The Prom movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Prom: A New Musical

Available on Netflix on December 11, 2020

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Directed by Ryan Murphy, who brought us the smash-hit TV series Glee: Season 1, this colorful, glitzy musical is about some self-obsessed celebrities who try to help a lesbian teen go to prom with her girlfriend in an effort to get a PR boost for their own fading careers. It has been adapted from the Tony-nominated Broadway musical whose run was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The director chose to bench the talented, original cast members from the stage plan in favor of the star-studded cast, which includes Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Kerry Washington, James Corden, Andrew Rannells, and Tracey Ullman. I have never seen the musical before, but I’ve heard that this movie version stays pretty true to the stage play. It’s sure to be a hit.

If you don’t appreciate Broadway or musicals, stay away from this movie. How can you not love Broadway?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Lesbian relationships
Some profanity
Activism
Some girls wear tight and revealing clothing

THEMES:

“It is possible to change the world.” – Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep)
“Put other people’s interests above your own.” – Mr. Hawkins (Keegan-Michael Key)
Hypocrisy
Love thy neighbor
Tolerance
Forgiveness
Diversity
Don’t be afraid to show who you are
Courage

THINGS I LIKED:

Meryl Streep’s singing has never been better. She was really good in the musical-turned-movie Into The Woods but she looks even more stunning and sounds even better in this film. I didn’t think the movie Ricki And The Flash flattered her or even showed her true talents, but this film does. She’s an American icon in film.
One of the sweetest songs is We Look to You sung by Keegan Michael-Key. What a lovely ode to all Broadway fans. If you haven’t seen him in Jingle Jangle, a Netflix Christmas movie, check out my review of that because it’s really great.
Andrew Rannells is so talented that I’m surprised we haven’t seen him in more musicals since The Book Of Mormon (Original Broadway Cast Recording) [Explicit]. His big musical number condenses the message of the entire movie into one song: Love Thy Neighbor
Fun, new, over-the-top, and very energetic songs with super cute choreography.
I’ve never seen those infrared masks before that two of the celebrities wear in one of the scenes to pamper themselves. Curious about them? I actually found them on Amazon! Have you ever used one?

<br />

Nicole Kidman’s Bob Fosse scene was really cute. Complete with jazz hands, the song she sings with Jo Ellen Pellman is called Zazz She plays a character who was a chorus girl for 20 years in the musical Chicago, but she finally left because she never got to audition for the lead role of Roxie Hart. In real life, Nicole Kidman actually turned down the part in 2002.
Fun fact: James Corden stars in the show and kills it. He hosted the 2019 Tony Awards ceremony in which The Prom was nominated for Best Musical. He can always be counted on to bring the laughter but he also, unexpectedly, evokes the feels.
New to some audiences are Jo Ellen Pellman and Ariana DeBose (Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording (Explicit Version)) We are sure to see a lot more of them both in the future. They’re fantastic. I’ll keep you posted when Ariana DeBose’s performance in WEST SIDE STORY hits the big screen. She’s working on that new movie now.
Some of the lyrics are hilarious and insightful. I can see the soundtrack being extremely popular because so many songs are so catchy and will stick in your head. Here’s the link to snag it on Amazon: The Prom (Music from the Netflix Film) Warming: some of them can also be offensive.
The timing of the very touching scenes was perfectly balanced with all the fun.
You’ll want to dance by the end of the movie.
The funny lines and jabs fly fast and furiously, so you’ll probably want to watch this again.
The movie is long but doesn’t feel like it at all.
It was fun to see the actors in real life make fun of their own profession and celebrity.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Social conservatives may feel uncomfortable being made fun of during the entire movie.
Nicole Kidman doesn’t have a lot to do in the film and attempts a Brooklyn accent.
Poor Indiana gets shamed for its traditional values.
I was surprised this would come out at Christmas time rather than in the Spring when high schools usually hold prom, but then again, we all need as much good cheer as possible in 2020!
There is nothing subtle about the message of the movie: tolerance. The characters aggressively talk about right and wrong, but they forget that everyone has different definitions for those words. Everyone needs to show respect for others’ beliefs, even when they disagree with them. It goes both ways.
All of the characters are extremely one-dimensional.
The narrative of the plot doesn’t illustrate the message it preaches. The self-absorbed celebrities end up getting the praise and press they originally craved even though they supposedly learn greater lessons about serving others without reward.

FUNNY LINES:

* “Rom-com Friday is sacred.” – Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep)

“Why does being good cost so much money?” – Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep)
“You guys are the best middle-aged people I’ve ever met.” – Emma Nolan (Jo Ellen Pellman)

INTERESTING LINES:

“You can’t cherry-pick the Bible which parts you want to believe.” – Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells)
“This heart’s the best part of me.” – lyrics to a song sung by Jo Ellen Pellman
“I just don’t want you to have a hard life.” – mom “It’s already hard.” – Alyssa Greene (Ariana DeBose)
“One thing’s universal…Life’s no dress rehearsal.” – lyrics from the song Tonight Belongs to You