Netflix's THE PROM Reviews & Reactions- Page 7

[broadway.4me2]

Saw it yesterday, my first time back in a movie theatre since Feb.

As someone who loved the Broadway production, I adored this film. It does however feel like you'll either love it or you'll hate it. I thought James was the weakest part but he will still good, he doesn't ruin the movie or anything. He only gets truly bad towards the end with more emotional scenes. Everyone else, especially Meryl (obviously), was incredible. I'm putting some changes in the spoiler if anyone was interested.

 

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"Acceptance Song" is only about a minute in the movie, despite having a full version on the soundtrack. Trent is singing alone on the dirt pile at the monster truck rally, the crowd begins to boo. DeeDee looks back at Sheldon as he runs away, it then cuts to the next scene.

Both DeeDee and Barry have more depth in this version. DeeDee's relationship with Eddy Sharp is talked about a lot more. Barry's past is explored more with his parents.

When Barry sings "I just wanna dance with you" in "It's Time To Dance" it's now to his mother who has shown up to reunite with him.

It is also revealed that Barry went through a similar experience at age 16, his date was closeted and showed up to prom with a girl instead of being with Barry. 

 

 

 

[BwayLB]

^ At least I had no issue with John Travolta playing Edna in 2007 Hairspray

[devonian.t]

Is it on record whether Nathan Lane was ever approached for the role on stage or in the movie?

[TheatreFan4]

>My point? Pick the best actor for the job. Do not take their sexuality into account. Who knows Corden ay or may not have had a gay experience in his life. But does it matter?

Then why did it go to James Corden? Like for real. Acting is one area where you can be a LITTLE discriminatory and not get lambasted for it if you do it for the right reasons. "Best Actor" is a misnomer because it's not the only thing going into the role. I mean I'm sure it's possible for a white actor to "act" a black character better in The Color Purple, but it doesn't mean you're going to cast them and put them in black face to make up the difference. The world doesn't exist in a vacuum. You have a straight man (no not allegedly, he is. We should really get off this "allegedly" kick for why openly queer actors are passed over for queer roles) playing an explicitly stereotypical gay man. Go find a queer person who fits that. You've already got your stars in Meryl & Nicole, don't tell me we needed James Corden's 12:30AM low wattage star power too.

[quizking101]

I’m at the theatre now watching it but I had to stop to write that I want to throw Meryl another Oscar for “It’s Not About Me” in and of itself

[SouthernCakes]

Well that makes me excited. I didn’t love the show on Broadway but I did love that song/moment. Beth nailed it!

[CT2NYC]

I'm curious: besides Nathan Lane, what other openly gay actors who can sing would be a good fit for the role, and be famous enough to basically share top billing with Meryl Streep? This isn't a snarky question, I just can't think of anyone else, and, frankly, I can't think of any other straight actors, either. Like him or not, a lot of people of all ages know who James Corden is, mainly because of his Carpool Karaoke clips on YouTube, which have over a billion views. Was anyone else really "passed over" if they weren't even considered in the first place?

[TheatreFan4]

>and be famous enough to 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? 

[CT2NYC]

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?"

Did I say that I thought he was on the level of Meryl Streep? My point was that Brooks Ashmanskas or any other primarily stage actor was never going to be cast in the movie, which is why I asked for other names. I hadn't thought of the actors you mentioned, although I don't think Neil Patrick Harris would be a good fit at all.

[ArtMan]

I saw this today at the theatre.  My first time in a movie theatre in years.  It's as if time stood still.  People still acting like they are in their own home on their couches.  Thankfully no cellphones, but the other four people in the theatre talking at lengths in full volume.  More of that later.  I thought all of the cast were pretty good.  I did not see a problem with James Corden and I don't even like him.  I thought the first half was great.  Unfortunately for me, the second half seemed to drag.  My experience may have been tainted, by the four heifers above.  For well over an hour they talked on and on.  Finally I had enough and yelled shut up.  To my surprise, they did.  I should have yelled it earlier.  I want to watch it again, in my own home, when it comes out on dvd.  Like I stated, I really enjoyed the first half.

