The Fantasticks
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.39 You Save: $5.59 (37%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.81 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Fantasticks
Movie Review: The kind of September, when grass was green...
Summary: 2 Stars
This film version of the wildly popular musical was very nearly scrapped, but the intervention of Francis Ford Coppola gave it a limited release on the big screen followed by the video release. Is it any good? Well, yes and no.The plot concerns the machinations of two next door neighbors who pretend to have a feud in the hopes that their children will fall in love (the lure forbidden fruit and all that). They enlist the help of a strange traveling circus to aid them in their plan. The first half of the movie is quite decent and somewhat sweet, and I enjoyed it very much. And then, for some reason, the movie completely derails, gets flat out bizarre (and earns its PG rating) before ending on a weird note.
If you are a die-hard fan of the original musical you will probably hate this movie, because the music has been basically butchered. The performances range from good (Joel Grey) to lame (Joe McIntyre) to inexplicable (Vegas magician Teller). But then there is Jonathan Morris. I've never seen him in anything else, but he has an incredible, mesmerizing presence. The script changes his character completely halfway through the film, which is annoying, but his performance continues to stay with me, especially his gentle rendition of "Try to Remember" (which, despite being the most famous song in the musical, is given about one minute of screen time. Grrr.). He made the movie worth seeing (once) for me, but all others beware.
It's really too bad; there was great potential here but the filmmakers muffed it. Maybe they'll try again someday, but until then you can check out the original Broadway soundtrack to see what all the fuss was about in the first place. I give this film version 2.5 stars, which I rounded down to two. Morris is really the only reason to catch this one.
Movie Grade: C/C-
Movie Review: The charming little musical that tried to be a movie.
Summary: 2 Stars
On stage, the Fantasticks is a heartwarming moving wonderful experience about coming of age. It brings tears to the eyes and is joyous. As a movie musical, it tries so hard...like the little musical that could... but alas in the end it can't and falls flat. And that is too bad.The lyrics go,"what once was scenic in the night may seem cynic in the light." Well what was scenic on the stage was cynic on film. On stage the coming of age story is charming.
On film, it is annoying, cloying and dripping with artificial sweetener.
What is sad, is that you find yourself rooting for the film to work--but it tries so hard that it is like a horse that collapes halfway through the race . The director, I believe, gave it his best shot but this is just not movie material.
Giving way to political correctness, they replaced the hilarious "Rape" song with one not nearly as good called "the Abduction." This sets the compromised tone of the movie.
People who have never seen a stage production of this
owe it to themselves to find one and see that and not this hyper artsy fartsy thing that smells up the whole proceeding. But it is a must for people who love the musical as a study as what not to bring to the screen and how not to film a musical.
Movie Review: VERY flawed film of a theatre classic
Summary: 2 Stars
THE FANTASTICKS has been a fixture in theatre for almost 40 years now, and while it is nice to see this show finally appear on film, this particular version leaves one feeling rather empty. The cast, for the most part are fine, especially Joel Grey, Barnard Hughs and Teller. However, it never quite jells into a magical whole. Part of that may be due to the fact that the show itself is SO dependant on the stagecraft that helped set the tone. A lot of it has to due with the editing that leaves some very strange choices: the reduction of the hit "Try to Remember" into little more than a wrap-up number at film's end, El Gallo's role as narrarator basically being eliminated, and the fact that Broadway pro Joel Grey is partnered with an actor who can barely carry a tune. All of these things plus more add up to a rather lame version of a great play. Thankfully, the DVD special features adds to the experience with deleted scenes and songs, showing us what COULD have been. While I recommend the DVD for musical buffs, I cannot recommend this film for the average viewer.Movie Review: Ultimate Primer on how NOT to bring a classic to the screen
Summary: 2 Stars
The Fantasticks strength is in the intimate and very theatrical presentation. With a small band and a small house it is at its best. However, when making the move to the screen almost all of what made The Fantasticks the longest running musical is lacking. It is unfortunate, for the location and house sets are almost perfect for the show. But the characterizations are skewed and lacking, and changes made for this movie almost always moves it away from the charming stage classic. Musical numbers are eliminated, and the shows best known song, Try to Remember, is included briefly at the end as an afterthought that it had to be represented.
There are some things that work here, and if you have not seen the show you may even enjoy it. But don't expect The Fantasticks that launched a young Jerry Orbach on a long career.
Movie Review: Fantasticks butchered
Summary: 2 Stars
Other reviewers give essential information on the editing of this film. Here's my review: Coppola butchered the thing. The narrative has been stripped of any sub plots, any minor characters, any scenes that would flesh out these few characters and their story. The two lovers acquire the needed hardship to make their love meaningful in so few minutes it's difficult to see before and after differences. After seeing the thing straight through, I went to the deleted scenes and watched each one; many were very short; all were needed. Deleted and shortened songs: unforgivable. Yes, the cinematography is beautiful, casting works, etc. Someone needs to get control of the original of this film and restore its guts.