the record of saying he should stick to directing because he's actually quite good at that and, for the most part, I think he succeeds here. My main issue (and many others) was Corden's casting so I'll start with that. James Corden had zero business being in this film and like has been said a million times, it should have gone to Nathan Lane or as someone above said, Titus. I can't even imagine how fabulous Titus would have been. But it is what it is. Luckily for all of us, Corden didn't attempt the "fabulousness" of Brooks. Does the character and film suffer from not having that level of fabulous flamboyancy from an out gay man? 100% it does. But lucky for everyone involved, the other parts are so strong it *almost* doesn't matter. 

Movie musicals have been widely just....awful for a long time now. Either the creators don't trust the source material so they cut it beyond all recognition (Dreamgirls and Nine, I'm looking at you) or they look great but have people who can't sing and ruin what was a beautiful film (Sweeney Todd, I'm looking at you). But "The Prom" seemed to just work on every level because the creators trusted and respected the source material. The casting (again, Corden aside) was pitch perfect. Streep has never in her life sounded better, Rannells was perfect, Kidman was luminous and even though they cut my favorite line ("How f*cking old do you think I am", by the time I reached that point in the film it just didn't matter, I was in love with her. But I don't even think I could give enough praise to Jo Ellen Pellman and the extraordinary performance she gave. 

We can't forget to give the astounding Bob Martin credit for adapting his book to the screenplay, so much of what works here is because of him. From a film that I was kinda sorta dreading to watch, to having it end up being my favorite film of the year is really something and one of the only good things to happen this entire year. 

Updated On: 12/12/20 at 09:29 AM

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 9:55am

I love you, Jordan. So happy you loved it so much! I was nervous on your review!

[Owen22]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 10:26am

These positive reviews for Netflix's "The Prom" are really helping me understand how half the country loves Donald Trump!  How they SEE Donald Trump.  (And I'm not comparing fans of The Prom to Trumpers).

Meaning: it is what you bring to something, how it reflects your thoughts on what is good or bad, on how it sizes up against others. How one filters through one's own experiences. And, of course, what is thought to be "universal taste levels".

In my humble, The Prom film was just plain bad. So bad. Meryl and Keegan-Michael came through relatively unscathed (and Corden was no worse than anyone else in the film). I had opted not to see the show on Broadway after hearing three bad songs and am glad I didn't spend the money. I go to musical theatre not for the cheap sentiment, but to hear good music embedded into a coherent story. This, again IMO was not good.  If people on this board think Sondheim is a great lyricist, or Lin Manuel or David Yazbek--how could anyone think those were good lyrics????   The melodies were somewhat better (but not much). Was it the marriage of the love of Broadway people with a progressive gay positive bathos that makes people on these boards disregard quality?  But then, I look to my second paragraph: It's subjective. My taste is not your taste.  I know that intellectually, but it still doesn't make me want to not pull my hair out!

I also think back and worry over a line Albert Brooks has in "Broadcast News". I'm paraphrasing, but he posits that the devil isn't going to be a nasty, red-horned pointy-eared demon (Donald Trump).  He's going to be a pleasant person who just encourages us to lower our standards bit by bit...

Updated On: 12/12/20 at 10:26 AM

[binau]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 10:36am

I just think if I went into every show expecting a Sondheim show I would quickly find myself becoming After Eight and hating everything I saw, so I manage my expectations accordingly. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 10:54am

I liked this more than I thought I would...esp since I didn't much like it on bway. It felt too much like a caffeine loaded after school special (for those that remember those). I'm not faulting any of the performances, nor do I think any of the performances in the film were better. (I actually disliked Emma quite a bit in the movie.)

Maybe on tv my expectations are low, or maybe after months of semi-seclusion I just needed some "happy happy" in my life.

I still felt the book is quite weak, and are many of the lyrics. But it made me smile and I daresay, it will make a lot of young people feel seen.

And Titus Burgess would have been PERFECTION!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 10:54am

I liked this more than I thought I would...esp since I didn't much like it on bway. It felt too much like a caffeine loaded after school special (for those that remember those). I'm not faulting any of the performances, nor do I think any of the performances in the film were better. (I actually disliked Emma quite a bit in the movie.)

Maybe on tv my expectations are low, or maybe after months of semi-seclusion I just needed some "happy happy" in my life.

I still felt the book is quite weak, and are many of the lyrics. But it made me smile and I daresay, it will make a lot of young people feel seen.

And Titus Burgess would have been PERFECTION!

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 11:16am

I just saw it and I enjoyed every minute of it. I also agree that Ryan Murphy should stick to directing than creating for the former is where he's at his best. I'm glad this joyful movie exists in 2020 where it doesn't take itself seriously, with a game cast (Corden included) clearly happy to be there.

