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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Awesome Adaptations (48) The Phantom of the Opera

Posted by Charlene // Tags: ,
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.

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8 comments:

  1. LOVE Phantom..such a good choice..though I was disappointed by Gerard Butler's singing voice in this version!

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    1. Oh yes, I think I didn't have too high expectations when I first went to watch this film because I'd never seen/heard this musical before, but Gerard does suffer a little on rewatching now that I've heard some great voices for Phantom. But the film is still pretty to look at! :D

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  2. I LOVE Phantom, although I much prefer the stage musical to the film. Have you seen the filmed 25th anniversary performance in London? It's my favorite incarnation to date.

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    1. I actually really like some of the streamlining they did for the film in terms of cutting some things down, but I do love the stage show! I haven't seen the anniversary performance in it's entirety but I love the two leads, so I really need to watch it all one day!

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  3. I absolutely love this movie; great choice! I was beyond excited when I got to see the show on Broadway about 6 years ago.

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    1. Oh I would love to see the show on Broadway - I've just seen it in LA, and for some reason there's more of a mystique seeing it in New York. :D

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  4. Oooooooooooooh one of my favorites! Love this movie soooo much! And the music! Aaargh :D I saw the show in Brussels when I was a child and want to see it in London someday! It was so beautiful! New York would be great too, but that's a little too far for me :p Have to admit I didn't read the book yet. Maybe I should change that! ;)
    P.S. I sang all these songs along (and still do)... horrible :p

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    1. I love to sing the songs too - when no one is within earshot and can be tortured by it. :D So great that you love the show so much, I wish I could see it in London as well, it would be great to see what the vibe is in the show there. I hope you read the book - I think it is an interesting read, but the musical is much more lovely.

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