"The Prom" Review - Cupids Shuffling Along

This past Summer, I was supposed to see “The Prom” at the Ahmenson in Los Angeles; but alas, 2020 had other ideas. It is quite a relief though to have a new movie musical of the same name to take it’s place, not only because it’s a show I’ve been widely curious about, but just as being a part of a group of moviegoers who enjoy this kind of art, we’ve been craving for a movie musical again.

“The Prom” is fun and entertaining, even though it can be a bit puzzling and silly at moments. Ryan Murphy’s directing has been a hit or miss on certain projects. It includes, glitz, over-saturation, lots of cuts, and the feeling that you are living in a fantasy world. It works easily in projects like Glee, but not as much in Ratched, a show in which you’re telling the story of one of the most horrifying villains in film history. So naturally, Murphy’s style fits with the glamor this musical provides. It elevates the musical numbers to a sparkling level of dazzlement while keeping a lot of the teenage life present feeling fresh and exciting. The musical numbers are a bit of a hit or miss on paper, but the execution and style of each one makes every number a fun party, whether it’s filled with laughter or just pure joy.

All of this perfectly balances the notion of a stellar plot. As a story itself, while partly based on a true story, still feels super off. “The Prom” is about four washed up yet super PC broadway stars, flying to a random town in Indiana to help a random girl go to the prom with her lesbian girlfriend. While it does send some super positive messages that we need in the world right now, there’s so many bits and pieces of this script that I would just love to see done better so it didn’t feel too political. This is not coming from some secret Trump attitude, this is me wishing a show with gay positivity and acceptance of one’s self can come in the form of a fantastic journey, one like in Kinky Boots than in something like this. One that doesn’t feel so in your face with the messaging.

The only thumbs up bit that helps with this fault is the casting. We all know Meryl Streep is boss, but Andrew Rannells and Nicole Kidman also give stellar and well choreographed performances. Plus, newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman gives off an incredibly lovable and breathtaking vibe playing the lead gay character. James Corden was good too, but I question why he was cast as a super gay man with a troubling to adjust American accent. He sure sells it, but even him playing an Elton John like character as opposed to someone like Patrick from Schitt’s Creek comes off super questionable. Ryan Murphy could’ve easily replaced him with Nathan Lane, Brooks Ashmanskas, or literally any convincing homosexual and it would’ve been better in my book. I guess that’s none of my business as I sip my tea.

It will definitely be a treat for broadway fans alike even if it’s not the dream adaption you were looking for. I don’t know if the faults have to do with the movie script or the Broadway musical it’s based on, but something like “The Prom”, for all of its terrific moments, has lots of downs that pull it down quite hard. It’s definitely time to dance, but it surely won’t be a dance to remember down memory lane.

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