‘Dear Evan Hansen’ review: Musical goes full melodrama on the big screen – National

Musicals very hardly ever make a easy transition into films — see Les Misérables or Phantom of the Opera or the current Cats — so there’s a whole lot of strain on Broadway darling Expensive Evan Hansen to make the grade.

The Tony Award-winning musical, which follows the story of Evan Hansen (performed onscreen by Ben Platt), an anxious, depressed teenager attempting to make his approach by means of highschool within the age of social media, principally succeeds as a film. Apparently, it might survive with none of the songs and may truly be a greater movie, however that’s neither right here nor there because the songs are right here to remain.

Expensive Evan Hansen, movie model, is melodramatic, significantly when the actors sing/yell/cry into the digital camera, however even for those who’re not one to determine with this sort of film, you’ll most likely end up underneath its spell by the tip. A lot of the supporting actors are magnetic, and play a significant half in filling out the story.

Isn’t Platt too previous to play a young person?

You’d suppose so, however he manages to tug it off. He’ll be turning 28 on the date of launch, so he’s an excellent decade out of highschool. Nonetheless, this isn’t one thing new; Hollywood has been casting full-on adults as teenagers because the ’80s. It’s a minor quibble that doesn’t detract from the film, and, to be trustworthy, critics of the movie are specializing in this non-issue an excessive amount of.

Many critics are deriding the film. Are they justified?

Critics have publicly aired their emotions concerning the film: some are theatre followers and say it’s not loyal to the play, others suppose it’s a weak show of the trials of psychological sickness, and others nonetheless say one of many primary characters will get brief shrift (I received’t reveal right here as to not spoil). It’s positively not an ideal movie, and doubtless goes on a bit too lengthy — it’s longer than the precise play — nevertheless it’s a telling story, significantly in regard to social media and our at-a-distance tradition.

When one thing terrible occurs to somebody within the film, the teenagers are fast to “help” the trigger, however are they doing it for real causes or are they merely collaborating so as to additional themselves? Our reply is perhaps revealed after we see folks taking selfies in entrance of the character’s locker to submit to social media. “Doing it for the ‘gram” or “doing it for the likes” — both approach, it’s a transparent depiction of our present actuality.

I’ll concede the film stumbles when it offers with suicide and suicidal ideation. It’s far too surface-brush, virtually glossed over by tune, and family members are too fast at overcoming grief.

You mentioned the supporting forged is nice. How so?

The most important standout to me, though her character is thinly drawn, is Amandla Stenberg as overachieving pupil Alana Beck. You may keep in mind her from her starring position in 2018’s The Hate U Give, and it’s good to see her on-screen charisma isn’t restricted to that film. She has a presence that’s robust to explain, however each time she’s part of the proceedings, issues perk up. Vets Julianne Moore, Amy Adams and Danny Pino, because the mother and father, all excel of their components and, excluding Adams, shock as comparatively sturdy singers.

You’re not promoting me right here.

On the threat of growing old myself, I usually surprise what it might be prefer to be in highschool with social media. It sounds terrible, to be trustworthy, and I’m undecided how any teenager navigates that form of strain now. Expensive Evan Hansen addresses this before everything, and the entire film’s proceedings are depending on social media and the way folks react on the assorted platforms. What’s performative, then, and what’s honest? These are questions the film brings to the fore, and in our world at the moment that’s extremely vital, particularly for these with a psychological sickness they really feel strain to maintain hidden. For these youngsters and teenagers, this story could also be a invaluable lifeline.

So what’s the underside line?

Positively not for everybody, Expensive Evan Hansen is an emotional journey. Some of us will discover it an amazing bore (some moviegoers have even described it as “hilarious”), whereas I think for others it’ll communicate to them, particularly those that struggled (or are struggling) with psychological well being points at that age. Convey some tissues alongside, too, as a result of for those who’re within the latter camp, there will likely be tears.

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‘Expensive Evan Hansen’ is now enjoying in theatres throughout Canada. Please seek the advice of your native listings for extra data.