There are two main problems Dear Evan Hansen, the film adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, cannot solve. First, Ben Platt’s decision to reprise Tony’s winning performance as Evan Hansen was the only original actor in the film.
(It seems appropriate to mention that Platt’s father was the producer of the film; as Platt said in defence of the casting earlier this year. “If I didn’t make the film, it probably wouldn’t have been made.”
It would be one thing for filmmakers to urge audiences to stop believing that 27-year-old Platt is a crazy prom.
Not too distracting, but okay because almost every teen movie needs it. But the team that is behind the Dear Evan Hansen put Platt in a prosthesis and paste-like opaque makeup.
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Along with curly hair that tightened the actor in an unusual valley. But trying to make Platt look younger somehow makes him older and dehumanizing. An act of sabotage, so his distraction generally renders the film irreparable.
It’s a shame because if a film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen had to be made. This version, directed by Stephen Czboski (“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”). And written by musical screenwriter Stephen Levenson, would probably have a starring role. Rule out one of the better versions.
With raunchy Chbosky directing, a great show soundtrack (if cut into the film), and plenty of A-list talent. Julianne Moore, Amy Adams, Caitlin Dever, Amanda Stenberg — the Dear Evan Hansen film, in general, is a conscientious show, which thorough Adaptation On Broadway. This leads to a second, insurmountable obstacle. A film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen only sheds more light on the story’s already faltering suicide work and mental health.
To return, Evan Hansen is a socially awkward, crippling:
The insecure 17-year-old who started his first-day last year with a written conversation with himself, this therapist’s job. The note is intercepted by exile classmate Conor Murphy (Colton Ryan).
Who interprets the mention of the letter about his sister Zoe (Dever), Evan’s extermination, as a ploy to mock him. This is the only real-life interaction between Evan and Connor; Connor commits suicide and is found with a letter. Which his parents interpret as a farewell letter to Evan.
Stammering, desperate to please, and feeling valued, Evan translates the theory into a packed friendship fantasy. One that leads him to fall in love with Connor’s shocked mother. Cynthia (Adams) and second father, Larry (Danny Pino), with Zoe.
Lead and keep him away from his overworked single mother, Heidi (Moore). He also confirms when Connor’s memories’ false magic goes viral. And his brutal classmate Alana (Stenberg) runs a mental health warning campaign around one of Evans’ fake anecdotes.
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The distance to the stage and the enveloping. Deeply touching soundtrack by Benge Pasek and Justin Paul allow the musical to perform both sad and deeply sombre elements. The blame for Connor’s death, Evan’s rebirth in Connor via fake email.
The protagonist exploits stranger selfies for popularity – disappeared against the backdrop of a great show. One can stop the moral judgment of Evan. A sympathetic outsider when his motivations, awkwardness, and mistakes routinely turn into learning songs.
It’s a lot harder when you take a closer look at the hyper-definition on the grieving mother’s face. Played with a thin sheet of paper by Adams’ fragility. While Evan lies about his friendship with his dead son.
However, suppose you put aside the inconvenience of Evans deception and Platt’s ugly performance.
In that case, Dear Evan Hansen is a pretty good musical, especially if you like a soundtrack that stays magnetic. Czboski’s directing it justifies some of the potentially complex aspects of adapting the music to the film.
Characters taking a break from school or long looking for solos. Such as Dever singing about his lack of feelings about Connor’s death while struggling Red Light.
The roar of the camera and the lines about “Sincerely Me” really make for laughs, as do a few lines from Nick Dodani as Jared, Evan’s only friend (and this “family”).
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A convincing set in a suburban high school from mid-2010, Murphy’s kitchen, McMansion is probably pretty ubiquitous. As good as Booksmart and heartbreaking as an infidel, Dever survives s*xual assault in Incredible, full of vulnerability and frustration as Zoe, the film’s most down-to-earth protagonist.