Review of The Greatest Showman (2017) by Megan M — 20 Mar 2018

I'm starting to loose any confidence that the critics know what the general public wants to see and can accurately assess an artistic movie.

SPOILER ALERT: This is NOT an accurate portrayal of P.T. Barnum! If that is gonna get your goat then do yourself a favor and don't see it. I think we can all agree the real P.T. Barnum was not a nice man and he did exploit others for profit. This movie really doesn't touch on the depth of that at all, but just lightly scratches the surface with the idea that he was a "con" man. But I digress....as that is not the point of the movie. The movie, as some reviewers have said, is pure entertainment and it does deliver! It's a mix of catchy toe-tapping songs and a feel good theme of acceptance and worth to those who may not always be shown dignity and respect. On that note it is a great family film. With no swearing, sex scenes or any real major scene of violence (no wonder Hollywood has refused to accept this movie), it is a film that almost anyone can see. If your a fan of musicals, this movie is a must, and if not...I've had several non-musical loving friends absolutely love this movie. Think Moulin Rouge without the drug-induced CG effects and morality issues.

I'm a designer and a photographer, and watching this movie was pure eye-candy....as the way it was filmed and brought together cinematically was SO well done! It still bafffles me that Hollywood wouldn't even give it a nod to how well it was put together. It's as if because the movie is "fluffier" than most and not some deep thinking movie, it doesn't deserve accolades for its accomplishments. It's sad, and aptly ironic, that the very antagonist in the movie is a critic, who much like critics in real life...can't see how much this movie exists to just put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.