Netflix's THE PROM Reviews & Reactions- Page 6

[Sutton Ross]

Andrew Garfield won a Tony last year. As Vanity Fair even notes, Darrin Criss won an Emmy, what, 2 years ago? Both deserved, in my opinion.

Both were brilliant, and both won in 2018. 

[SouthernCakes]

As a gay male in the industry is is tough. A lot of casting directors will be like “we don’t see you for that part” - the romantic lead. But I’m like I’m an actor. I can do it. But blah. So I can see both sides.

Why didn’t they go with the main girl from Broadway? Is the other girl more of a name?

[jpbran]

Why didn’t they go with the main girl from Broadway? Is the other girl more of a name?"

Probably because she’s now 29 (would have been 28 during filming) and they didn’t want to get slammed like the Evan Hansen adaptation with the almost 2 yrs younger Platt. The online sniping about Platt’s age has probably made them realize they made the right decision...  (while I didn’t like the Prom much when I saw the earlier run in ATL, I did think Kinnunen was great)

[seaweedjstubbs]

^ Ariana DeBose is 29 and they didn’t have a problem casting her so.......

[BwayLB]

^ Its the youthful appearance that counts

[SouthernCakes]

She doesn’t read older to me! DeBose looks her age in film.

But maybe they wanted the out Lesbian angle? But then Corden I don’t get....

[WestEndGal]

I’ve never understood the James Corden as a musical star thing because I just thing his voice is so average, so given what people are saying about his performance, I’m really gonna have to watch this with an open mind, LOL. 
 

[WestEndGal]

I’ve never understood the James Corden as a musical star thing because I just think his voice is so average, so given what people are saying about his performance, I’m really gonna have to watch this with an open mind, LOL. 
 

[ACL2006]

Corden's a terrible film actor but does well on stage. Regardless, he would've been one of my last choices to play this role.

[SouthernCakes]

WestEndGal said: "I’ve never understood theJames Corden as a musical star thing because I just thinkhis voice is so average, so given what people are saying about his performance, I’m really gonna have to watch this with an open mind, LOL.
"

I mean, hello, that’s like 99% of all film actors. Love Streep but she’s not a songstress. 

[hayleyann]

SouthernCakes said: "WestEndGal said: "I’ve never understood theJames Corden as a musical star thing because I just thinkhis voice is so average, so given what people are saying about his performance, I’m really gonna have to watch this with an open mind, LOL.
"

I mean, hello, that’s like 99% of all film actors. Love Streep but she’s not a songstress."

Um yes she is.  She's classically trained vocally and damn near played Evita in the film version but they wanted to make it "pop" and "edgy" so they went with the Madonna who can't sing her way out of a paper bag.   

[hayleyann]

Jordan Catalano said: "But Hayley disagrees."

I don't disagree with that premise.  What I disagree with is you trying to be a martyr when a straight actor does play a gay role, as if only gay people should be allowed to play gay roles.  What if that was reversed?  Can you imagine Big Bang Theory without Jim Parsons?  He's gay in a straight role.  White Collar without Matt Bomer?  Gay in a straight role.  Any Tom Cruise movie?  Gay in straight roles.

What about closeted gays?  How do you know some of these straight roles aren't going to gay people who just have not decided to come out yet?  Now you want to force them out of the closet a la that nasty Perez Hilton just so you can be satisfied that the role went to someone gay?  Jump off the cross sweetie, find a new issue.  They wanted James Corden, they got James Corden.  When you're a producer, you can do things differently. 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Funny thing is, you think you’re actually making a point

[TheatreFan4]

>I don't disagree with that premise.  What I disagree with is you trying to be a martyr when a straight actor does play a gay role, as if only gay people should be allowed to play gay roles.  What if that was reversed?  Can you imagine Big Bang Theory without Jim Parsons?  He's gay in a straight role.  White Collar without Matt Bomer?  Gay in a straight role.  Any Tom Cruise movie?  Gay in straight roles.

