Dear Evan Hansen (2021) Is a Tragic Disaster - Movie Review
Vložit
- čas přidán 7. 07. 2024
- David reviews the movie adaptation of the hit musical 'Dear Evan Hansen'.
Back David on Patreon: / davechen
Follow David on Twitter: / davechensky
Listen to David's podcast: www.culturallyrelevantshow.com
Subscribe to David's newsletter: www.davechen.net/letters
#dearevanhansen #musical #moviereview - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Another thing worth mentioning is that they cut out the songs “Dissapear”, which shows that Evan really did think he was doing something good, and “Good for you” which is a manifestation of Evan’s conscience, showing he feels a genuine remorse.
bro i was so mad when they took out "good for you"
@@juniko_mercy right?? that’s one of the best songs in the whole show!! they probably got rid of it bc they didn’t want to deal with filming multiple sets and having more than two people sing at a time
@@sammyiassume but they kept in Requiem and You will be found
@@charlieneedshelp989 well they kinda had to keep “you will be found” in at the very least
It's so sad, ever since he fell from that tree he thinks he’s still a 17 year old.
That would make a good plot tbh
haha! 🤣🤣
LMAOOOOOO
I still don't get why people are mad that they got Ben platt to play the role. So what if he's 26? Why you all mad? He's fantastic in the role and did a great performance. Also what this guy said about all "the ticks to make him look young" that's not true at all 😂 that's part of Ben's performance, if you go watch tapes of him playing it on stage, that's exactly how he plays him, which is perfect. The only thing they did is the make up but who cares, I never got to see Ben platt in the theatre for dear Evan Hansen, so I'm very happy I got to see him in the film. Even thoufh I wasn't super happy with the film itself but still.
@@Capta1n4mer1ca Because he looks old af, he looks older than a netflix teenager. What works on stage doesn't necessarily works on movie
I saw RENT about 10 years ago with Daphne Rubin-Vega reprising her role as the original Mimi. She was over 40 and did not “look like she was 16” - but you’re right that the stage format is a lot more forgiving. I loved her performance!
Mimi is supposed to be 16??? Wtf?? 😬 I didn’t know that!
@@daffodildaydream9730 she’s suppose to look 16
I thought she was 19?? She literally sings it in light my candle
@@kendrickdinger yup! In the line directly before that, Roger says "you look like you're 16."
That was totally egregious in rent, but kind of disguised bc the whole cast was around the same age, but in this platt is around much younger/ younger looking actors
"A character would start singing and nobody else would; no one else is in the musical." So...they went with the Glee approach?
well I mean, in glee it kind of makes sense, because a lot of the time they are supposed to be singing, in the story, and I mean they are theater kids/ people who sing a lot and know a lot of music, so I don't think it is that far fetched at times to have them just start singing when the moment arises tbh?
@@toastghost2448 as a person in a group of theater kids, impromptu performances legit happens. If you know it, you join, if you don't, you simply enjoy
the fact that they left out anybody have a map and good for you makes me angry… I hate that is just Evan and Evan when the parents also have an important role in the story
right?? they were some of the most powerful songs i think, especially good for you
Kate Rockwell played Karen Smith in mean girls the musical who is 17 and she was 35 and I completely believed she was 17 and I loved her performance. On stage is so much different than in movies
I think In the Heights handled this issue of wanting a beloved main to have a role but not one that would ruin the suspension of disbelief better by casting Lin Manuel as the Piragua man.
LMM knew that he couldn’t play a convincing Usnavi so he gave that role to someone more age appropriate and took a nice cameo instead.
Honestly, I think they should’ve casted Ben Platt the same way.
Maybe cast him as a additional side character that gets a few short lines of solo singing to flex his vocal talents. But that’s it.
Keeping him as the titular star - even though he clearly doesn’t look the part - almost implies that the movie was made FOR him.
Perhaps they should have cast Ben Platt as Evan's therapist.
The role was literally written for him on stage, but I think your idea is really good :)
And I mean literally
That's because it was... his father directed the Dear Evan Hansen film and only made it if it starred Ben as Evan. Quite literally a vanity project.
Ben is desprate for an EGOT. He knew if this movie was good, it could earn him an Oscar and quickly got him an EGOT but he failed
I hear they got John Travolta to play Evan Hansen in the prequel.
😂😂
I heard eric(ricky) trump.
Oh bless you, I laughed way too hard at this comment 🤣🤣🤣
This movie would work really well if Evan actually killed Connor and the rest of the movie stayed the same.
Like on accident?
@@Supreme4L No. Murder. It would be more interesting.
That sounds like a really great thriller movie actually
@@NoFirstNoLastName So...Sweeney Todd: the Demon Student of High School
@@hanonondricek411 YES I LOVE IT
I have an idea that would’ve either saved this movie or made it the most laughably bad thing ever: Have Ben play an imaginary version of Evan.
