Today we want to talk about a multifaceted and insanely interesting genre of cinema - the musical. The the art form existed before the first films were made, but does not cease to fall in love with the public even now, when the technical capabilities of the studios are unprecedented, and the budgets of the films are inflated to the limit.
Initially, the musical did not stand out as a separate genre - such productions were called operettas and were very different from the modern presentation of the public. Gradually, the direction developed, acquired new characteristic features - the music changed, more liberties and deviations from the regulations were allowed. Approximately, at the end of the XNUMXth century, critics were forced to admit that the musical stood out as an independent genre.
The rapid development of the direction dates back to the beginning of the XNUMXth century - it gained particular popularity in the United States. The musical became a mixture of various genres and included not only acting, but also complex choreographic numbers and even well-known musical compositions. The staging is primarily characterized by spectacle and dynamism, and dramaturgy sometimes fades into the background (and yet you can’t do without it).
With the development of cinema, there was a great temptation to transfer musicals to the big screens, which the directors took up with undisguised enthusiasm. Films of this format periodically appear on the horizon today, occupying their own niche in the industry. We will tell you about 10 best musicals in cinema that were highly appreciated by the audience. Here you will find mainly foreign films, but domestic paintings are also available.
West Side Story
Director: Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins
Genre: Romance
Year of issue: 1961
If you don't take musicals seriously yet, we hasten to inform you that "West Side Story" collected a collection of 10 Oscar statuettes and is still in the symbolic three of the best productions of the genre according to American Film Institute. The picture became truly iconic and forever changed cinema in the eyes of the public. The film did not appear out of nowhere, it is adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name (where artists play live on stage).
Love story at the center Tony и Mary's in the scenery New York "fifties". Young people could stay together and create a strong family, but the showdown between "native Americans" and immigrants prevent a beautiful story from ending with a happy ending. By the will of circumstances, Tony becomes the central figure of a deadly confrontation, and the guy has practically no chance of getting away with it.
Surprisingly, the shooting of the picture took place really in the area West Side. The local slums were the perfect backdrop for the film and were demolished shortly after production was completed.
[webnavoz_rating id=54438]Briolin
Directed by: Randal Kleiser
Genre: Romance
Year of issue: 1978
Probably, in the history of each country there were relatively carefree times, although looking at the street, it can be hard to believe. For USA - this is the middle of the XNUMXth century, when major military conflicts were left behind, future challenges did not yet loom on the horizon, and the country was a model of unbridled freedom. Grease about this - young people enjoy every moment of their lives, practically do not think about the future and live in one endless dance.
Danny и Sandy spin a dashing romance without a hint of continuation - the girl will soon have to fly to Australia. However, circumstances have developed in such a way that now young people study at the same school. Danny is the leader of a local gang, and Sandy is a soft-spoken who will only have to gain authority and get used to the new environment. And although the guy is skeptical about his ex-girlfriend, love will be stronger than prejudice.
An impressionable viewer will especially remember the dance numbers of a very young John Travolta. For this alone, it is worth getting acquainted with the picture, the meaning of which is strictly forbidden to think about - just watch and enjoy.
[webnavoz_rating id=54439]Mary Poppins, goodbye
Director: Leonid Kvinikhidze
Genre: fantasy
Year of issue: 1983
And now let's turn to the ambiguous picture, which for many has become an exciting adventure and the main memory of childhood. Movie "Mary Poppins Goodbye" has high ratings, but very mixed reviews from the audience and this is no accident. The picture creates a truly magical and attractive atmosphere that can easily bewitch a child, but not everyone liked the character of the “perfect” nanny.
Who is she Mary Poppins? An incredibly charming fairy who appears at the right time and solves problems. Mary is fluent in magic - she understands the language of animals, and easily changes the state of almost any matter. She is insanely strict, but no less sweet, is distinguished by sincerity and delights children, which is especially important in her profession as a nanny.
