"Phantom" test screening: my review — Page 2

Oh, and thanks in advance!

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 ?

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

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.

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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).

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

Thanks again!

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!)

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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.

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

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

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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!

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.

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