If you were smart you'd realize that you running to literally those TWO actors (as everyone does) highlight out gay actors in straight roles would be a red flag that there's a problem there. And lets be entirely honest, if Jim Parsons were more open about his sexuality publicly in 2007 the odds of him getting the role in Big Bang Theory drops dramatically. When we reach equality anybody can play whatever role they want. We're not there yet. When you have a role of a flamboyant gay stereotype written by a gay man, you have a duty to employ openly gay actors. You don't get slap a middle aged straight man  up on screen the flounce around when you have several middle aged gay men who could perform circles around them because then it becomes insulting. 

>What about closeted gays?  How do you know some of these straight roles aren't going to gay people who just have not decided to come out yet?  Now you want to force them out of the closet a la that nasty Perez Hilton just so you can be satisfied that the role went to someone gay? 

Because if you're adult enough to run around and play gay and exploit stereotypes on screen, you have an obligation to be honest with the audience about yourself. And YES, I understand there are actors who are closeted, but the implication that we have to maintain that people who are married almost a decade with 3 kids like James Corden might just be closeted such ****ing bull****. Young actors who are coming up and are gay and closeted do so because it could negatively impact their career in its cradle just by being honest about it and are advised against it. For every young actor who is out and proud, there are dozens who can't be so publicly because their management tells them its not a good idea yet. Don't use their struggle as a way to placate to middle aged mediocre straight men. 

>They wanted James Corden, they got James Corden.  When you're a producer, you can do things differently.

They wanted mediocrity and they got it with a side of Gay Face as well.

[jacobsnchz14]

Full ZAZZ sequence from the film: https://fb.watch/2a7-0pUF2B/

[BenjaminNicholas2]

As someone who had money in the Broadway production, I'm not a fan of what Murphy did to this show.

He's the king of having one decent season in him and then immediately jumping the shark.

His version of The Prom felt like a dusty, old bag of tricks from the GLEE days.

[Sutton Ross]

He's the king of having one decent season in him and then immediately jumping the shark.

His version of The Prom felt like a dusty, old bag of tricks from the GLEE days.

All this. 100%

[Broadwaywest]

I did not see The Prom on stage but Im sure that zazz number plays amazingly on stage. This looked like Ryan Murphy attended the Rob Marshall school of directing a musical sequence. ooof.

[barcelona20]

Seems like this is a love it or hate it film.  Boston Globe trashed it to pieces.  Everything but the two lesbian actresses that is.

[Kad]

"Zazz" worked like gangbusters onstage because it was a showcase for Angie Schworer's decades of experience as a dancer, especially as an ensemble dancer in musicals.

Kidman... does not have even remotely that ability.

[Tom5]

Interesting that musicals I was disinclined to see before I will be watching on Netflix with great (and desperate) interest now. This now and Diana later. Those vaccines can't come quick enough.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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

It's the most cringy and bsckwards."  I've read a few of the reviews on James Corden.  Many are not happy at his casting or his portrayal of the character he's playing.  When I saw "The Prom" on Broadway, it made me laugh so much.  I got such joy at the end of the show.  I had a similar experience with "Xanadu".  Brooks Ashmanskas was absolutely wonderful!

 

[gleek4114]

I saw this last night and I absolutely loved it! As a fan of the show, it still felt like the show I know like the back of my hand and love shamelessly. Say what you will about Ryan Murphy and his spotty track record, but in this instant he trusted the material that worked so well on stage and put it on screen. No new songs, no giant plot differences, just the story and the music so many loved on Broadway on a bigger scale. I had been anticipating this movie for a long time (as many of us have) and to see it materialize in front of me was an almost out of body experience. So much of the original choreography is there, and it took me right back to how I felt experiencing this story for the first time at the Longacre.

