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The Phantom Of The Opera
2004
Those who thought that smoke machines and cobwebbed candelabras were the stuff of Halloween parties and dance clubs need to think again. In Joel Schumacher's film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, these moody set devices--and countless others--make every scene an atmospheric vision .. Read more
| Starring | Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Minnie Driver |
|---|---|
| Director | Joel Schumacher |
| Genres | Drama, Music/Musical, Romance |
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The Phantom Of The Opera
Those who thought that smoke machines and cobwebbed candelabras were the stuff of Halloween parties and dance clubs need to think again. In Joel Schumacher's film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, these moody set devices--and countless others--make every scene an atmospheric vision of souped-up 19th-century Gothic bliss. Christine Daee (a luminescent Emmy Rossum) is a tortured young star who is haunted by the voice of the phantom (Gerard Butler--who also played the lead in DRACULA 2000), a musician who hides in the shadows to hide a facial disfigurement, yet sings to her obsessively. Dwelling in the dark, damp chambers beneath the Paris opera house, the phantom lords over the cast and management with artistic autocracy--he writes the shows, casts them, and threatens all who disobey his plans with dramatically violent outbursts. But when his young student Christine falls for the rich and dapper Raoul (Patrick Wilson), the phantom descends into madness. Webber's memorable songs are performed with aplomb by Rossum, whose background includes singing with the Metropolitan Opera, and Wilson and Butler provide ample accompaniment. One of the treats of the proceedings is Minnie Driver's deeply exaggerated portrayal of the jealous diva, giving this PHANTOM a very appropriate dose of comic relief.
| Starring | Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Minnie Driver, Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow |
|---|---|
| Director | Joel Schumacher |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 23 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, Music/Musical, Romance |
| Language | English |
| Subtitles | English |
| Released | DVD: 02 May 2005 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Filmed without much wit or invention, this is an inert, kitsch version of a much-filmed work that gains neither romance nor spectacular drama from its musical treatment; unmasked, the Phantom appears to have a slight case of acne, and the singing is as un
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Extraordinary...superb performances
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Most helpful member's review
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35 out of 42 people found this review helpful
Brilliant!!!
Don't listen to the people who are saying that this was rubbish or boring......they are quite frankly wrong. This was a wonderful film, beautiful, heartbreaking, funny and captivating all at the same time. The sets and costumes are exquisite and the acting was wonderful. The songs were beautifully performed all round and Gerard Butler really out does himself with his portrayal of the phantom. If you don't like musicals or would rather die a very slow and painful death at the hands of a hobbit than go to the opera, then this probably isnt your thing. after all it is called the phantom of the OPERA!!! therefore there are several operas in it. however, if you could sit through an opera without becoming suicidal then you should definatly see this. i dont particularly like opera and i was completely enthralled from start to finish. watch this film or the phantom will get you!!!!
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Most recent members' review
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9 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Exciting, and disappointing...
Excellently brought to the screen in a way which spells out what the story is about, which may NOT be totally clear if you saw it in the theatre. Some nice touches added which could never be done on stage, like the black and white contrasting scenes.
Unfortunately in the film version, the Phantom/Opera ghost is portrayed very much as a real person from the start. Whereas in the theatres, the audiences are left guessing as to whether it is a ghost or not for a very long time. Therefore the film has very much LESS of a spooky feel to it.
The music: well sung, nowhere NEAR as powerful as during the Crawford and Brightman era, but who could beat that duo!? Unfortunately, (and this is what ruined it for myself and MANY others) is the lip-synchronisation. It is BLATENTLY obvious that the actors are not singing in time (or at all for that matter). It is obvious to any ol' fool that the music is being added on afterwards, after a few hours of studio work. Yes, i know... 'That is how all films are done nowadays'. BUT, Moulin Rouge, Chicago etc were all BELIEVABLE, whereas the actors in Phantom really look like they are mouthing the words, while the editing has left the actor's mouths moving after the words come out.
But enough of that... The sets are fabulous, the dancing is above average and the 'Diva' brings great comic relief to a somewhat chilling love story.
PS. Did anyone notice the severe 'mist' problem that the theatre has? Seems every room back-stage has a carpet of fog sweeping through it...interesting...!
Fan of the theatre version? See the film for comparison...
Fan of musicals? See the film for its soundtrack.
Fan of a well made/edited/directed film? See something else! -
News and features
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Phantom comes to London
- 07 Dec 2004
The stars were out en-masse last night, littering the red carpet in London's Leicester Square for the UK premiere of the silver-screen version of the hit musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Jennifer Ellison, the former Brookside starlet who makes her first big screen debut in the epic tale of love and passion, was on hand to wow the crowds, as was co-star Minnie Driver who plays a Maria Callas-esque operatic diva. "This has been a long time in the making and turned out as I've always wanted, Read more
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The Phantom Of The Opera
Those who thought that smoke machines and cobwebbed candelabras were the stuff of Halloween parties and dance clubs need to think again. In Joel Schumacher's film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, these moody set devices--and countless others--make every ...
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