Schmaltz with a capital ‘S’, bloated with a capital ‘B’, The Prom may be better than Cats – but only just. Director/producer Ryan Murphy has dropped the ball big time with this dire, candy-coated, issue-based confection of the Broadway musical.
Aiming firmly at the feel-good factor, when Emma Nolan (newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman) is not only barred from taking her girlfriend to the Prom, but the Prom itself is cancelled, a gaggle of self-obsessed music theatre luvvies descend on the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana. The purpose? To reverse the decision and ensure an all-inclusive celebration for all.
Big tacky choreographed numbers in school gyms and shopping malls, disingenuous emotions as James Corden (yep – Cats) highlights why he should sack his agent in a role of utter banality and Nicole Kidman struts to the AOR groove. The PTA of the school – headed by the bigoted Kerry Washington – needs to be shown the errors of its ways – especially as it’s Washington’s daughter (Ariana DeBose) who is Emma’s partner. Meanwhile, multi-Tony award-winning Dee Dee (Meryl Streep) has her eyes on School Principal, Keegan-Michael Key.
The Prom means well with its positive message of acceptance and inclusivity but sadly loses itself in the rainbow-coloured mire. The songs are mostly painful and unmemorable, no matter how hard the big cast try – although, as a singer, Meryl Streep continues to impress.
Rating: 32%
Director: Ryan Murphy (Hollywood, Ratched)
Writer: Bob Martin (TV’s Micheal: Every Day, Slings & Arrows), Chad Beguelin – based on stage musical by Bob Martin, Chad Beguelin & Matthew Sklar
Main cast: Meryl Streep (The Laundromat, Mamma Mia!), James Corden (Cats, Yesterday), Nicole Kidman (The Goldfinch, Australia)
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