What if they had an average teenager play the role of the real Evan, who creates an imaginary, idyllic version of himself; the kind of person Evan *thinks* people would like, much like how he creates an imaginary version of Connor. So when Evan’s writing those emails and talking to himself, it’s depicted as Ben talking to the real Evan, being played by a teenager. Have Ben follow Evan around, give him advice, tell him what he’s doing right and wrong, with the indication that Ben doesn’t exist to anyone outside of Evan.
Then, when Evan starts to lie about being Connor’s friend, Ben can be the one singing in this fabricated story, because this is Evan putting on the persona of the idyllic Evan.
And since Evan’s lying through most of the songs, Ben can still sing a lot of the numbers. Waving Through A Window could be re-written so it’s more like “persona Evan” giving “real Evan” advice and monologuing, but if the writers can give Alana her own song, they can re-write a pre-existing one. With Only Us, Words Fail, you have to have the teenager sing these songs, since he’s being honest this time. And, at the very end, Ben leaves Evan, signifying that Evan’s learning to be more honest and accepting of himself.
Or maybe this movie was doomed from the start and I’m just trying to rearrange the chairs on the Titanic.
I love the imaginary friend idea!
@LazySmolPotato 25 ben is evan's squip. it's canon now because i said so. /j
That sounds like you changed the whole plot of the play. Also why would Evan imagine himself as the same loser just at 30 years old?
i honestly like this idea alot but people would still refer to it as "an abomination" because its different from the musical and also i already like the movie how it is.
That actually makes sense
So Evan is a middle-aged Psycho that torments a grieving family. Sounds like my kind of horror😆😆
A really good take! Wish they filmed the stage production with Andrew and unfortunately the story hasn’t aged great.
I honestly suggest to anyone who really wants to get a good sense of the musical and what this movie could’ve been - to watch animatics of the songs. I think a movie that needed to hit the emotional highs and lows in DEH really would have been best in the animated format - it would help with the suspension of disbelief and give a more interesting background than another dead high school hallway.
Hi, I've been watching quite a few reviews on the movie, and I can't seem to find anyone who's seen the musical proper. I haven't seen the musical, but I've listened to the entire soundtrack many times over. One thing reviews complain about in the movie is the lack of accountability on Evan's part. And not understanding the characters around him. From what I heard, it's because they cut several songs from the film. "Does Anybody Have a Map" lets the audience know about Evan and Connor through their mothers' eyes. "Good for You" is the characters calling Evan out for his lies. And "So Big/So Small" is Evan's mother coming to terms with her failings as his mother, but we get to see how hard she has been trying. All of these are extremely necessary for the plot and character development. Anyway, I thought your other points were well made, but didn't quite land as far as explaining where the movie went wrong. Musicals are written so that most of the songs are crucial for storytelling (otherwise why have them). When you cut multiple songs from a musical, it's removing plot points from a story. And we wonder why the message is muddled in the process...
I saw the musical a few years ago and it is my absolute favorite. You are entirely correct that they ruined the story by taking out critical songs/moments.
On top of the ones you mentioned there were a lot of subtler moments that bothered me. For example, I thought it was bizarre that they decided to wait until “Only Us” to develop Evan and Zoe’s relationship. It made the song come off with such odd vibes. In the musical he kisses her after “If I Could Tell Her” where he in essence declares his love for her. They start dating shortly afterwards and he’s insecure about their relationship. Her trying to convince him that she loves him for more than just memories of her brother makes lines like: I don’t need you to sell me on reasons to want you” make a lot more sense and feel less forced.
I feel like whoever put this movie together couldn’t commit to the uncomfortable parts of the musical (like the song where everyone Evan knows tears him apart) and instead gave us a bleached, emotionless journey where the fact that this is a complicated and intricate story about Evan’s mental health and relationships gets lost.
The original show is still a terrible message. I was disgusted by it, and I’m glad this movie is exposing the real issues with it- I know they changed things but the original is still awful in its messaging. If I knew Evan Hansen I’d be warning everyone I knew to stay away from him and if I were Connor’s family I’d be suing for emotional distress. Period.
I feel the same way. I love the musical, but only because it displays the actions of the characters in a realistic way. Evan isn’t framed as a psychopath in the musical. There are things he did wrong in the musical, 100%, but it’s called out, like you said.