As for the cast, the MVP here truly is Meryl. I had severe doubts, mostly about her singing, but she sounds absolutely phenomenal, I was truly blown away. Which each musical role she’s been given she just gets better and better, not to mention her take on Dee Dee as a character is just wonderful. Jo Ellen and Ariana are perfectly cast opposite each other as Emma and Alyssa. Jo Ellen has a fantastic voice, and Ariana knocks her one solo out of the park as many of us expected she would. I personally am a giant Nicole Kidman fan, and after seeing her performance in this that hasn’t changed. Her Angie has so much heart and warmth, and her scenes with Jo Ellen are especially sweet. Rannells is great as always but he’s basically playing Andrew Rannells in a Julliard shirt, which definitely works for Trent, Love Thy Neighbor is a showstopper though. Kerry Washington does wonderful in her smaller role as Mrs. Greene, her more intense scenes with Ariana towards the end of the film’s third act were just heartbreaking.

And now on to James Cordon... I thought he was fine? I don’t dispute that it would’ve been vastly preferable to have an out gay man play Barry, but for me at least, it didn’t take away from the film. His voice is alright, and as for his acting I never felt like he was too over the top when compared to the wonderful performance Brooks gave on Broadway. It never feels gimmicky in my eyes because I do think Cordon cared about this film and I honestly think he was able to find some of the heart Brooks portrayed so effortlessly. So yes, it sucks it’s not a gay actor, BUT Cordon does a commendable job and I don’t think his performance necessarily deserves all the bashing it has been receiving.

In conclusion, The Prom is bright, colorful, splashy, and FUN just like it’s on stage counterpart. I think fans of the show will be happy with this adaptation. It was truly a joy to watch and I recommend it completely without reservation.

[BentleyB]

Thank you for this.  I loved The Prom on Broadway and saw it 9 times and the closing performance.  I know the show is love it or hate it, but I am frankly tired of reading about people judging it before seeing it or James Cordon.  If you don’t like him, don’t watch it.  If you didn’t like the musical on Broadway, don’t watch the movie.  I frankly have hated most film adaptations of musicals I have loved on stage.  One rare exception is Chicago. I greatly appreciate that you have seen it and can actually give the perspective of someone who liked the show. 

[goldenboy]

As a director, actor and  gay man,  I have no problems with straight men playing gay roles. And have no problem with gay men playing straight roles.

Simply pick the best actor for the role. Gay or straight. Period

Ih the name of "politically correct" is has been so easy to bash an actor for playing opposite his sexual orientation.

 

I acted in Lisbon Traviata opposite a straight actor playing the lead gay role. We auditioned over 100 actors.. The director and I  had no idea he was straight until two weeks into rehearsal. And he was wonderful A wonderful Actor (straight) playing a gay men. He was simply the best choice for the part.  That is ALL that should matter.

I for one like the original Boys in the Band Film more than the remake and has a mixed cast. No one can ever top Cliff Gorman as Emory. And Clff Gorman was straight. As is Lawrence Luckingbill. Of course Kenneth Nelson, Leonard Frey and other's were gay. . It does not matter. The best actor gets the role.

So was James Corden the best choice for the role?

I don't know, I haven't seeing yet-- just the trailer. Sure Nathan Lane could have played it or Brooks could have played it but I have had it with the James Corden bashing.

James Corden an allegedly straight man, has never been a 10 on the 1-10 masculinity scale.

He loves Broadway; he is campy; he breaks into song; he has no problem playing fey in real life so he seems like a good choice for the role. James Corden is NOT a masculine actor.  So Corden has all the traits needed to fill that role.  The part calls for a mincing. It is written that way.   So why can't James Corden do the same? Why is this a problem? Especially for those who have not seen it?

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?

The best actor for the role and in this case.. the best actor with  a NAME to secure funding and get it produced.

You don't have to be a murderer to play a serial killer. So why do you have to be gay to play a gay man? or Straight to play a gay role? It's called ACTING