The Greatest Showman: Why This Film Deserves to Be Watched

By Lindsey Purcell

Elephants, trapeze artists, dancers, and colorful costumes… this is the greatest show! The Greatest Showman was released on December 20th, 2017 and captivated audiences around the globe with its catchy songs and heartwarming story. Directed by Michael Gracey, the film stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya and Michelle Williams. Hugh Jackman, who plays P.T. Barnum, was nominated for a Golden Globe, and the movie won four Teen Choice Awards. There are many reasons why viewers should stream this film if they didn’t get a chance to see it in theaters.
​
The film begins by foreshadowing the life that the protagonist, P.T. Barnum, aspires to have then cuts to him as a young boy dreaming of his future. The Greatest Showman also shows the blossoming love that Barnum has for Charity, played by Michelle Williams, and the life they share together. ​

Throughout the movie, P.T. Barnum seeks to have a grand circus that people of all ages would want to see. He teams up with Philip Carlyle, played by Efron, and recruits entertainment from a variety of acts, including the bearded lady and a trapeze performing duo, Anne (Zendaya) and W.D. Wheeler. They face many obstacles such as protests from those opposed to the show’s diverse acts. Will the show be what P.T. Barnum hoped for, or will it be just a dream?

The film’s soundtrack was another major component to its success. At the Golden Globe Awards, the song “This is Me” won Best Original Song and was also nominated for an Academy Award. “Rewrite the stars” and “The Greatest Show” are also catchy songs that viewers won’t want to stop singing.

The film is based on real-life events and attempts to preserve the details of the original story of P.T. Barnum and Bailey’s Circus; the movie used costumes from the real circus. Another  aspect that adds to the authenticity of the movie is that 22- year-old actress Zendaya did all of her own stunts. The lighting and bright colors also added to the positive message of the movie.
​
The Greatest Showman is a family-friendly movie (rated PG) that evokes a wide range of emotions and underscores a message about accepting different people and believing in yourself. “No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else” -P.T.