Down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up a small
Director: Ryan Murphy
Cast: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key,
Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, Tracey Ullman, Kevin Chamberlin,
Release Date:
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Musical
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some suggestive/sexual references and
language
Runtime: 2h 10min
Review:
Ryan Murphy’s Prom is an over the top musical cornucopia of schmaltz and
positive message that’s easy to digest.
Those looking for any deep meaning should probably look elsewhere
because this film is all glitz and jazz hands.
Character development is sparse with each character representing more of
a type than a fully formed person. The
real trick is that Murphy keeps you engaged with each of these characters
throughout each musical number. The
cast, which is made up of A listers, helps mainly because they are all clearly
having a great time and it shines through in their performances. Streep, Kidman and Corden all seem very much
in their wheel house belting out Broadway style musical numbers so that
shouldn’t come as much a surprise.
Somehow Jo Ellen Pellman finds a way to have her moment even with all
the luminaries sharing the same proverbial stage. It’s an impressive
understated performance that is sure to draw the attention of more than a few
casting directors. The film itself feels
a little like a more musical riff on Footloose with a generally upbeat feel
which works for the current situation.
It’s overlong, Netflix seems terribly uninterested in reigning in their
talent, and overstuffed but it’s the best kind of comfort food for anybody who
loves musicals.
B-
