Reely Bernie Faves: The Greatest Showman (2017)

Even though I adore a classic like The Wizard of Oz (1939) or The Sound of Music (1965), commend Les Miserables (2012) for its groundbreaking technical achievements, and praise postmodern movie musical revivals like The Phantom of the Opera (2004) or Rent (2005), I have probably seen The Greatest Showman more than any of these musicals combined.

Every song is a catchy, awe-inspiring hit, every choreography number is entrancing, and the story—albeit extremely fictional in its references to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus—is a humble ode to following your dreams and accepting others for who they are on the outside and the inside.

As I mention over and over again in my reviews, I watch movies for the feelings, not the facts. Yes, we all know the real Mr. Barnum was an exploitative politician and prick businessman, but these particulars wouldn’t make for a fun musical, now would they? (Plus, if you’re going to be that nit-picky with cinematic facts, then you would have to discredit The Sound of Music’s backstory and take away the smiles of our upbringing.)

This is an airtight, seamless, and remarkably joyful musical production. Hugh Jackman is an astounding performer, defying age and igniting hope in youngsters and adults alike with that million-dollar smile.

Zac Efron matches up in talent, and along with Keala Settle, Zendaya, and Michelle Williams, the vocals rock the house as both a soundtrack in your AirPods or blasted through the windows of your car or house.

The cynics out there can continue misconstruing the movie’s message all they want. I’m not sure how they cannot hear the ballad against shame in the power hit, “This Is Me.” I don’t know how they cannot acknowledge the possibilities of forgiveness and transformation in “Rewrite the Stars.” It’s a choice, I guess, but the Barnum in this original movie musical embraces acceptance, no matter how imperfectly human you are.

Last summer, we saw The Greatest Showman at the “Film on the Rocks,” at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. There’s nothing like watching a beloved movie with thousands of others who feel the same way. And, now that I have two young daughters, I can’t help but connect with Hugh Jackman’s character even more. I’d be ecstatic if one of them also took ballet lessons (as long as the other one does soccer).

Happy Father’s Day!

Reely Bernie Faves:

1. Amadeus (1984)

2. Magnolia (1999)

3. Poltergeist (1982)

4. Pulp Fiction (1994)

5. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

6. The Godfather Part II (1974)

7. Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)

8. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

9. Goodfellas (1990)

10. Nosferatu (1922)

11. Pollock (2000)

12. Kicking and Screaming (1995)

13. Jaws (1975)

14. Fargo (1996)

15. Citizen Kane (1941)

16. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

17. The Endless Summer (1966)

18. Back to the Future (1985)

19. Angel Heart (1987)

20. The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

21. The Goonies (1985)

22. Trainspotting (1996)

23. King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

24. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

25. Bambi (1942)

26. The Paradise Lost Trilogy (1996-2011)

27. Psycho (1960)

28. Parenthood (1989)

29. Swingers (1996)

30. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

31. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

32. Smoke (1995)

33. Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

34. A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

35. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

36. City of God (2002)

37. 1917 (2019)

38. Black Swan (2010)

39. School of Rock (2003)

40. Mulholland Drive (2001)

41. Groundhog Day (1993)

42. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

43. The Greatest Showman (2017)

44. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

45. The Florida Project (2017)

46. Cinema Paradiso (1988)

47. So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)

48. Shadowlands (1993)

49. Steve Jobs (2015)

50. ¡Three Amigos! (1986)