The Fantasticks
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Movie Reviews of The Fantasticks
Movie Review: An interesting take...
Summary: 4 Stars
The Fantasticks is a delightful show, full of metaphor. If you don't like metaphor, don't bother. If you do, this is a must for your collection. The two fathers make the show for me, so bumbling, but so in love with their children they'd do whatever it takes to make it work. Joel Gray is superb. And at this point in my life, "Try to Remember" always brings a tear...Movie Review: The Unkindest Cut(s) Of All.
Summary: 3 Stars
Over the course of my 20 year theatrical "career" I appeared in three different productions of THE FANTASTICKS. First in high school, then in community theatre, and finally in a professional theatre. Each time I played the same role of Mortimer, the man who dies (that's because I couldn't sing but I did die rather well). Imagine my indignation when I discovered that he was all but eliminated in this film version of the long running musical along with Henry, the old actor. As played by Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Barnard Hughes this constitutes a criminal offense on the part of Francis Ford Coppola who was responsible for re-editing the original film five years after it was finished. But that's only the beginning. He also shortened or removed several of the play's signature tunes (TRY TO REMEMBER, PLANT A RADISH) as well as key scenes including the one with the cardboard moon which states the central point of the play which is "to see it not with your eyes for they are wise but with your ears". Why this was done is hard to fathom as it not only minimizes the storyline but reduces the musical moments as well. Fortunately the DVD has all this missing material (as bonus features) which allows you to reconstruct the film as it was and should have been released. Despite the hatchet job in the editing room there is still a lot to recommend. The play had to be opened up from its humble stage origins and this was done by giving it an OKLAHOMA like setting (it was shot in the same location) and by making El Gallo the head of a mysterious traveling carnival. The performances by the entire cast are not overpowering but they are not meant to be and they fit the characters just fine. Remember THE FANTASTICKS was created as a sort of anti-musical in reaction to the large scale Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals of the day and with an eye to amateur performances. The cinematography is lovely, the updated script by original creators Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt works well and despite the misguided efforts of Coppola there is still the simple, memorable music that retains the power to grab you if you "see it with your ears". So in the end I was pleased with the film overall with the 5 star musical getting a 4 star treatment minus a star for the horrendous editing. If you love THE FANTASTICKS (or old fashioned musicals in general) then this DVD is certainly worth having and maybe one day the film will be released as originally shot so that we don't have to play the King's men and try and put Humpty Dumpty together again. The commentary by director Michael Ritchie is entertaining and informative regarding how and why certain things were done.Movie Review: Nice, but far from the original
Summary: 3 Stars
There is much to admire in this attempt to bring The Fantasticks to the screen. The photography is absolutely beautiful, for one. I'm reminded of the magical, story book images that characterized the best of the movie musicals, like "Oaklahoma!". The story is presented in an imaginative way, too; after all, you can't really take a play staged on a small wooden platform in small halls and just film it. You don't have the intimacy once it's on the screen. So I give it high points for the imaginative staging.And most of the cast is good, too, with one exception- Jonathon Morris' El Gallo. Now Morris is a good actor, and he brings some good qualities to the dramatic aspects of this role, but he's a relatively weak singer. If you've ever heard Jerry Orbach in the original Broadway cast recording, you know how a the role should be sung. Orbach's El Gallo is a commanding figure, taking center stage. Morris is almost peripheral. It works, after a fashion, but it's weak.
I'm also not crazy about the decision to put "Try To Remember" at the end, rather than the beginning, of the movie. I suppose there's an argument to be made that it works well enough there, but it served a critical function at the opening of the play. When El Gallo comes out at the opening of the theatrical show and sings "Try To Remember" he's setting the stage for what's to follow. He's telling the audience to get a a particular frame of mind, to forget the way the world is and to imagine a time in the past, perhaps the imaginary past, a time when things were simpler and more innocent.
It's also important that El Gallo is in the center of an empty stage when he sings this. He's telling the audience to listen- there's something important they need to pay attention to. But when Morris sings this at the end of the movie, the camera is panning over the caravan, occasionally pausing to show miller, whose attention isn't so much on the song or the message as it is on the road ahead. Without its context, the most powerful song in the show becomes merely incidental trailer music. It's a mere footnote.
So: As a movie musical, not too bad. I've seen far worse. Cinematography, five stars. It's beautifully filmed. But for Fantasticks fans, one star.
Movie Review: Not terrible as some say, but a disappointment
Summary: 3 Stars
I've seen Sullivan Street and Snapple Center stage versions and consider myself a knowledgeable fan--I can't be as harsh as others, but there are some disappointments for sure.
It's a movie, so they're going to "open it out" and the traveling carnival concept is not bad and worked sometimes ("You are Love") and even "Soon It's Gonna Rain" but the "carnies" often distract: during the abduction song and especially the abduction scene--more Henry and Mortimer and fewer extras, please.
Also, what's with the bawdy sight gags during what on stage is the "On the Road to an Episode" scene--did someone's junior high-age son sneak onto the computer--so out of sync with the entire show! Plus side, the expanded dancing scenes added a lot.
A big problem is the literal script, I'm surprised to see Schmidt and Jones wrote it. Too many things are explained (though it enhanced the "Let's Just Dance" sequence). Trust the material, people get it!
Casting was mostly strong--I LIKED El Gallo--less effected than most--Luisa was fantastic! Joel Grey, always a joy. But Joe McIntyre at best ordinary and at worst looked amateur. Barnard Hughes was great but his part criminally cut, and the great talents of Teller absolutely wasted! Overall, a disappointment but I wouldn't blame the "carnival" concept, but rather some choices made within that idea.
I do think any fan should view it at some point--if only for the (strong, methinks) interpretation of El Gallo, Joel Grey, Jean Louisa Kelly as Luisa, some great photography and the informed arguments one can make with fellow "Fantasticks" fans!
Movie Review: Mixed Bag
Summary: 3 Stars
I love the original Off-Broadway stage production. I saw it in 1972 when I was 16. The film could have been so much better. As it is, it's OK. Granted, this is a musical that weaves it magic on the stage where imagination and intimacy are part of the show. That being said, this film is a mixed bag. I like the girl a lot. The boy...not so much. Joel Grey is fine but the actor playing the boy's father seems all wrong for the part. Barnard Hughes and Teller are perfectly cast. The choice for El Gallo is peculiar. Sounding a lot like Peter O'Toole, his perfomance is hit and miss. The film LOOKS great with an intelligent use of magic hour light. The orchestrations by that genius, Jonathan Tunick are, quite simply, brilliant! The first time I saw the film, the opening title sequence began and within moments I said to myself "That sounds like Jonathan Tunick's orchestrations." About 30 seconds later, the credit appeared on the screen, "Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick". Amazing! Taking a beautiful score originally performed by piano and harp, it fully blossoms with his lush romantic musical sensibilities. Thank you so much, Mr. Tunick.