Well, finally got to see Phantom of the Opera. THis is a movie that I have been anticipating for 15 yeara, since the eighth grade field trip to see it. I was full-out bawling at the end, and the only one on the trip who was doing so. I had to dry my eyes quick in order not to welcome anymore ridicule than was already happening. After that, and through high school, I listened to my cassette of the cast resording until I could perform a one-woman show of the entire thing(how many of you would pay to see that?)
So, of course, the movie is so hyped up for me, it would never meet my expectations. Sadly, this is the case. Overall, it was like a high school production that had a huge budget. It stayed true to the stage show, plus some not-necessary flashback scenes.
There is a certain cheese factor to the show, being that it is from the mod-80s and “typical” broadway fashion.
The thing that annoyed me most was Christine. This Emmy Rossum had a decent enough voice, but her method of acting was staying as still as a board, and always looking like she took a quaalude and breathing through her mouth. Patrick Wilson as Raoul was pretty enough, but he had a fake-looking weave and I will never think of him as anything other than a gay Mormon. Gerard Butler was decent, and quite the piece, even with the burned and dsfigured face.
After seeing it again, through the lense of fifteen years of growth, I am seeing my once-favorite musical is a new light. First of all, Christine? Weak. She would always get herself into trouble by falling under the Phantom’s spell, and then calling for Raoul’s help. Grow a spine. And I seriously feel for the Phantom. Here he is, forced to live underground for years, and then he takes the time to make Christine a huge star and what does she do to thank him? Run away with the pretty boy. Fuck, I’d probably terrorize a few operas if that were me.
Anyway, I am off to NY for a couple of days, and will have limited internet access, so hit the cell. Merry Christmas and all that shit.