When I first heard the movie was being made, I said to a friend that it wasn't going to end up going over well, because SO much of the fanbase for this musical never actually saw it. If you just listen to the soundtrack, it comes across way more encouraging and uplifting overall than introspective and frankly, sad. (minor spoilers) And ultimately, the stage version of DEH is a net zero - everything that is gained is lost by the end. It didn't feel this way in the movie, for a lot of the reasons that the video brings up; namely the offense seems far more egregious and the consequences and accountability negligible. I agree wholeheartedly that the cutting of several songs lends to this, but its not just that they cut a song - they did nothing to replace the story piece those songs were telling, so that entire plot point is lost. Every decision that could have lead to this being a better movie was not taken, and I'm not surprised in any way, sadly. I love DEH, but its a beautiful, effed up story that I don't think was ever going to translate well onto film short of a taped stage performance.
Yes the show was completely problematic. But the movie took out a lot of the things that would make you sympathize with Evan. Including the character of Connors dad. It was Evan's most human reason for wanting to lie.
Totally
Yeah isn't he the stepdad now or something
@@Allmenroder0854 I didn’t understand that change at all. Were they trying to give Zoe and Evan more reasons to bond? Cuz honestly their relationship was so much weaker in the movie.
Movies for decades have cast adults as high schoolers and even had them in close ups. However, most get away with this by having the entire high school cast look the same age. For example, the original Sam Raimi Spider-Man movie starts in high school, and every actor looks like an adult. However, it's more easy to go along with it because they look the same age as each other, and no one is doing anything as manipulative as Evan Hansen.
Tbh, I don't think Evan Hansen is a redeemable character even in the musical. I know he has social anxiety but he's supposed to be a 17 year old high school senior. By then, he's practically an adult which makes it impossible for me to sympathize with him
Though I’m much older than 17 and have always been an honest person, I suffered through high school and can relate with Evan Hansen. He was simply hiding the truth so as not to hurt others. That’s part of having anxiety. He didn’t tell the truth about his broken arm, because that would have hurt his mother. He didn’t purposely lie to Connor’s family but saw the hope in their eyes and felt his back against the wall. Things snowballed from there. But, when he saw that people had turned against the Murphy’s, he put himself on the line to make it right. I think the show’s script writer understands what it’s like living with anxiety. I suffered with it for over 35 years. (Maybe still do, but have learned triggers to stay away from? 🤷🏻♀️)
@@barbaralkennedy1870 Murphys* Apostrophes aren't used to make plurals.
@@englishatheart you’re right. Have you never had autocorrect on your iPhone change what you typed? I generally catch it but sometimes I’m going quickly between posts.
But, here’s one for you, did you know it’s rude to correct strangers?
No characters could be short because it would showcase how old Ben is, take another look at the background characters, they couldn’t allow for anyone to come off as younger than Ben and it’s sorta hilarious
@C · yeah, that’s kind of sad if she doesn’t have anything better to do with her time. Maybe she should volunteer somewhere? Maybe a food pantry?
Bottomline, she should do something good instead of annoying strangers over type-o’s. With all the serious issues going on in the world…🤦🏻♀️
Thanks. Have a great day!
The plot sounds strikingly similar to World’s Greatest Dad (2009)
They cut Good For You and expected it to be good😤
That was the first mistake they made✋😩
THANK YOU! You pretty much summed up everything I felt. Something about your Number 3 - This is why I the original stage show is SO MUCH BETTER. The musical never sells itself to be this "family, feel good story". The music is gritty as hell, and messy. You're constantly being reminded that what Evan is doing is so wrong. You are constantly getting moments of Evan hating on himself and talking with Connor's ghost. You are constantly getting moments with Evan's mother. Like the musical does SO MANY good things to make Evan's character study complete - and it's an insult to the piece that the movie just threw all of that out and make it a "feel good movie of the year". What a joke.
Somehow I only found out *today* that this musical had been turned into a movie, so I was rather disappointed to find out that it was also being panned. For what it's worth, I don't think that Dear Evan Hansen was ever a "celebration of life and coming together". It's a tragicomic satire of 2010s culture where everybody swarms social media to talk about the latest tragedy with promises of "likes and prayers", and then does absolutely nothing to help the victims or prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. Evan isn't meant to be a positive example of mental health issues; he's supposed to be problematic. He's only really sympathetic by comparison to the anonymous social media presences who would tear him apart as quickly as they've given him a platform.
I had heard in another video that it was inspired by an incident where an non-popular student in the writer's school died and many people clamored to say that they had been the student's friend for attention. And it made no mention of wanting to do good for mental health (which isn't the same as not wanting good for mental health of course)
Well at least this terrible movie produced an interesting review on your part, which is much more entertaining than the film.
David Chen is amazing! I really loved this review! Haven't seen the film, and I don't plan to see it.
As somebody who never saw the stage musical, I really liked this movie and was able to suspend my disbelief enough to imagine the main character as a high school student. In fact, I thought it was a great performance, especially the scene of him shaking in front of the school. He just looked like a creepy goblin.
