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Reviews
Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021)
I desperately wanted to score this higher, but...
Full disclosure here from the start, I adore the musical, and that's why I can't give this film a 10 as I wanted to.
Who made the ludicrous decision to remove the most powerful song in the musical and not include it?!?! The song Ugly in this ugly world, literally rips at your heartstrings, especially as a mother!
They also cut the song The legend of Loco Chanel, which is an awesome number!
It really bloody well annoys me when producers/directors get hold of a perfect musical and think they know better!
They did do a great job of putting the story to film though, the lead played Jamie well. Unfortunately Jamie's mum and Hugo/Loco Chanel were given to big name actors who didn't have the power in their singing voices to do justice to the amazing songs they had.
So whilst I'm happy that this wonderful story has been brought to the masses, I'm just so disappointed it's been done in such a disrespectful way to the musical. At least it wasn't quite as awful as what they did to Cats!
Cats (2019)
Terrible direction!
So, the new Cats the musical film. 🤔 Trying hard to put my thoughts into coherent words.
I went in with an open mind as I promised. Jennifer Hudson was actually good as Grizabella if not a bit too melodramatic, really enjoyed Taylor Swift's sassy rendition of Macavity as Bombalurina. Victoria the new white cat was a beautiful dancer as expected from a principal at the Royal Ballet but most of the ensemble dance numbers were disappointing, and Skimbleshanks the railway cat was a fun tap number.
But... I felt there were some bad directing decisions. The first few numbers weren't strong at all, my eldest daughter said it sounded like a mediocre school play. Kind of agree, my daughters' dance school competition troupes sound much stronger in my humble opinion.
And as much as I love Rebel Wilson, she's a great comedy actress; why change Jennyanydots/Gumby Cat to be a solo unless you have an incredibly strong vocalist to sing it? Sounded much better as a group number.
And finally, I was very excited at the casting of Jason Derullo as RumTumTugger, he has the talent and personality to really bring that naughty tomcat to life. But it came across slightly bland. 😕 He hit the high notes, but lost so much of the sass and swagger from the original.
Has to listen to the original soundtrack on the way home just to feel better. 😕