The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

"Weak"

The Phantom of the Opera (2004) Review


Criticism toward Joel Schumacher's attempted enactment of Andrew Lloyd Webber's cherished stage musical The Phantom of the Opera likely will fall on deaf ears. If you love the source material (I don't), the chances are high you'll thoroughly enjoy the latest film to pay tribute, even though Schumacher is functionally talentless.

Schumacher and his financial backers certainly spare no expense, though the bulk of their budget apparently went to candles. Their Phantom (the not-so-hideously-disfigured Gerard Butler) hides beneath opulent and gaudy-yet-dimly-lit theatrical set pieces that turn the normally regal Opera Populaire into the west wing of the Moulin Rogue. The Phantom's water-logged lair resembles exactly what it is - a poorly constructed, artificial set dropped into the corner of a vast soundstage. Hire the man who put nipples on the Bat suit, and you're going to get what you pay for. The masquerade ball, which occurs late in the story, starts to explore methods of filling the artistic canvas, but by then, it's too little, too late.

Regardless of your opinions on Webber's compositions, there's one unavoidable fact that prevents me from properly embracing a filmed Phantom - we're sitting in a seat watching performers not sing the show. Oh, Schumacher's cast may sing their hearts out in sound booths somewhere far off stage, but there's no sense of truth to the performance. Most manage beautifully with tunes one fellow critic cleverly described as "music written for Muppets."

When the movie rolls, we're asked to watch handsome but lifeless drones lip synch to previously recorded tracks while they lumber around with their arms glued to their sides. Emmy Rossum plays Christine, the apple of the Phantom's eye, who's elevated into leading lady status after the opera's reigning diva (Minnie Driver) drops out. Rossum has the pipes, for sure, but not the personality. Her Christine maintains a single facial expression throughout the show. Compared to Driver, though, Rossum is Oscar-worthy. Driver doing diva is positively grating in what's written to be a scene-stealing supporting part.

Ninety-five percent of Phantom is sung, a blessing for some and a curse for others. The real trouble, however, lies in the director's bland staging, which Schumacher shackles to the existing score. When one character sings, the others in frame typically stand still with their traps hanging open, politely waiting their turn to lip synch another dialogue line. Plot holes that plagued the original musical still exist, and the limitations of the show carry over onto the screen. Schumacher's dominant contributions amount to clownish, hammy antics backstage and silly asides by broadly drawn caricatures.

So what's the point? There's no passion in the cast's performance, no thrill tied to the notion of live theater and, worse, no showmanship utilizing the power of the cinematic medium. Rob Marshall's Chicago, which opened the door for this current wave of movie musicals and lit the fire under projects like Phantom, at least had the decency to transport its already existing stage story into our reality. Schumacher makes the mistake of leaving his action confined to a small space, and the self-imposed, capped ceiling stunts his film's potential growth.

Now, if you're looking for nothing more than a flat, straight-shooting presentation of the original Broadway soundtrack, Phantom delivers. For my money, I'd rather purchase a CD of the 1986 London cast recording, with Michael Crawford's Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine. At least, that is, if you enjoy cheesy, glam-synthesizer rock operas best suited for a cavernous arena.

Aka Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.

Move, phantoms, move!



Facts and Figures

Reviews

Contactmusic.com: 2 / 5

Cast & Crew

Director:

Contactmusic


Links


New Movies

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Review

After the thunderous reception for J.J. Abrams' Episode VII: The Force Awakens two years ago,...

Daddy's Home 2 Movie Review

Daddy's Home 2 Movie Review

Like the 2015 original, this comedy plays merrily with cliches to tell a silly story...

The Man Who Invented Christmas Movie Review

The Man Who Invented Christmas Movie Review

There's a somewhat contrived jauntiness to this blending of fact and fiction that may leave...

Ferdinand Movie Review

Ferdinand Movie Review

This animated comedy adventure is based on the beloved children's book, which was published in...

Brigsby Bear Movie Review

Brigsby Bear Movie Review

Director Dave McCary makes a superb feature debut with this offbeat black comedy, which explores...

Battle of the Sexes Movie Review

Battle of the Sexes Movie Review

A dramatisation of the real-life clash between tennis icons Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs,...

Shot Caller Movie Review

Shot Caller Movie Review

There isn't much subtlety to this prison thriller, but it's edgy enough to hold the...

Advertisement
The Disaster Artist Movie Review

The Disaster Artist Movie Review

A hilariously outrageous story based on real events, this film recounts the making of the...

Stronger Movie Review

Stronger Movie Review

Based on a true story about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, this looks like one...

Only the Brave Movie Review

Only the Brave Movie Review

Based on a genuinely moving true story, this film undercuts the realism by pushing its...

Wonder Movie Review

Wonder Movie Review

This film may be based on RJ Palacio's fictional bestseller, but it approaches its story...

Happy End  Movie Review

Happy End Movie Review

Austrian auteur Michael Haneke isn't known for his light touch, but rather for hard-hitting, award-winning...

Patti Cake$ Movie Review

Patti Cake$ Movie Review

Seemingly from out of nowhere, this film generates perhaps the biggest smile of any movie...

The Limehouse Golem Movie Review

The Limehouse Golem Movie Review

A Victorian thriller with rather heavy echoes of Jack the Ripper, this film struggles to...

Advertisement
Artists
Actors
    Filmmakers
      Artists
      Bands
        Musicians
          Artists
          Celebrities
             
              Artists
              Interviews