Awesome Adaptations (48) The Phantom of the Opera

This meme celebrates an awesome adaptation related to a weekly category. Any format of adaptation (television series, film, web series, etc.) is acceptable as long as it is based in some form on a book. This meme is hosted by Alisa Selene at PictureMeReading. Check out her site and join in on the fun!

An Awesome Adaptation Featuring a Love Triangle

Title: The Phantom of the Opera
Adapted from: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Say you love him and my life is over
For either way you choose he has to win

Of course I'm talking about the film based on the musical, which is a far more awesome, tension filled story than the one in the original novel in my opinion.  I think the music adds to the beauty of the story, but I also think the far more alluring nature of the Phantom helps as well. He's more seductive and less um, physically scarred than in the novel, and that makes the love triangle aspect of this story much more feasible.  And I think the movie emphasizes the tragic nature of the Phantom's love for Christine.  Because without the focus being on that, what have we got here?  The Phantom doesn't care about murdering people (although Buquet had it coming!), Raoul is very nice and chivalrous but bland and cardboard and Christine or Little Lotte lets her mind wander and doesn't know if she is "fonder of dolls or of goblins or shoes" or her mysterious angel of music or her childhood friend.  Okay.  The only interesting and redeeming point of the story (besides the lovely Gothic overtones) is the complicated nature of the Phantom and Christine's relationship which sets the stage for a dark and tense love triangle.

And to see it played out by the actors in this adaptation makes it completely enthralling as well.  There is so much chemistry between the Phantom and Christine, emphasized in the music, and also a sweet romance between Christine and Raoul, again so much better when put to music, that I think the story is elevated by the emotional and passionate feelings between all of the characters.  Even though all of the characters are flawed the emotional impact of Christine's choice and that it pretty much ruins the Phantom's only hope makes their story so moving - yes a little over the top, but gorgeous to revel in.

The sumptuous music, design and the directing all add to the beauty of this adaptation - feeding off of the setting of a glorious Parisan opera house; and this movie with its wonderful acting and rich emotional tapestry makes it one of my favorite film adapted musicals.