Just for fun

[kirei_seimei]

Happy Australia Day! I didn't spend much of my day in a patriotic manner... went to (Japanese) naginata training (and grading - passed, woo hoo!), visited a photographic exhibition with keldaryth, went to the city and bought a DVD of an American TV series (The Shield Season 3) and saw an American/English film (Sweeney Todd) All in all it's been a great

Comments

[geldfuss]

I saw snippets of the original Sweeney Todd production in a documentary on Broadway musicals a while back, and I've always wanted to see it. Now I've seen the film adaptation, and poked around on the Internet for clips of the chorus numbers, I can safely say Sweeney Todd is probably my favourite musical ever. It's one of the very few I'd want to actually perform in.
It's interesting to see how polarised audiences are with the film. Looking at user reviews on the Web, a lot of people really HATE the film. Frankly, I think it's musically excellent, actually adding to the tension and integral to the story rather than distracting and separate. Come to think of it, the main thing I like about the music is that it seems to be written for actors rather than singers.
Is it worrying that the one part I find me singing to myself is "We all deserve to die"?

[kirei_seimei]

A little worrying, maybe, but you have to admit that it's damn catchy. ;)

Sondheim apparently insisted that all the actors do their own singing; and that in casting they should look at people who are actors first, singers second (as opposed to singers trying to act). Although, when Tim Burton is directing there is very little question as to who will probably have a leading role, LOL.

The story and music are highly integrated, I was thinking "it's like opera" as I watched it, because so much of the story occurs in song (unlike a musical like Sound of Music, which to me uses music to illustrate points but doesn't completely replace dialogue as to medium of plot).

I can see how this is a movie that would polarise. I can't say that I love it above all other musicals (I have too many fond childhood memories), but I really did enjoy it very much.

[geldfuss]

Perhaps a slight exaggeration to call it my favourite. My tastes (as I'm sure it is with most people) shift over time, so it's pretty useless to declare one thing a favourite over all others. One of my favourites, I s'pose would be closer.

It's absolutely operatic, and that's what makes it work. The music should draw you in, complement the plot.