TConverting the musical, The Phantom of the Opera, into a movie
that stays faithful to both the haunting story and floating
melody of its pristine notes was a challenge for the creators
of this cinematic venture. But the stunning colorfully ornate
stage and costumes that shine throughout the movie accompanied
by pure voices did not fail to stay true to what may arguably
be considered the best musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Webber,
together with director Joel Schumacher, put Phantom onto another
dimensional plane and ensured its success.
Differences from Musical to Movie
While for the most part the movie took very few liberties to
allow for differences from the original score, there are several
changes that a Phantom fan might notice. A few times throughout
the movie there were slight lyric changes. They were so slight
it’s questionable why there was any change at all, but
it’s noticeable when you’re signing along and you
sing the “wrong” words. Another difference, which
seemed to help the flow of the movie, were several parts where
when a line which was sung in the stage opera is spoken in the
movie, and vise versa. Also, a bit more history was added to
flesh out the story in the film version, particularly in regards
to the history of the Phantom (Gerard Butler) and why he was
in the opera house to begin with. This was always something
we were left to wonder about before. Overall, the general story
has very few gaps in the film version and the viewer easily
understands more detailed points that might slip by when watching
the musical for the first time.
Weaknesses of The Phantom of the Opera Movie
Unfortunately the amazing sopranos (which ring so clear you
can hardly believe a singer can reach those notes) and eerily
delicate ballads don’t have the same affect in the movie.
One of the pleasures of going to the stage musical in person
are the chills you get from knowing the people on the stage
are right there before you singing those virtually impossible
notes. The talent rattles in your bones and you know there is
no computer enhancement of any kind. It’s pure talent
and it’s stunning! While the movie doesn’t let you
down musically, you just can’t get the same enchantment
you feel in person.
One other downfall is how most of the time it just doesn’t
look like the actor is singing at that very moment. It appears
like their bodies aren’t taxed enough to produce such
voluminous, all-enrapturing music. Then you have their crisp,
perfect songs which are wonderful on their own, but they just
don’t seem to be sung in the same setting where we’re
seeing the actor. You almost have to have two consciousnesses;
one that enjoys the studio quality music and one that enjoys
the fantastic sights of the movie. It is the combining of the
amazing music with the visual flow of the characters within
the movie is not well accomplished, however.
Strengths of the Movie
For one who loves the musical The Phantom of the Opera, the
movie will not be a disappointment. It’s a beautiful addition
that upholds the same quality of music, brings delight to the
eyes and fills in the holes in the storyline. From the beginning,
as the film starts in a grainy black and white, it has one of
the best transitions into color with the stunning theme song
blasting as the opera chandelier magically floats into its original
position, bringing color and youth back as it moves through
the air. Statues lose their cobwebs and return to polish, broken
stage lights now glow with flames, and torn seat covers convert
to plush red velvet. The transition takes you back to a time
when the Phantom thrived. While the visual takes your breath
away, the costumes and make up are definitely Oscar caliber
(or most likely better). The elaborate Prima Donna outfits worn
by Carlotta (Minnie Driver) coupled with hair styles and make
up, which looks like the actor had been preparing to for last
10 hours alone, pick up the slack that a slower paced musical
holds among today’s fast action movies. No detail was
left untouched on the ornate, baroque-like stage settings, nor
on costume and design.
Most importantly is the backbone of the movie, the music. It
is outstanding! What most fans of the musical are looking for
is a preservation of the music. As Webber thankfully states,
“It was absolutely crucial that we have people who could
really sing because song drives the entire piece.” It
makes the movie so much more powerful to know that almost all
of the actors are actually the amazing singers as well. Christine
Daaé (Emmy Rossum), a doe eyed, new actress upheld the
challenging songs with out falter. You could truly believe that
she was in fact inspired by the Phantom.
The Phantom – a.k.a. Angel of Music
The complex role of Phantom, performed by Gerard Butler, was
strong is some areas, weak in others. He is certainly a dark,
handsome type who plays the role of a reclusive musical genius
well. His eagerness for enveloping the part shows through in
his acting. What is hard to accept about his character though
is his singing voice. While he’s a good singer, with a
lovely speaking voice (dark and mysterious), he is a little
rough with some of the songs which are meant to be love songs
to Christine. While the man ought not to be changed, perhaps
a little more vocal coaching would have done the role more justice.
During the movie he seems to be everywhere at once and even
while he’s just hung a man, you are still then able to
have compassion for him for his longing for Christine which
will never come to be.
Christine Daaé
Emmy Rossum, a beautiful young actress, dazzled movie goers
with not only her looks and innocent face, but with a voice
which is enviable by any soprano singer. She easily transitions
from piercing notes higher than most songs you’ll ever
hear, to low seductive, full, rich tones. She looks like the
typical Christine is meant to look. There is not much non-singing
acting for her to do, nor is that her strongest point, but when
about 90% of your role is singing that is perhaps understandable.
Of the acting that she does, which is mainly in her facial expressions,
Rossum was exceptional in the way she maintained an air of innocent
naivety until she is taken by the Phantom for the first time
to his lair. There you see a transition in her movements and
looks, turning more seductive, something you rarely see in her
again. She does a great job of showing the spell the Phantom
has over her which helps to explain why she is so torn at times
between the Phantom and Raoul.
Raoul de Chagny
Patrick Wilson plays Raoul, the rich young patron of the opera
house, and also the long lost childhood lover of Christine.
He ends up meeting her again as she sings a star aria during
the opera’s first performance of the movie. He is confident,
honest and gives off a polar opposite appearance of the Phantom,
presenting a safe and appealing place for Christine to turn
to. He is what the Phantom can’t and will not be, which
seems to drive his jealousy, and at the end, his agony when
losing Christine.
Carlotta
Minnie Driver as Carlotta is the perfect example of the most
demanding, spoiled, Italian diva who wants her way above any
others because she’s believed, and told, to be the best.
But as soon as she sees someone else who can compare, she starts
to worry. Even though Carlotta is a “princess,”
she’s harmless and is not a villain in this story but
merely a competitor. Her voice is outstanding and the vocalist
for Driver obviously changes the potential of her voice to make
it sound a bit more annoying to fit her role. She is comical
with her facial expressions and the ways in which she strives
to be pampered.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that the musical, The Phantom of the
Opera, is excellent with most notably exquisite music. The movie
is no different. Musical expectations were met with opera quality
actors who sang their own parts. The stunning visuals portrayed
a story which just cannot be obtained by stage alone. While
the charm and qualities of a stage performance are not present
in any film, this movie managed to preserve what we love about
Phantom and bring new life to the classic story.