Without Anybody Have A Map and Good For You the movie is practically garbage
Then you should watch the original stage version, you'll really like it
@@boredstranger7522 the mom songs are the best
I think the best criticism of BP is that he was stuck in his stage form of acting with this role and stuck out from the rest of the cast that was film acting.
What will it cost to get footage of you performing in musicals? The fans deserve to know.
Special Patreon goal!
Really hate they cut like all the songs that didn’t involve Ben Platt, Alena’s new song makes up for none of it
I didn’t really like Alana’s song either. It’s fine but I missed “ Has Anybody Got a Map?” Thats a great song
@@adrianaavila8853 yes! That is one of my favorites. I was excited to hear the movie version and disappointed not to find it.
This film sounds like a non satire version of World's Greatest Dad.
literally all i’ve been able to think about is this, i feel like i’m going insane knowing this exists lmao
This is Worlds Greatst Dead with all the dark humor, satire, and edge completley jettisoned in favor of cloying sentimentality.
So Ben Pratt’s dad is the producer of the film and release on Ben’s birthday. Maximum nepotism or next level sabotage? Like the stage play musical, will not see the film.
Do you think that Ben Platt would still have gotten the lead if his father WASN'T the producer ?????
Yes. He needed to be the one to properly immortalize it. He is the one
@@kaidaniel8117 the movie most likely wouldn't have been made without him in the role, but, if the movie was already funded and just needed the lead I highly doubt BP would have been cast.
@@RachelAnnPotter me either bestie. He's not a teenager anymore. Very simple. But his voice IS dear Evan Hansen. Had it been anyone else it wouldn't have been worth it
@@kaidaniel8117 I respectfully disagree. If it was a stage recording then I think it would have made more sense to have him, but a movie is a much different format and it needed something else to better pull in new people. This movie, unfortunately, will overshadow the legacy of BP's stage performance.
@@RachelAnnPotter if it had been done better though it wouldn't even be a problem. You know. But i understand
The fact that so many comments mention World’s Greatest Dad makes me happy more people know about that movie. Around 10 years ago, when it came out, hardly anyone heard or seen it.
At age 26 I looked the same as I did at 18…a few of my friends too. But many of them weren’t so fortunate.
The technology is definitely out there now that can make an older actor appear younger. Not sure how expensive that would be to do for the length of an entire film rather than a scene or two, but the easiest solution would have just been to cast age appropriately. The trope of Hollywood high schoolers looking like college students has been around forever, and studios for the most part have stopped the practice.
If the makeup, lighting, and hair was better, there would be no need for anything else. Movies have done that successfully for decades.
I just saw it. I enjoyed the songs and the actors. I'm guessing that with the editing and the camera work, the movie has a different feel than the stage version. Slower and less slickly done editing would have helped. The plot moves toward its inevitable conclusion like a TV movie of the week. For sure it's a different picture of growing up than the aimless kids on "Dobie Gillis" trying to figure out the meaning of life.
Everyone should read the book, it will make much more sense, and the musical is 1 million times better than the movie
The book is SOO gooood
@@confused8365 I literally bawled when I read the book
@@codyniskanen8809 wahaha me too!!!
I saw the movie last weekend, and I have to agree with you. For the record, I haven’t been lucky enough to have seen this onstage. I had health problems and the pandemic struck before I could, but I saw the combination bootleg and anime that someone assembled of the whole show on CZcams. Without the scenes behind “Good for You” and “Does Anybody Have a Map?,” the context and brutal consequences of Evan’s lies are missing, so that it does almost seem like a glorification of manipulation rather than the story of the descent into hell and redemption that it should be. The passive aggressive way it’s handled in the movie doesn’t cut it, poor choices all around except for the cast. They would have been better off filming the stage show.
I thought it was average. You make valid points. Many of the stuff you mentioned, i also wish was addressed as well in the film. His "family best friend" is almost 30 years old and nobody is saying anything about it. Maybe a director's cut could benefit this film.
Wow David, that was a brutal review... Think I have not heard you this critical before!
Ive seen DEH on broadway twice and enjoyed it. But this film has soured my positive reaction to the stage version.
Honestly I think the way movie adaptions of musicals handle the actual numbers can be a make or break. The examples you used are really good ones, where in Chicago it's like a fantasy moment.
I'm not planning on watching this one, but what I've gathered, it deals with some similar subject matters as Bobcat Goldthwait's World's Greatest Dad does. I highly recommend that people watch that and to go in as blind as possible.
David's description of the movie made me think of that as well! WGD is incredible.
Is it streaming anywhere? Where can I watch it?
also world’s greatest dad is like, the darkest, bleakest, blackest black comedy i’ve ever seen and is well aware of how absolutely fucked up its premise is
dear evan hansen is like… book of henry meets world’s greatest dad lmao
My biggest complaint with this movie is that they cut out Good For You. The song actively calls out Evan's horrible actions to remind the audience that it doesn't matter that Evan has anxiety. He still did a lot of shitty things! So removing this song from the movie makes it look like Evan gets off scot-free which is total bs!
