The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman
Name	The Greatest Showman
Director	Michael Gracey
Producer	Lauren Shuler Donner, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping
Starring	Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams (actress), Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya

The Greatest Showman is a 2017 American musical biographical drama film inspired by the life of P. T. Barnum, founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The film features an ensemble cast, including Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams (actress), Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya, and is directed by Michael Gracey, with production by Lauren Shuler Donner, Peter Chernin, and Jenno Topping, in association with 20th Century Fox, TSG Entertainment, and Chernin Entertainment. The film's screenplay was written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, with music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known for their work on La La Land (film), Dear Evan Hansen, and A Christmas Story (musical).

Production

The production of the film began in 2009, with Hugh Jackman attached to star as P. T. Barnum and Michael Gracey set to direct, in his feature film debut, after working on commercials for Nike, Inc., Coca-Cola, and Pepsi. The film's script was written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul composing the music, including the hit singles This Is Me (song), The Greatest Show, and A Million Dreams. The film was shot on location in New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with production design by Nathan Crowley, known for his work on Interstellar (film), The Prestige (2006 film), and John Carter (film).

Plot

The film tells the story of P. T. Barnum, a young boy from a poor family who grows up to become a successful showman and founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The film follows Barnum's life, from his childhood, where he meets his future wife, Charity Hallett Barnum, to his early days as a museum owner, featuring exhibits such as Tom Thumb (entertainer), and his later success as a circus owner, with performers like Anne Wheeler (acrobat) and Lavinia Warren. The film also explores Barnum's partnership with Philip Carlyle, a playwright from a wealthy family, played by Zac Efron, and his romance with Anne Wheeler (acrobat), played by Zendaya, a trapeze artist and acrobat who becomes a star of the circus, alongside Rebecca Ferguson as Jenny Lind, a Swedish singer who becomes a sensation in the United States, with the help of P. T. Barnum and his circus.

Music

The film's soundtrack features original music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, including the hit singles This Is Me (song), The Greatest Show, and A Million Dreams, performed by Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams (actress), Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. The soundtrack also features music by Loren Allred, Keala Settle, and The Greatest Showman Ensemble, with orchestral arrangements by Alex Lacamoire, known for his work on Hamilton (musical), In the Heights, and Dear Evan Hansen. The film's music was recorded at Capitol Studios, Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, and Abbey Road Studios, with mixing and mastering by Mannish Boy, Dave Pensado, and Tom Elmhirst.

Release

The film was released in the United States on December 20, 2017, by 20th Century Fox, and in the United Kingdom on December 26, 2017, by 20th Century Fox UK. The film premiered at the Rivoli Theatre (Toronto), in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and was later screened at the TCL Chinese Theatre, in Los Angeles, California, and the Odeon Leicester Square, in London, United Kingdom. The film was released in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and RealD 3D formats, with a runtime of 105 minutes, and a rating of PG (film rating) by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances of Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Zendaya, as well as the music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $435 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing musical films of all time, alongside La La Land (film), The Sound of Music (film), and Chicago (2002 film)]. The film received several awards and nominations, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for This Is Me (song), and the Academy Award for Best Original Song nomination for the same song, with performances by Keala Settle at the 90th Academy Awards and the 75th Golden Globe Awards.

Historical_accuracy

The film takes creative liberties with the life of P. T. Barnum, including his relationships with his wife, Charity Hallett Barnum, and his business partner, William Cameron Coup. The film also depicts P. T. Barnum as a more sympathetic and progressive character than he was in real life, with a focus on his role as a champion of the Freak show and the Circus arts, and his relationships with performers like Tom Thumb (entertainer), Anne Wheeler (acrobat), and Lavinia Warren. The film's portrayal of Jenny Lind's tour of the United States is also fictionalized, with Rebecca Ferguson playing the role of the Swedish singer, who was a real-life sensation in the United States, with the help of P. T. Barnum and his circus, and performances at venues like Niblo's Garden and The Broadway Theatre (53rd Street).

Category:2017 films Category:American musical drama films Category:Biographical films about entertainers Category:Films about circuses Category:Films set in the 19th century