I've sat through many, MANY movies that my kids begged to go see. Don't get me wrong. I've enjoyed most of them right along with them, but when the Academy Awards or Golden Globes hit, I realize that I don't get to see many movies outside of something to which I can take my kids. So when The Greatest Showman hit the theaters, and even better, at a time when the weather decided to test our ability to withstand frigid temperatures, I was thrilled with the prospect of seeing a different kind of family movie.
I went in not knowing a whole lot about the movie, but I had heard rave reviews from friends, and my kids seemed interested in going. We bundled up, chose our favorite theater, and settled in for what quickly became a couple hours of pure entertainment.
The movie wound it's way around the life of P.T. Barnum, from the time when he was a boy through the trials of living off the street to starting a family, having a career fail, and finally realizing his dreams. I was drawn in at the first beat of the music and found myself smiling and tapping my foot throughout. The audience takes a ride through the twists and turns, failures, challenges and successes of his life, all accompanied by a soundtrack that is catchy along with empowering.
The cast draws on the emotions of people just trying to fit in, coming upon the realization that who they are is exactly who they are supposed to be.
We were left with a quote from P.T. Barnum "The noblest art is that of making others happy." Well, Mr. Barnum, this story, the story of your life did just that for me. And, judging by the applause during the credits, I wasn't the only one.
As I glanced at my boys during the movie, I wondered if they were enjoying it as much as me. They were wide-eyed, but quiet, I assume taking it all in. On our drive home, I asked them their thoughts. "It was good," they said. "We liked all of it," they replied when I asked them to tell me their favorite part. Okay, I told them. If you want to play that game, you now have an assignment. And that is to write a review of this movie. From your perspective. Below is what they each wrote, word for word, with just a little help on the spelling front for my little man.
I hope you enjoy my little junior reporters' view of The Greatest Showman, and I truly hope you go see it for yourself.
(7 Years Old): Today I went to see The Greatest Showman. It was good. The person who was running the show his name is PT Barnum. He was amazing that he was the greatest showman, but he was just an ordinary kid. One of the times in the movie he stole bread! One of the scariest things I thought was when the circus got on fire!😧 At the end, he said that he just needed a tent. I really liked it because it was fantastic. You should see it!
(11 Years Old): I went to see The Greatest Showman and it's quite a good movie. The main character of the story is Phineas T. Barnum. When his job became bankrupt, he had no career. Originally, Barnum was poor and was treated like dirt. One day, he was walking along the sidewalk when he stole a loaf of bread from a market stand and ran into an alley. The market person took the loaf back, but a person with something resembling Treacher Collins Syndrome gave him an apple. Barnum might have thought the person was extraordinary and might've been the idea of the show business.
Barnum created a museum with fascinating items. A lot of people thought the museum was ludicrous and it did not do well. Then, Barnum had the ideas of finding people with talents and unique features. The first person he looked for liked old-time military leaders. He was very small. Barnum told him that he saw a general with a sword and a gun on a gallant horse. He ended up dressing as Napoleon. He found lots of people who were talented and unique. He actually found the Siamese Twins and a guy who apparently looked like Leonidas.the Spartan King. He found a building in New York City for his shows. There were protestors, but it was mostly a success. In one news article, it was described as a "circus." Pretty soon, Barnum called it a circus. But there is a great tragedy to the building. The circus is forced to move, and became even better. All in all, The Greatest Showman is one of the Greatest Movies!