Leaving aside moral responsibility, it is hard to exaggerate what Evan did to this poor family. If you think about it, they endured the death of their son _twice_ when Evan’s friendship is revealed to be a deliberate sham.
David,
Hard disagree with almost every assessment you made about the movie. But I think you closed really strong with your last two points.
First, yes please to a Disney+ Hamilton style filled version of the Broadway production. Although I would admit they have a real issue capturing the lighting of the Broadway production as the set is primarily darkness and social media images projected onto screens, and there’s one moment in the movie adaptation that tries to replicate it and falls flat.)
Your second point of this working better as a straight non musical movie, I have to wholeheartedly agree as well, and here’s why. If it’s not clear by what I’ve said so far I’m a huge fan of the musical (I don’t self identify as a Fansen, but I suppose I sometimes reach the same intensity). The novelization of the musical is almost completely devoid of music (with the audiobook version managing to incorporate fragments of the song Requiem). After seeing the musical multiple times on Broadway and on tour, listening to the audiobook version of the novelization was a completely different experience. Great in some ways, harsh and bizarre in others. I wanted so badly to some how have the characters break out into song on the page/audible chapter, but that simply wasn’t going to happen given the medium.This works best as a Broadway musical, strangely well as novelization as a companion piece to the musical… but the movie adaptation… outlook not so good.
I think the movie adaptation is a must see for fans of the musical. And that right away it carves out a niche for this movie. I completely value your perspective, and lots of times during the movie I wish I could’ve had amnesia t be able to see this for what it is objectively. And that had always been your strong suit, and I appreciate you for that.
It is hard to see this becoming a mainstream success. But maybe it will be a franchise of media that is at least an easier sell than “fly to New York and pay $200+ for tickets to see it on stage” while as I could recommend someone rent this, stream it, see if it connects and if it does great. But if it doesn’t, no biggie. Some people will love it and be moved by it, seems many more won’t. And that’s okay.
Thanks for all you do, I really appreciate your honest discussion about things you did not find compelling. It is what keeps me coming back to your channel.
Sincerely,
Me
Thanks for sharing!
I am here to respect your sign off.
People should really just watch "World's Greatest Dad" instead, maybe the best late-period Robin Williams movie.
@Emerald Tree Jose ah that's a crowded field. But you might be right nonetheless.
Having worked on the Toronto's broadway's show and had deep conversations about the film La La Land/DEH with the writers/producers, they stuck true to their vision with both.
You seem very smart without credentials (which are half of the Critics on here) so start remaking it that way as a deep study. Would be cool if you did that with a lot of failed musicals turned to screen. And the tweeks you would make - Who is your manager/creative directors?
Sincerely, Me.
i dont think i can watch this movie to confirm the sentiments so thank you for making this.
You’re welcome
How would you compare it to Cats?
Both those ways to fix it are good ideas. Hopefully the writers learned their lesson and maybe will remake a straight up version for a phycological film with a great cast and no music. And hopefully a better ending. I actually even before I came to a conclusion I hated hit asked why is it a musical. Because you're right. I could have worked as a helpful film but the songs send the wrong message
If they have Good For You footage, maybe they could salvage the movie by adding it for DVD release....
There seemed to be all Balads in "everybody's talking about Jamie" and this is secondary school it could have been like DEH . EBTAJ was actually not bad. I liked it.
What’d you play in pit?
I think they probably would have been better off casting someone younger or someone who has more of a useful presence I believe there's an actor named Jordan Fisher I think that he was doing the revival of dear Evan Hansen. I think he probably would have been more of a better fit just get more of the youthful appearance of it since he does have much of a more of a baby face then Ben does
I think a film that does a story a lot like Evan Hanson without the singing is “world’s greatest dad” with Robin Williams
I just saw it and the one thing that I think that they should not have done is exactly what they did do
This movie works as a drama with no music because this story has been repeated on so many different TV series it's ridiculous but doing it as a movie I think it would have worked a lot better
I think the acting was subpar by everyone involved I expect people with big resumes like Amy Adams to be in a movie that's a lot better
I love your commentary! I hope more people find this channel :)
Smart commentary. I'll subscribe.
That's the best review of this movie I've seen. It treats all of the problems in the movie with respect while still telling the truth technically. When I watched this movie I just felt so weird, and I was trying to undertand everything that went wrong. It just didn't make sense that a musical I loved so much, with beautifull songs could originate such a bad movie. But this video made me reflect about it and undertand what I was feeling.
