The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman had a astounding production budget of $84 million. Directed by Michael Gracey (his directorial debut). Written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon. Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. The Greatest Showman is inspired by the story of P. T. Barnum's real live story about the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The Greatest Showman takes place in the 1850s to 1860s. Were a young boy falls in love with his childhood friend. He grows up to marry her and struggles to give here a life of luxury. The same life of luxury she walked away from, to be with him for. The Greatest Showman received mixed reviews. At the 75th Golden Globe Awards, the film received three nominations: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Jackman), and Best Original Song ("This Is Me"), winning the latter. A original movie musical hadn’t been approved in 23 years, for a studio to say yes to that was amazing. It took seven and a half years to get this movie made.

Principal photography on the film began in New York City in November 2016, and it premiered on December 8, 2017. The film was released in the United States on December 20, 2017 by 20th Century Fox. Just seven months after the circus stopped operating, and has grossed $160 million worldwide. The Greatest Showman received mixed reviews. Jackman’s vocal performances are beyond stunning. In a behind the scenes You Tube video. The movie wasn’t green lite ( approved to move forward ) until a read threw could happen. That read threw that took eight months to schedule all the crew involved. Jackman called the director the night before with interesting news. Jackman told Gracey he “ had just had a skin cancer cut outta his nose and all is fine, but I had 80 sticks in my nose. My Dr. said your not allowed to sing.” But when the walk threw happened. He found himself caught up in the last song From Now On. Were half way threw he couldn’t help himself and broke out into full song. A clip that has nearly 3 million views online. Interesting backstory that Jackman eleven. He wanted to take advanced dancing classes. But a fellow class mate made fun him for it. Jackman stopped dancing. Later on when he was 18, he seen that same childhood friend that made fun of him and he apologized to Jackman. The next day Jackman signed up for dance lessons.

This movie was inspired by P. T. Barnum the man. Who was born 1810 in Bethel, Connecticut and died 1891. Barnum was an American showman, politician, and businessman. Barnum became a small-business owner in his early twenties, and founded a weekly newspaper. He choose to move to New York City in 1834. It was then he wanted to establish his entertainment career. After purchasing the Scudder's American Museum. He renamed after himself. Barnum used the museum as a platform to show human curiosities and had entertainment shows. These shows angered some people that called the show hoaxes. Barnum said himself, "I am a showman by profession”. He insisted they were just entrainment.

Barnum wanted to do more. In 1850, Lind an opera singer went to America at the invitation of the showman P. T. Barnum. She gave 93 large-scale concerts for him. She earned more than $350,000 from these concerts, donating the proceeds to charities ( $9.97 million in todays currency ). By early 1851, Lind had become uncomfortable with Barnum's relentless marketing of the tour, and she choose to sever her ties with Barnum. The two parted ways with no problems. Barnum served two terms in the Connecticut legislature in 1865 as a Republican for Fairfield. The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution over slavery and African-Americans. Barnum spoke before the legislature and said, “A human soul, that God has created and Christ died for, is not to be trifled with. It may tenant the body of a Chinaman, a Turk, an Arab or a Hottentot. it is still an immortal spirit ”. Later elected in 1875 as Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He worked to improve the water supply, bring gas lighting to streets, and enforce liquor and prostitution laws. Barnum was vital in starting Bridgeport Hospital, founded in 1878. He was it’s first president.

The circus was the main source of most of his everlasting fame. He founded "P. T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan & Hippodrome," a traveling circus. Barnum died of a stroke at his home residence in 1891. To honor the 200th anniversary of Barnum's birth, the city commissioned a life-size sculpture. September 26, 2010 it was dedicated and it stands outside the public library .

The costumes were amazing well done for this film, eighty five percent custom made and only fifteen percent purchased items. More than 60,000 Swarovski crystals throughout this film were used on costumes. Jewels set the tone. Romantic colors and rich colors were chosen. The designers ran the spectrum of reds, blues, pinks, purples, greens. Swarovski was chosen because it’s sophisticated and everything looks better with sparkles on it. For example Zendaya’s purple performance outfit. Jenny's gowns were custom-built and reworked as contemporary pieces. She wears color, but in rich, jewel tones, including a gold-embellished blue dress. The ringmaster is a special costume. That is the person that is the main focus the entire show. It was important the costume this was stylish, and that it moved with his body. Red lush silken wool that reflected the light was used for the showman outfit. Charity, Barnum’s wife wears a soft, flowing and non-corseted silhouette. Her 40s style is set to be contemporary, including a beautiful blush, silk, embellished gown. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick designed 321 principal costumes over a 16-week shoot that would dress a huge range of characters, including a circus audience of 400; 22 acrobat performers; children, who grew during production; hundreds of tattered townspeople; and a large array of royal guards. What's more, the characters included a three-legged man, a 7-foot-5-inch giant, a 4-foot-2 Napoleon, and a ringmaster with 25 complete suit ensembles. From post civil war in New York to Queen Vitoria’s court. The wide range of costumes dazzles.

Saw January 5 2018 in the Edwards Long Beach Stadium theater

The Greatest Showman
Directed by Michael Gracey
Produced by Laurence Mark, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping
Screenplay by Jenny Bicks, Bill Condon
Story by Jenny Bicks
Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya
Music by John Debney, Joseph Trapanese
Cinematography : Seamus McGarvey
Edited by Joe Hutshing
Production company : Chernin Entertainment, Seed Productions, Laurence Mark Productions, TSG Entertainment
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date : December 8, 2017 (RMS Queen Mary 2), December 20, 2017 (United States)
Running time : 105 minutes
Country : United States
Language :English

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