Casting big names in musical films

[Marianne2]

I agree that Emmy Rossum in Phantom was bad. Besides that role, I sort of have no idea who she is either. I also didn't care for Pierce Brosnan at all in Mamma Mia! His singing was horrendous, but I also didn't find his character too interesting. I'm sure there are others out there who don't think that way.

[Dave19]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS75wjS_Y88&list=UUggO99g88eUDPcqkTShOPvw&index=1

A refreshing review from someone who didn't know the material at all, and only knew "Wolverine" and "The Gladiator".

This is what he had to say.

[James885]

I'd rather see a phenomenal actor with an average voice, then a phenomenal singer with average acting.

I believe it was Sondheim who stated in an interview when the Sweeney Todd film came out that he prefers 'actors who sing' in a movie musical over singers trying to act.

I had no problem with Crowe's voice. Would I want to see him as Javert in the stage show? Not at all.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

After seeing the movie, my feeling is this. This was all about the acting. Furthermore, the fact they sang live didn't help matters. Try to listen to the soundtrack without Hathaway's acting to watch and it is definitely sub-par, when u add the close ups, I was blown away! Hugh Jackman did a fine job, Barks, I fell was directed to underplay "On My Own" which in live performances she performed differently, Seyfried, for me, Cosette's part has always been, for lack of a better word, annoying and the way it's written musically does nothing for me, so she didn't bother me too much, but her voice is very thin- I would love to know if she is the one really singing that high note, Crowe, God help him, he was miscast, which wasn't his fault, however I do fault him for not doing anything with the material, instead of just saying, ok, my voice isn't the greatest, but I can act the hell out of this, for me he fell flat, the kids were fine, Tveit was just there, the Thenadairs, Helena Bonaham Carter needs to stay away from musicals, she lacked the power vocally and had poor diction, acting was fine, Sashca Baron Cohen was ok, not really in the world of the play, for me Redmayne's Marius was the standout surprise performance. I'm ok with the big names so long as they don't take me out of the movie, which Crowe did everytime he sang. I realize it's abput selling tickets and I'm all for exposing anyone to theatre in hopes they'll go out and explore other things about the show- in this case a broadway/london cast recording. I wish the producers had trusted the material and the fact that "it's the number one musical in the world", but thats not always a gurantee and was seen with Phantom, but I don't remember as much advertising for Phantom either, that's another issue entirely, I realize, but Les Mis was everywhere, Producers- you gotta give a little to get a little. I thought this particular director was also a little out of his element and it was a good thing he had the actors he did, because many of those close-ups, of which there are too many, could've fallen falt and been boring otherwise. I was moved overall, and I think in recent years there have been some surprises from big screen stars in musicals.

[Dave19]

"I'm ok with the big names so long as they don't take me out of the movie, which Crowe did everytime he sang"

It really is a shame he does that to so many people....
Even to the people that went to Les Mis because of the Gladiator.

And yes, there are reactions like: "It wasn't too bad" or "I just didn't bother much", but is that what the fimmakers want? Really?

[Phillytheatreguy10]

I really would like to give movie execs the benefit of the doubt, and say I hope they aren't trying to turn out a sub-par product and wouldn't hesitate to make a change where a change is needed. I am not nieve enough to say that I'm sure this may not often be the case, but where something as known as this material is I would hope that at least, Cameron Mackintosh, noted as a producer, would've gone to bat for something as close to his heart as this must be.

[goldenboy]

You can't get financing for a big movie unless a star is attached.
The first thing a studio or finacier asks is "Who is attached.?"
Hairspray wouldn't have been made if John Travlolta weren't attached. (as bad as he was) However if you already have Russel Crowe and Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway attached, wouldn't they have been better off getting some truly funny people in the Master of the House roles But I'm sure attaching Sacha Baron Cohen and killer of all musical fare Helena Bonham Carter attached didn't hurt.

[darquegk]

I would have liked Rowan Atkinson and Catherine Tate as the Thenardiers..