Barnum always wants more, accompanying singing sensation, Jenny Lind (a brilliant Rebecca Ferguson) on tour, as Charity favours family over fame. Will Barnum come to his senses before it's too late?
The songs are well written and extremely catchy with, "This is Me," by Settle & the Ensemble, clearly the standout track. It's a brilliant anthem, encouraging us to fight back against those who belittle us. Keala Settle is superb as the bearded lady, Lettie Lutz. She deserves all of her plaudits.
There's a sweet romance between Zendaya's adorable acrobat and trapeze artist, Anne Wheeler, and handsome Zac Efron's, Phillip Carlyle, a playwright who becomes Barnum's partner. The film successfully explores the bigotry and racism interracial couples faced at the time.
Paul Sparks plays opinionated theatre critic James Gordon Bennett, who opposes the Barnum Circus (despite accidentally giving it its name.) He's excellent, as is the entire cast. The Greatest Showman is pure joy from start to finish and comes highly recommended. This might just be the greatest show!
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OTHER CAST: Paul Sparks. DIRECTED BY: Michael Gracey. SCREENPLAY BY: Jenny Bicks, Bill Condon. RUNNING TIME: 105 minutes. CERTIFICATE: PG. USA.