With how surprisingly good this movie turned out, 2021 and the upcoming musical film adaptations may turn out to be even better. I'm very optimistic. :)

[BwayLB]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 12:56pm

I have my review up on Manny At The Movies

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 1:16pm

I did not see the show on Broadway, and liked but did not love the film.

I thought the actors were fine, including James Corden. Andrew Rannells was especially terrific. I so badly want to see him as Bobby Strong in Urinetown: The Musical, but I digress.

Keegan-Michael Key surprised me with his sincere performance. Really enjoyed him.

But I didn't enjoy the song lyrics, they were way too simplistic, with each one set-up to be just about the character singing it. Hard for me to explain exactly what I mean, just that there was a predictable repetitiveness about many of them. 

Overall, it was a thoughtful film. I would highly recommend it to teens.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 1:23pm

https://manny-at-the-movies.com/the-prom-broadway-lgbt-magic-comes-to-netflix/

Here’s my review

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 2:00pm

"You know, I kinda I go back and forth about this. Obviously, representation is very important, but what I feel that Ryan Murphy does so well is, you know, it’s the best person for the job, quite frankly,” Andrew told Attitude “In the same way that James can play the gay character, he’s also given me an opportunity to play a straight character, which is not something I do all the time. As much as he takes [an actor’s sexuality] into consideration, I think ultimately he’s looking for talent and parts, and he’s given me the opportunity to play this part which maybe another director wouldn’t have cast me in, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity." - Andrew Rannells when asking about Corden's casting

I agree and liked James in this otherwise average film. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 4:05pm

wait Andrew Rannells’ character was straight?? i never would have guessed that

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 4:13pm

qolbinau said: "I just think if I went into every show expecting a Sondheim show I would quickly find myself becoming After Eight and hating everything I saw, so I manage my expectations accordingly."

Exactly. The Prom has a cute, catchy, and heartwarming score, I don’t think it’s meant to be groundbreaking. 

[BentleyB]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 6:57pm

I love Sondheim, but do not want a steady diet of him.  I loved The Prom on Broadway and saw it 9 times including closing night.  It was cute, cleaver, and happy.  Being at the Tony Awards that year, while Hadestown deserved best musical, there was electric in the air when The Prom was introduced and the roars of approval and applause were deafening when the final kiss came. So I was thrilled that it got made into a movie, but worried that it may be like most movie musicals for me, which is very disappointing (Hairspray being the worst offender.) I thought they did a great job with it overall.  I missed the “How f*ing old do you think I am?” And “Let’s go help that dyke!” lines and it was hard to hear the “So this is what doing good feels like?” Interaction because of the music.  But I have watched it twice already and feel that it is one of the only bright spots in my life the past 8 months.  I will take this all day over 90% of the filmed musicals.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 7:59pm

Two stories are competing for dominance. The generic lesbian teen drama and the campy Broadway satire. The worlds are meant to combine but they simply alternate.

LGBTQ cinema is going through a renaissance right now. You can find much better lesbian teen dramas. (Booksmart, The Half of It, Kokon and Skam Espana to name a few.)

However as a harmless musical comedy I enjoyed it. Corden and Kidman were bland but Streep and Rannells were terrific. I'd put this closer to the workmanlike Mary Poppins Returns than the dismal Cats.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 9:46pm

I see The NY Times agreed with me.....
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/10/movies/the-prom-review.html?referringSource=articleShare

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/12/20 at 11:37pm

Just finished watching it and I loved it.  Interesting since I was at best indifferent to the show.  I actully think that Ryan Murphy's direction was perfect for the material.  The show was, after all, over the top, with a message of tolerance as the balancing point, i.e., silliness surrounding a solid message.  My biggest issue with the show may have been its cheesiness.  So, the show was cheep cheesy, whereas the movie was lavish cheesy, which was for me much more enjoyable.  Re the cast, I thought Streep walked away with it, but I thought that Pellman, Keegsn and Rannells were all really excellent.  Since I don't normally like Rannells, this was a real pleasant surprise and reminded me how good a voice he had.

Re Corden, I personally thought he was very good, but agree with all who wonder whether Nathan Lane turned down the role or was not approached.  He would have been perfection.  I had already concluded that the role played by Kidman was non-essential before seeing the movie, but I thought she was delightful.  I do think a real dancer would have done Zazz better, but it is a pretty nothing role and no-one could have made more of it that she did.

I suspect that it will get a bunch of Golden Globe nominations, but doubt it will be seeing much Oscar attention; good as Streep was, she had some stiff competition.

My biggest disappointment was to see how obese Kevin Chamberlain has gotten.  I have always enjoyed him in everything I have seen him in, and he has always been heavy; in this, he looked like a serious heart attack waiting to happen, which made me feel sad when he was on screen.  Still, it was great to see him, even if only in a small role.

Updated On: 12/12/20 at 11:37 PM