[TheatreFan4]

>>Did I say that I thought he was on the level of Meryl Streep?

You said with top billing alongside Meryl as if the draw of this movie was him on equal footing as her.

[CT2NYC]

TheatreFan4 said: ">>Did I say that I thought he was on the level of Meryl Streep?

You said with top billing alongside Meryl as if the draw of this movie was him on equal footing as her."

"Barry" is a lead role, so he shares top billing, whether you like it or not. With a star like Meryl Streep as his counterpart, it's clear that they wanted someone with a certain level of name recognition, and James Corden fit the bill. I said "famous enough," not "equally famous," although I'm certain there are people who have seen more of his work than hers.

[VotePeron]

TheatreFan4 said: ">>Did I say that I thought he was on the level of Meryl Streep?

You said with top billing alongside Meryl as if the draw of this movie was him on equal footing as her."

That is the draw of the movie? You’re kidding yourself if you think his casting wasn’t purely because of his celebrity.

[Scott Stephen]

Just saw this at a drive-in and had to weigh in. I thought this was just fantastic. It was paced well, acted wonderfully, and the few changes they made added to the story and strengthened it. Andrew Rannells stole the film for me; his timing and delivery was just gold. I found James Corden a pleasant surprise; he seemed to have done his research on the part and played it with love and compassion, rather than as a stereotype. The “Barry’s Going to Prom” sequence was done beautifully. “Unruly Heart” also had me a bawling mess and was directed and executed so well. My only complaint was that they got some people to play parts they were way too talented for. Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, and Tracey Ullman were all criminally underutilized. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and believe it is exactly what we need to end this year on a high note. Cannot sing enough praises!

[quizking101]

Knowing the show very well and the impact it had on me, I went in with apprehension and a critical eye. Overall, I give the film a 7.5/10.

The Great:
- MERYL FRIGGIN’ STREEP - She is just loving every minute of this and is doing her best high diva drag since Florence Foster Jenkins. As I previously posted, I had to stop to write in the middle of the movie that I wanted to throw another Oscar at her for “It’s Not About Me”. More importantly, she managed to strike the balance and make her more vulnerable, authentic moments believable - which could have been very easily lost on another actress.
- KEEGAN MICHAEL-KEY - I didn’t know he could sing and, given his sketch comedy background, I wasn’t sure how he would fare, but he really fell into the character quite well and I could feel that he genuinely cared for Emma, but also Dee Dee. He was the principal I wish I had in high school.
- THE ORCHESTRATIONS - I love a good orchestrally bossed-up soundtrack for a movie musical. It reminded me of how much power that HAIRSPRAY’s score got when it went from stage to screen.

The Good:
- ANDREW RANNELLS - He was quite good, and delivered “Love Thy Neighbor” with the right amount of church revival campiness. He also seemed a bit more at ease in the role than Christopher Sieber did. However, I felt he was a little underutilized and fell back on his sassy schtick a bit - though that could be partly the fault of the writing.
- JO ELLEN PELLMAN - Quite good, and struck a lot of the same notes as Caitlin Kinnunen, but with a bit more of a doe-eyed wistfulness. Her “Unruly Heart” DESTROYED me into a sobbing mess and her interactions with Ariana DeBose were adorable.
- NICOLE KIDMAN - Underutilized, but really performed the HELL out of “Zazz”, as if she’s been a Fosse dancer her whole life. I will say that it takes some suspension of disbelief that a four-time Oscar nominee (1 win) “spent her whole life hidden in the chorus”.
- KERRY WASHINGTON - Did a good job with a part that is easily unlikeable and could descend into caricature at any second. Her scene with Ariana DeBose at the prom at the end was a touching new addition.

The Meh:
- JAMES CORDEN - Given how universally reviled by critics he was, he actually was not terrible and at some times quite sweet and affecting, but certainly not leading man material opposite Meryl Streep. I think the criticism of his “offensive gayface” partially stems from the fact that the film critics are not entirely familiar with the source material and that the high level of camp is part of the character.
THE CHOREOGRAPHY - It’s Casey Nicholaw’s almost verbatim playbook from the stage show - hyperkinetic and gravity-defying - but at times overdone. Sidebar: Watching Ariana DeBose get down at the prom at the end made me remember that she is one HELL of a good dancer.