Perhaps today the ability to respond with caustic phrases is valued much more than other skills, but looking around the picture with the eyes of an adult, you inevitably catch yourself thinking that Mary is going too far. However, you can form an objective opinion about the quality of the film adaptation by re-reading the story of the same name. Pamela Travis.
[webnavoz_rating id=54440]Moulin rouge
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Genre: Romance
Year of issue: 2001
Starting a conversation about the film, it is impossible to deprive the attention of the actors Nicole Kidman и Ewan McGregorwho played the main roles. Their brilliant game is recognized even by those who ruthlessly smash the picture, and there are not so many such people. "Moulin rouge" - a classic love story with a rather predictable ending, but it wraps, hypnotizes the viewer with a bright wrapper.
Christian - a poor writer who could not even imagine that he would become a participant in an unusual love story. His chosen one is a cabaret star "Moulin rouge", dancer and kept woman. Union between Christian and Satin almost impossible, but the hot hearts of young people were kindled with tender feelings, next to which all the fuss of this world simply fades. Not without a villain - the local duke dreams of Satin and is ready to sacrifice a lot to take possession of the girl.
The story itself is simple and naive, and the characters are one-sided, which even the filmmakers do not deny. However, against the backdrop of bright scenery, the plot is organically perceived by the viewer and achieves the main goal - to entertain. Painting received 2 Oscars and contributed to the revival of the genre after a long period of oblivion. By the way, the Moulin Rouge is real Parisian establishmentwhich still works.
[webnavoz_rating id=54444]Chicago
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Genre: comedy
Year of issue: 2002
If "Moulin rouge" became only the first sign, to soon appear "Chicago" The audience approached in full combat readiness. The picture was favored by critics and liked the audience. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rene Zellweger, Richard Gere и John C Reilly were one of the main factors behind this success. Not every musical can boast of such a stellar cast.
Roxy dreams of a big stage, but the lack of talent and connections does not allow her to count on success. The girl tries to build a career through the bed, but kills her lover who deceived her. In prison, she will meet her idol and meet a lawyer who easily denies all accusations and discredits witnesses. The picture will tell us about the trial, which turned into a laughingstock thanks to the corruption and cunning of the actors.
The main advantage of the picture - the atmosphere of the "twenties" of the last century. What was Chicago? Alcohol, debauchery, poverty and, of course, bright, grandiose productions that give a start in life to stars of great and small magnitude. Every self-respecting girl (and not only) dreamed of joining the world of show business, which we see in the film. No wonder the picture got right away 6 Oscars.
[webnavoz_rating id=54445]Dandy
Director: Valery Todorovsky
Genre: Romance
Year of issue: 2008
Pretty bold project. Todorovsky, in general, the viewer liked it, but, as usual, it was not without criticism. Contrasting the way of life of dudes to the Soviet system did not win everyone over to the side of young people in bright suits. However, the picture does not look too politicized, it only demonstrates the desire of a certain stratum of society to be in other scenery, which in itself is not a crime.
Mels Biryukov - an exemplary Komsomol member, who in the mid-fifties participates in raids on dudes. He does not even think about another life, but meeting with Polina completely changes the idea of a guy. Mels gets into the magic the world of rock and roll, bright clothes and inner freedom, finds new friends and stands on opposite sides of the barricades with former comrades. Now Biryukov will have to think about how to live on and in which direction to move.
It is curious that the soundtrack was assembled mainly from the hits of the "eighties", however, such a discrepancy does not affect the atmosphere of the film at all. Before us is a light picture, such as a typical musical should be.
[webnavoz_rating id=54447]Dismissed
Director: Thoma Hooper
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2012
If there is a truly great musical, it is "The Cured". Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Ean Hathaway create an incredibly atmospheric picture, saturated with bitterness and darkness. There is a lot of tragedy in the film and few positive moments, but the musical does not have to be fun. The award for the creators of the tape was the recognition of the public and 3 Oscars.
