Come From Away movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Come From Away

This touching Broadway musical is available exclusively on Apple TV+ ever since it was released on September 10^th to honor the anniversary of 911.

RATING: TV-14

LENGTH: 1 hour 46 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

I was recovering in bed from foot surgery when my twin sister called to tell me she had just seen the stage musical “Come From Away”. She absolutely loved it and told me to find the soundtrack on my Alexa device so I could listen while stuck in bed. With her enthusiastic endorsement of the show, I listened to it while laying horizontal in bed. Without even seeing the actors or knowing exactly what was happening on stage, the music and storytelling evoked tears streaming down my face.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to finally watch this on Apple TV+. “Come From Away” is the filmed version of the award-winning Broadway musical about 7,000 people who were stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland after all flights into the US are grounded on September 11, 2001. As the people of Newfoundland graciously welcome the “come from aways” into their community in the aftermath, the passengers and locals alike process what’s happened while finding love, laughter, and new hope in the unlikely and lasting bonds that they forge.

“Come From Away” is directed by Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley, who directed the original Broadway production, and stars an ensemble cast led by members of the Broadway show. The live performance of “Come From Away” was filmed at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City for an audience that included 9/11 survivors and front-line workers.

THINGS I LIKED:

This is a fascinating true story very few of us ever heard about 9/11. It will absolutely warm your heart.
The talented and energetic cast is superb. I love that the diverse cast looks like real people, not a bunch of movie stars in fancy costumes. They all play multiple roles as stranded airplane passengers and citizens of Newfoundland.
Fantastic choreography. Now, I’m not talking about big Broadway dance numbers. The cast’s simple movements are perfectly in sync and planned to every second to capture each moment beautifully. They will make you laugh, sigh, ache, and cry.
The simple stage design magically transforms into an airplane, bar, restaurant, and more.
The music is compelling, but the lyrics are profoundly touching.
The stage production film was directed by Christopher Ashley, giving you the best seat in the house for a Broadway musical.
The book, music, and lyrics are by Irene Sankoff and David Hein.
After the actors take their final curtain call, you get to watch the musicians on the stage perform lively folk music to send off the cheering audience with smiles on their faces.
You get to see the real people the story is about in photographs during the rolling credits at the end of the film.
They were originally going to film a feature adaptation of the musical on location in Newfoundland, using the people there as Extras, but those plans were canceled due to the pandemic.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

I loved, loved this show.
I’m sad that so few people know about it. Some people may hear that it’s about 9/11 and think that sounds like a terrible idea for a Broadway musical or movie. If you’re feeling reluctant about watching this, take a chance on it. You won’t be disappointed.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

There is no objectional content in the stage production; however, the context is 9/11 and the frightening reality that terrorists attacked American soil and killed thousands of people.