The Bad:
- THE DIRECTION/MUSICAL STAGING - Yeesh. One thing I could say this movie didn’t lack is subtlety. The fact that almost every song was played to a full-out GLEE fever pitch took away from the more intimate and quieter moments of the show that allowed the characters to breathe. I didn’t need constant flashbacks during songs, and I think this did both “We Look To You” and “Unruly Heart” a little dirty.
- THE LIGHTING SCHEME - I can’t be the only one who noticed the same color motif of the titles infused throughout the film. We get it - this is a vibrant film.

Those are all of my cents...Take a penny, leave a penny

[BwayLB]

I saw the Zazz clip and I have to say Nichole slayed it

[Joviedamian]

Many are bashing James Corden in this and I think he looks just fine. Though it would have been nice to have some true representation by having a gay man play the role, I am not going hold people against it--it's a movie and it's for entertainment.

Though I will say that many had mentioned that they wish they would have seen Nathan Lane and or Brooks in the role as well. I think Brooks would  have been amazing, but doubt that the funding would be there for him. With that said, we also have to remember there is a good chance that other actors were approached for the role and simply declined and James was the one that said yes. Harvey Fierstein mentioned once that he was like the 10th-11th person they came to for Hairspray, Live! As the others before him declined (for various reasons). So, there is a chance that others were asked befor James, but simply declined. We will never know the real way this was casting publicly, but glad the film has been made and can't wait to enjoy it.

[Jordan Catalano]

I’m gonna just go ahead and say I highly doubt the “funding” for a Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman film was dependent on locking in James Corden.

[Joviedamian]

I’m gonna just go ahead and say I highly doubt the “funding” for a Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman film was dependent on locking in James Corden.

 

Agree. But those who are not directly involved in investing will never know. Harvey also mentioned that when he was cast in Hairspray on Broadway, investor's pulled out and some did not even come forward because he was attached to the show. So, though we know that Meryl and Nicole can "start" getting the funding, it is possible having a newcomer (unless he is a star in other markets) in the male lead may have started the process of losing the funding if they went in that direction. Many will just never know. I personally feel they could have had a newcomer to be in the male lead and make him a star, it could have been too big of a risk with a film of this type.

For those who don't know or remember, most of the funding came from China when the film Hairspray cast John Travolta in the lead because most of the funding came from Chinese investors. With-all-that-said, this could have easily just been a Ryan Murphy casting choice and just wanted him in the role.

[MemorableUserName]

Per Deadline's article when the project was announced, the four leads were Murphy's first choices for the roles.

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.

[rosscoe(au)]

Well that was a joyous spontaneous clapping laugh out loud joy. Perfect no, Corden ( who I can’t stand ) was watchable and even enjoyable in places. Streep and Kidman are knockouts. But can someone please stop Ryan Murphy from ever filming  a dance number again. Kidman’s Zazz was incredible but sadly the way it was shot took away from the fantastic knockoff Fosse choreography she was doing. If you get the chance to see this at a cinema, go it looks sensational.

Loved loved loved it , I’m still at a loss why this wasn’t a huge Broadway hit.

[Joviedamian]

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.

[Jordan Levinson]

Exactly 16 months after closing in NYC, the Netflix release date of The Prom has finally arrived- your comments and reactions would be appreciated, first-time viewers.

I spoke with Meg last night but all she said re this movie was something along the lines of "expect a different experience" from the stage version. As if we all didn't know that already.

[Joshua Rosenthal]

Jordan Catalano said: "While it looks good, I’m sorry but I just can’t get past the Corden casting. "

Why not?

[Joshua Rosenthal]

I don’t care for James Corden ever since I’ve heard he’s apparently a pretty mean guy in real life, but I doit deny he has at least some talent in the musical theatre world