"Phantom" test screening: my review- Page 2

[Matt_G]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 1:49am

It will be interesting for you to go back in December and see the finished film. These test screenings are done for many films to get an audiences reaction. Than they are re-edited and changed for the final cut.
I've seen many films like that including much longer versions of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE and ALL THE PRETTY HORSES. In Manhattan, theatres will usually know a little while in advance when these screenings will happen so check with the big theatres and ask every so often because they're free and passes are just given out.

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 1:59am

Oh, and thanks in advance!

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:07am

1) Can you go to: http://homepage.mac.com/leonardo.ubeda/Phantom/PhantomMovie.html and click on "Downloads"? There is a clip of "All I Ask of You" sung by Rossum and Wilson. Its rumored to be an audition tape, can you tell us whether or not thats true? (aka is that what was heard in the film?)

I really hope that is just an audition tape cause the vocals sound very weak..if all the singing is like that i don't know if i can sit through the whole movie. so i'm keeping my fingers crossed it was just an audition tape.

[jo]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:10am

I saw the show once on Broadway and twice in London and I am looking forward to the film version.

Hope the initial accolades are deserved and that it paves the way for more stage productions becoming movie musicals.

Sunset Boulevard and Les Miserables, please ?

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:21am

Jake, in answer to your questions:

1) I'm not sure if that was an audition tape. But I can assure you the vocals in the movie are anything but weak.

2) Since I've only seen POTO once live, I don't have a strong recollection of how strong or weak some scenes were. But one scene that I thought worked really well on screen was "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again." Rather than skipping out of a rehearsal, Christine gets up very early and commissions a cabbie (replaced by the Phantom) to take her to her father's grave. She sings "Wishing" as she walks through the graveyard, and the big finish comes when she reaches his mausoleum. A little later, Raoul and the Phantom get into a really cool swordfight, and Raoul takes Christine and rides off. But in all honesty, all the scenes work really well. It's hard to pick just one.

3) Chances at the Oscars...well, I think it will get nominations for art direction and costumes for sure. I really don't know about the other categories.

As for Emmy Rossum...I just found out she's two years younger than me! She's 18 now; how old was she when she was filming?? What a voice for someone so young...

Updated On: 9/29/04 at 02:21 AM

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:27am

I would give you a hug, but I don't really know you that well

I know you don't want to give too much away, but two more questions (please)!

1) You don't have to give us the details, but how is the Phantom's deformity? There are some who think it'll be minimal and somewhat non-effective.

and...

2) How was Point of No Return? I'm really looking forward to this scene. Does the Phantom have a cape to hide his face (like in the stage show?)

(cough...and how was Jennifer Ellison aka Meg Giry...cough)

Oh and Emmy Rossum had just turned 17 when shooting began! Updated On: 9/29/04 at 02:27 AM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:35am

How was Minnie Driver? She's an alright actress (and funny as hell on Will & Grace!) but she must be something spectacular to justify casting her even though she doesn't sing carlotta's part!

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:35am

1) Okay, if anyone is expecting the full-on prosthetics of the musical, you'll be disappointed. They did a good job, just changed it to work better on screen. It's actually pretty nastified and pretty creepy. And, I may be imagining it, but I think there was a subtle digital blending effect when the mask is ripped off. It's almost like the deformity forms right before our eyes.

2) "Point of No Return" is so unbelievably hot, it's not even funny. And I think he did have a cape, as well as a different mask. It was black and more of a masquerade mask; it only covered the top half of his face.

And Jennifer Ellison is adorable.

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:40am

So theres nothing you didn't like about it? (Other than the somewhat unimpressive Masquerade?)

You have no idea how happy this review has made me!!!

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:40am

Minnie Driver...meh. I think she laid it on a little thick, and she was sometimes difficult to understand through her Italian accent. But she did a pretty good lip-synch. Personally, I think she was cast because she's a "name" and could possibly give sales a boost, because the rest of the cast is pretty much unknown (and yes, I know Miranda Richardson isn't unknown, but she's not a huge star either).

[PhantomAngel777]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:41am

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I am so happy to hear all this stuff about it.
YAY! PONR was hott to the point of not funniness.

(LOL...I'm a little out of it....just nod your head and laugh)

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:45am

I do encourage you to write a review for AICN:
http://www.aintitcool.com/

Thanks again!

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:47am

Oh and I gotta ask about the visual style: was it impressive? How was the editing?

(My apologies for sounding crazed...I've been looking forward to this forever)

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:51am

Just listened to the All I Ask of You link. I'm hoping that was just an audition recording too. There was absolutely no soul in either Patrick or Emmy's singing.