I just feel sorry for everyone involved in this project, I know that filmakers and artists try to do their best and this movie is the exemple that sometimes it just doesn't happen. When it was anounced that Ben Platt was going to play Evan for the movie, with the inicial reaction of the fans they should have changed the actor. It was the most cleaver thing to do and it wasn't to late. People are being so mean about it, but I just think it's sad. The story had potential to be good, like we've seen on stage. I hope everyone learns from it and no other musical adaptation to screen makes theese mistakes.
I assumed to say I cried during it the second time. Don't worry. I still thought it sucked. In fact I only saw it again because I wanted to see a movie and nothing was playing. It hit way to close to home. It could have been a good film but no they give no one a happy ending.
what film adaptions of stage musicals have ever even worked? I can only think of 2, Grease and rocky horror picture show
In the Heights was great, as was Chicago and Hairspray
How about *Oliver!* and *The Sound of Music* ?
Personally, I loved the movie and plan on seeing it again. I actually wasn’t bothered at all that they cast Ben Platt. The actors who portrayed Conner’s parents and Evan’s mom were much older than Platt that he didn’t seem that old to me. I read the reviews that were similar to yours before I went to see the movie but I always feel that most movie reviewers try to focus on the negative of a film instead of the positive. Yes they could have cast a younger actor to portray Evan Hansen but I don’t know if that person would have performed the musical numbers as well as Ben Platt. I’ve been listening to the soundtrack of this musical for a number of years and For me it would have been a let down if it wasn’t Ben Platt singing in the movie version. Reviewers also discount entertainment value. Many movie goers don’t care about depth of plot anymore. Movies are made to be entertaining. It doesn’t always need to be thought provoking. I do wish that the movie version would have stuck to the original soundtrack and not add or delete music.
Musicals don’t do well in the theater. I think the new generation of movie goers are not really into it. In The Heights was awesome but it lasted only a few weeks In the theater. I fear that even the Spielberg remake of West Side Story won’t do very well. I think there isn’t a large enough population in our country that are cultured enough to appreciate musicals on the big screen.
I just got home from watching this movie and would agree with you. I really enjoyed it. Everyone in the theatre was crying (except my husband) and it got applause when it was through.
Reviewers get paid for their negativity and witty sarcasm. Much better to get reviews from those of us who paid and were not paid to see it. There is more honesty from us ‘average’ people.
I just looked up Ben Platt’s age and I swear people are making it out to be that he’s 35 or something playing a high schooler. He’s only 28 -_- I loved the show but he was not my Evan so I was super excited to see him as Evan in the film. Yea I agree with you about musicals. Not everybody’s cup of tea anymore. Kenny Ortega is really great at directing movie musicals but that’s in partnership with Disney and now Netflix so streaming services are the way to go for youth nowadays and not so much theatres.
Watched it 3 times now.
Fuck the critics! This is so good!
Ready your tissues y'all!
I just saw it today and I really liked it!
I think I’d like the film if I wasn’t asked to sympathize with a predatory psychopath. I think the reviews were actually forgiving with this.
These comments are wonderful comic relief 😂. A decent amount of them show clear lack of understanding of the musical
Exactly right?! I’m like where did you fall of the bandwagon, cause they don’t know what they’re talking about. Completely missed the point and message of the film and show.
Watched it 3 times now.
Fuck the critics! This is so good!
Ready your tissues y'all!
The musical is still tricky to understand thematically too though. Just because Evan sings a song about how sorry everyone should be for him doesn’t excuse his behavior. The music and story grossly glosses over the nature of what Evan did by creating powerful and moving ballads to excuse away his behavior. Par for the course for Pasek and Paul though who took one of the most notorious exploiters of marginalized people (PT Barnum) and turned it into a sing-song story about “acceptance of others” all while neglecting the dirty work that goes into examining the problematic nature of Barnum and what he did.
DEH is the exact same way. The critics on this are right to point out these issues. Critics criticize and critique. That’s what they do. Objectively, DEH is incredibly problematic and they’re rightfully pointing that out.
DEH is pretty shallow, it's not a lack of understanding, it's that older audiences have a different frame of reference from the teen fans who adore it.
As someone who read the book but didn't see the musical, from what I've heard then musical softens the horror of Evan Hansen's behavior. The reviewers I've watched so far who saw the musical and the movie, they softened Evan Hansen's behavior even more. That is alarming. The book, at least, had a constant stream of anxious thought to show the reader that Evan Hansen wasn't the good guy in this story. Having a mental illness does not make his actions acceptable just because he's sick. Awful behavior is awful behavior and this movie tried too hard to make us root for the person behaving badly.
