The Phantom of the Opera

Plot Summary

Based on the stage musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a man who lives in the catacombs below the Paris Opera. Wearing a mask to hide a disfigurement the man has become known as the Phantom. Creeping around the old building, the attention of the Phantom (Gerard Butler), who is a musical genius, is caught by a young, talented, chorus line singer. The Phantom secretly trains the girl, Christine (Emmy Rossum), to improve her talent and she gets her big chance when lead singer, Charlotta (Minnie Driver), storms out of rehearsals in a tantrum. The Phantom falls in love with his young prodigy and his love becomes an obsession. This doesn't bode well for Raoul (Patrick Wilson), Christine's suitor. You just know there's going to be trouble!!

Review

The film sticks closely to the stage musical and goes through all the musical numbers from the show. Nearly all of the dialogue is sung. It is as if the theatrical stage performance has been transplanted onto film. Dramatically staged movie-sets and elaborate, flamboyant costumes add to the theatrical feeling. Stage musicals and theatre have a magical atmosphere of there own but this film manages to capture some of this magic and add to it in ways that cannot be done in a live performance. The movie starts in black and white and shows the Paris Opera in ruins. There is a fantastic, powerful scene when the old central chandelier is lifted up towards the ceiling. The music starts, colour starts to fill the screen and the viewer is transported back to the glory days of the opera house. The screen is filled with vibrant colour, sound, and an air of anticipation. This breathtaking scene is true cinematic magic!

I'm far from qualified to comment on the quality of the singing but I thought the performances from Gerard Butler as the Phantom, and Emmy Rossum as Christine were great. There is no doubt that this film will appeal most to fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical but it's definitely not a requirement to know all the words!! I haven't seen the show but was glad that I recognised most of the songs. However if you are not a big lover of musicals you might find this movie about 15 or 20 minutes too long.

There is good support from Patrick Wilson, Minnie Driver and Miranda Richardson. Minnie Driver, in particular, deserves a mention. She plays prima-donna Carlotta who is a real diva; very demanding and prone to the odd tantrum! Her screechy, hysterical performance is great.

Lasting Thought: Even without the mask maybe all of us are masquerading - giving a deceptive show or pretence - pretending to be someone or something.

The Bottom Line: Dramatic theatrical scenes, sets and costumes. A movie full of energy, vibrant colour and sound. It is very much like a stage musical - even the dialogue is sung. Perhaps 20 minutes too long. If you enjoy The Phantom of the Opera you might like to watch Moulin Rouge or Chicago.

Previewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2004.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS: JOEL SCHUMACHER: Phone Booth,  Veronica Guerin.  GERARD BUTLER: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life.  EMMY ROSSUM: The Day After Tomorrow.  MIRANDA RICHARDSON: The Prince And Me.  CIARAN HINDS:  The Sum Of All Fears,  Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life,  Veronica Guerin.

Genre: Musical/Drama/Romance

Director: Joel Schumacher

Certificate: The Phantom of the Opera is rated 12PG by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie). There are some short scenes of moderate violence and scary moments.

Official Movie Website: The Phantom Of The Opera

~ Main Cast ~

Gerard  Butler

Emmy Rossum

Patrick Wilson

Miranda Richardson

Minnie Driver

Ciaran Hinds

Jennifer Ellison

RATING

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