The picture tells us about a difficult fate Jean Valjean, who served almost 20 years of hard labor for stealing bread and returned to freedom as a completely disappointed person. In the course of the plot, the man is constantly in search of motivation, meets different people, takes part in June uprising. Together with the film, the earthly path of Valjean, who played a significant role in the lives of those around him, also ends.
Why do you want to call the musical "Les Misérables" a big one? He filmed in two volumes Hugo, so it is easy to imagine what a narrow framework the tape offered the novel. This fact affected the quality of the picture - many events are reduced to disgrace, and musical compositions follow each other in an endless string, reducing the already limited time for dialogues.
[webnavoz_rating id=54448]La la land
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Genre: Romance
Year of issue: 2016
Before us is a sensational picture in its time "La La Land", which received immediately 6 Oscars and audience acceptance. Ryan Gosling и Emma Stone played love on the big screen and earned high marks. One of the main advantages of the tape is the retro styling used Chazelle. The director borrowed many techniques from earlier films and managed to achieve a certain effect.
Mia и Sebastian - typical creative people who cannot realize their full potential. The man is passionate about jazz, but this direction is not in fashion now and it is difficult for him to find like-minded people. Mia is just starting her acting career, so she is constantly interrupted by part-time jobs. At first, young people do not like each other, but then feelings appear between them.
The shortcomings of this film lie rather in the plane of its origin. Like “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” it was filmed by Americans for Americans and like Grease is not close to the domestic audience in terms of its problems. In such situations, it remains only to relax and enjoy the picture.
[webnavoz_rating id=54451]The greatest showman
Directed by: Michael Gracie
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2017
Hugh Jackman known to the general public not only as a movie actor. His career is closely intertwined with Broadway productions, and when it comes time for musical directors to select actors for the main roles, the choice is obvious. "The Greatest Showman" was awarded 3 Golden Globes and even received an Oscar nomination, although it was marked by mixed reviews from critics.
We are dealing with a biographical tape that tells about a difficult fate Phineas Taylor Barnum, his desire for success served as an example for many subsequent generations. Born into a poor family, the guy is trying to change his life for the better - he finds his beloved woman, gets a job. However, Barnum wants more, and he starts a risky event - he gradually begins to create his own circus. On this path, serious obstacles await him, but the character of a man, the inner core, as well as the ability to win over people predetermine the ultimate success of a businessman.
Of course, the real Barnum was a typical representative of his era, skillful manipulator, one of the first successful marketers. And although the contemporaries of the businessman disagreed in assessing his human qualities, the talent of the businessman was never questioned.
[webnavoz_rating id=54452]Rocketman
Directed by: Dexter Fletcher
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2019
You can hardly find a more controversial figure in the world of show business than Elton John. Many idolize him as a cult performer, others hate him for his lifestyle and sexual addictions, but few question the greatness of the artist and his importance to the industry. "Rocketman" is a biographical musical that tells us about the formation of Elton, the struggle of a star with inner demons and circumstances. The film was favorably received by the audience and collected a huge box office.
Elton fell in love with music as a child, but there is no one to support his passion, except for his grandmother. Parents were focused on work and personal life, so the guy went to "free swimming" early. The singer finds a talented author, and they begin to engage in creativity. Elton meets John Reidthat predetermines his fate for many years to come. The performer is gaining popularity, but toxic relationships, alcohol and illegal drugs ruin the star.
Elton John himself liked the picture, and this already speaks of its high quality. It may seem to many that the whole mess that is happening on the screen is too much. However, if you remove all the vices from Elton's life, you get a not very reliable picture. It is curious that Russian distributors took up scissors when they received the tape. As a result, we did not see many sceneswhich seemed unsuitable to the censors.
[webnavoz_rating id=54453]Read on:For those who do not consider themselves a fan of musicals, we have a wonderful selection of TOP 10 domestic films for which you are not ashamed. For real moviegoers, we also recommend reading our TOP 10 actors who were paid a penny for their roles in cult films.