I had a vague understanding of this musical off of the songs, i remember it being this smash hit and I almost went to see it in New York. My ex-girlfriend at the time was in love with the musical, when it came to Vancouver and we were still friendly with each other, I helped her make sure she had tickets the moment they went live and I was on the fence about it but she eventually sold me on seeing it. We went on the same day but at different times, and in the time between getting tickets and the show we had gone our separate ways, so I'll never know what she thought of it, besides her enjoying a bootleg recording of it with Ben Platt in the role and loving that. I couldn't believe how much I disliked it. I thought the songs were fun and catchy. Sincerely Me is genuinely a fun dance-y kind of song but exactly what you said bothered me. His lies about the death of someone and using it to build something, reluctantly, was just hard to justify and I just couldn't get on board with it at all. I get he is shy and just can't come out with it and Conner isn't a very nice person so you are supposed to think, a great thing came out of the death of someone that wasn't even that well liked so it's actually a good thing Evan lied a lot, but it still really bothered me.
Hes not shy lol. He has social anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies. He wants to tell people and his mind is extremely willing. His body quite literally wont let him. Its a medical condition mediated by pills that he cant control. The fact that warrant his lack of truth to just being "shy" shows a lot.
Mmmm when you write “you’re supposed to think a great thing came out of the death of someone disliked” I think you miss the point a little. That’s not the message the film is sending. Conner accomplished what Evan wanted to do, so in his mind he was witnessing so many people who didn’t know Conner and he had no friends. They’re completely the opposite of each other - Evan is a wallflower and invisible while Connor is getting a lot of attention and wrap by the school public due to his anger issues. Evan gains courage by the end of the film to just be, and he felt very alone. Realizing that he’s not he takes it upon himself to actually learn more about Connor although too late. I do agree with you about how wrong it was for Evan having lied and manipulated but there’s a bigger lesson and message here
@@adrianaavila8853 but those bigger lessons are wholly glossed over through cute sing song ballads. There’s NOTHING redeeming about Evan as a character - and just because he has a big sob fest song at the end, all is forgiven and forgotten. It makes no sense. I’m all for forgiveness and responding with empathy … but Evan’s whole approach was predicated on a lie - a disgusting one at that - but he sings a good song so all is forgiven ?? 🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
@@adrianaavila8853 So they demonize the guy who committed suicide too? LMBAO! And this is so popular?! Thankfully, my life was completely void of DEH until this week, and will go back to being so immediately.
Sincerely me has been taken to the hospital with back injuries after carrying the entire movie
What would work better is If we had character development for connor like connor could've sing a song about his emotions what leads to his suicide like why should we care about connor he doesn't show anything for us to care about
About 2 years after this movie released, as someone who watched this movie much after I watched the original Broadway version with Ben Platt, here is my opinion unbiased by any hate on the internet.
This movie was not needed. Was it well produced? Yes. Was it emotional? Absolutely. Is it well written? YES.
Why is it unnecessary? It is simply trying to live in the same identity as the Broadway performance. Instead of being its own adaptation of the original show, it is trying too hard to be a substitute for Ben Platt's performance. Now, I personally liked Ben Platt's performance on Broadway, others did it better, but his was the best for the singing in my opinion. But Ben saying the movie wouldn't be made without him is just bs. And not to mention his performance in the movie was overdone, although I would not be surprised if that was just because his dad was the producer and made the whole film into emmy bait.
What a good takedown, I love it. Cutting Good For You is just unforgiveable in my eyes, regardless of the "realistic tone" or whatever they were going for.
Wow I thought it was actually good. This coming from a person that hates musicals. Could be because I can relate with the topic of the movie 🤨
You’re a sociopath?
Having seen this, Rent, and perks of being a wallflower- removing the music in this- would ruin it completely. However- the songs and story would be much better- without the character of Evan Hansen. Or maybe make one change- have the song he sings as a lie- as a way to admit it’s not connor’s letter, but admit he’s also struggling with mental health. It’s a terrible story because it’s premise is REALLY FLAWED in a BIG WAY.
It does blow me away how much critics dislike this movie while the audience really enjoys it. I think that the less you think about the movie and just watch it, the more you love it. I'm glad I was able to just watch the movie and enjoy it without over thinking it!
I've often said there are things that I'll forgive from the musical genre and no other.
This movie
Tested that belief to destruction
Colton Ryan should’ve played Evan. It would be worlds different
YES! And David Jeffrey should've played Connor.
@@notactuallywill3620 I’m gonna add Patrick Wilson as Larry Murphy. Also add back disappear, good for you and anybody have a map so the audience understands the family dynamic and give Connor a chance at personality. However no one asked the fans. Here’s to west side story being much better!
I'm the guy who loved the movie so much, that even hearing people hate on it, brings me joy. Love love love it.
don’t feel bad for ben platt. his ego has changed him for the worse.