Did Gerard have a credible operatic voice or was it more "Broadway", if that makes any sense? (I'm almost crushed that Masquerade was just "okay". It's one of my favorite scenes in the show because of the staging. I'm glad that Point of No Return is good though!)

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:55am

only Minnie Drivers high notes are suppose to be dubbed..thats what i heard at least

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 2:59am

Her role was completley dubbed by Margaret Preece of the West End Production. Minnie was supposed to sing the low notes, but that was changed in post-production.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 3:00am

So she pretty much sings "think of me, think of me--------when you say----bye....remember me, every so often. Promise me----try----" and doesn't sing pretty much the entire second half of the song. *sigh*

I mean, really? Minnie Driver as Carlotta?? I get that she's a "name", but aren't there another famous actresses willing to play that part?

Did they pad Minnie up or no? A skinny Carlotta just doesn't seem right.

I'd say I'll try to withhold judgment until I see it myself, but that's pretty much impossible.

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 3:06am

She wore a 'chicken fillet bra', but no...shes skinny.

FYI, a lot of critics/press have really liked Driver's performance.

"After all, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Joel Schumacher would not tamper with an already successful combination, and demanded leading actors who were capable of doing their own singing. The only exception was made for Minnie Driver, one of the few well-known names on the marquee, and though dubbed by a professional singer, she steals scenes as the temperamental Italian diva Carlotta...Minnie Driver maybe deserves a little more screen time, but her Carlotta guarantees laughter for those who identify traces of the actress’s own abrasive personality in her interpretation." --O Globo Newspaper (Brazil)

Also, critics have called this her comeback role. Updated On: 9/29/04 at 03:06 AM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 3:11am

Okay, I'll give Minnie the benefit of the doubt for now, because anyone who can drop a diamond bracelet out of her "English muffin" has earned my grudging respect.

How's Patrick? I'm not a fan of the hair. Raoul's already a sissy part, but is he like Legolas's girlier brother?

Also, can anyone tell me how many trailers are available right now? I've just finished watching the one that's only instrumental with quick flashes of a bunch of different scenes and no lyrics. Is that all there is right now?

Updated On: 9/29/04 at 03:11 AM

[ShiksaGoddess2]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 6:27am

Is it December yet? gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait!

[J-Pill]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 8:35am

How was Miranda Richardson? I love her.

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 11:02am

I'm bumping this thread...because I want to.

Have you forgotten about us Rose_MacShane? I went to sleep and then woke up...and you weren't there! LOL. Just kidding

Someone from Phantomfans.net wanted to know if Gerard Butler loses his Scottish accent for the role? What does his speaking voice sound like? I remember reading a small interview where he said he'd use a "soft British accent", actually.

Also, can you tell us how the first unmasking scene is? Do they wait to show us his deformity at the end still? Does Butler shriek/sound agonized, etc? Does he play the scene with more anger or pain? How does Christine react?

Thanks!

[beacon1]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 11:09am

Patrick made you "melt" with his portrayal of Raoul...

*sigh* *BIG SIGH...*

How was the sword fight?

And, how was his makeup to play the older Raoul?

*replays the clip of AIAOY and sighs again...*

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 1:17pm

Bump! Okay, I'm back (I had to sleep, guys!) and I'll try to asnwer your questions as best I can.

Visual style is awesome. The cinematography is unbelievable; opulent and creepy at the same time.

Gerard's voice is, I think, a little more Broadway, but he's a great Phantom. Great. I had no idea he was Scottish until Jake said so! He definitely doesn't use it in the movie. And I didn't detect a British accent, but I was so wrapped up in the singing that maybe I just notice. And the first unmasking scene is frightening. We don't really see what he looks like (we see him briefly in a mirror, but it doesn't let us get a really good look at his face). I'd say that he's more angry than pained, but it WORKS. He delivers his lines ("You little prying Pandora" etc.) in a growl. And Christine is terrified.

Patrick Wilson's good. I think the role was toned down in wussiness, because I didn't get that impression at all.

Miranda Richardson does a lot with Mme. Giry, considering that it's not a huge part. But they did add her to the auction in the prologue. She bids a few times on the music box but lets Raoul win it in the end.

The swordfight between Raoul and the Phantom is awesome. And the makeup for old Raoul is really good. I actually thought they got an elderly actor to play that part, it's that good.

[MeGustaJake]

Posted: 9/29/04 at 1:42pm

You're awesome! I think I know enough about the movie now: I just can't wait to see it.

I'm going to refrain saying "one last question", because odds are I'll think of something else, but how was the character development? Especially among the three leads. In terms of Christine and Raoul's relationship: is it believable? I always felt it could've been a little more fleshed out in the stage version.

Thanks:)