The issue of Ben Platt's age is both true but also a standard in movie making. Travolta in Grease was even more ridiculous. "Child" actors- anyone under 18- create legal issues for filmmakers who must adhere to strict regulations on working hours, on-set schooling and other issues and this discourages the use of properly-aged performers. I would agree that eliminating the music would have been best- this story is a powerful tragedy, perhaps the strongest of that genre in a very long time. Had Evan killed himself in the end, a true Romeo and Juliette Shakespearean tale would have been a contemporary masterpiece. Finally, the fact that Evan creates a world based on lies that affects so many people is actually a strength of the film- we're living in a Big Lie world right now where fabricated events influence well-meaning people who exacerbate falsehoods. This also examines the effects of social media, extrapolating the reach of falsehoods since there is no accountability to posting.
In all the critical comments I've read about *Dear Evan Hansen,* you're the first person who has suggested openly that Evan could have or should have killed himself at the end of the story. Certainly, that would have been a very logical way for it to end, since the story begins with Evan's (offstage) suicide attempt. I wonder if that would have satisfied those who feel that Evan doesn't suffer enough consequences (always without suggesting what consequences they feel would have been appropriate for him).
13:07 totally agree!
Ben Platt’s father Mark Platt is a very powerful man so of course they tell him he can do it but his voice is incredible but yes he’s odd looking. They should’ve done the movie five years sooner.
I was convinced he was a high schooler
Nobody else thinks this. Ben Platt is damn near 30. He has no business playing a 17 year old
@@paulwillard81 Actors play different ages all the time. Look at all the great movies around and all play different ages. All that mattered is Ben knows the role well and he convinced me
@@cheri7054 he knows the role because he originated it and played it for years. Of course he knows it. Doesn’t mean that he passes as a high school student. Had it not been for his father producing it, I bet he wouldn’t have been the top choice for the role. Suspension of disbelief is fine for The Avengers - not for an almost 30 year old trying to pass as someone half that age.
@@paulwillard81 I'm glad his Father produced it cuz there is no other Evan without Ben. He was believable to me I don't care what critics say about his age. It worked
@@cheri7054 you’re right. At this juncture, Platt’s age is the least of the problems with this movie. 😂😂 because it is not very good
I saw DEH on Broadway several years ago. I didn't like it, although you have to admit Ben Platt can definitely sing. Somehow, the movie was even worse. Back to Hamilton for me!
Good breakdown ,Im going to see this movie now .
Hm, what do you think?
@@suanesantos3666 Watched it 3 times now.
Fuck the critics! This is so good!
Ready your tissues y'all!
i’d love to see him review the prom movie if he hasn’t already lol
This is exactly that movie with Robin Williams Father of the Year
World’s greatest dad
the difference there being we know, and the movie knows, the dad is a horrible person for doing what he did, Evan is treated as the hero of the whole thing by the movie instead.
Between this movie and Cats one has to wonder if Hollywood will stop making musicals...
Personally I didn’t think the musical was good as the hype made it out to be after really thinking about it. The fact that this movie is said to be so horrible makes me want to watch this disaster.
I feel like this movie was lazy. It just wasn't interesting. It feels like they didn't study the original material or read the book. Cinematically, it feels like the artists involved didn't take a minute of their time to acctually think of how they could tell this story in a meaningfull way. I've seen so many beatifull animatics made by fans illustrating the songs and scenes that are so beautifully made. It makes me think that maybe if they have made an animated movie it would have worked better. This way they could even keep Ben as Evan, since we would only listen to his voice.
It's so bad that it's dated while being brand new.
@6:18 THIS!! Haha I literally said this to my friend!!
Sam Tutty would have been a better choice, IMO.
He even has red hair like Julianne Moore.
Come from away???? My God that was awful. Haven’t seen this yet so I’m withholding judgment. I think Broadway is becoming as creatively bankrupt as hollywood, so even making the decision to adapt one of these shows is not a great idea.
the whole fking problem in this movie:
evan in the movie: do u see me? i dont want u to.
evan in the musical: do u see me? no one ever sees me.
u can see this in the whole waving through a window scene -- i just dont like it.
All I can think when looking at this guy is "Steve Guttenberg"
Watched it a couple days ago, I kinda liked it
I just hated the ending but i think the film was great, it made me laugh and i almost cried at some point, i empathised with the characters, and now im just inlove with the soundtrack.
Sorry but I loved the movie. I never saw the play but still I loved th emovie. Some things were confusing but I loved it anyway.
I can't be the only one who thinks he looks way too much like Adrien Monk, right?
It doesn't help that his dad was the director
I just saw it yikes that movie was worthy of bad movie Sunday
Dear Evan Hansen is my favorite movie.. But wonderful review, thanks :) !
the scenes not the musical
You're 100% correct in this review and I'm sorry for all the clowns in your comments.
But the songs are good.
They should have used Jordan Fisher thats all I am saying
I loved it. Great show.