Themusicalmovie genre lends itself to big, bombastic, larger-than-life performances that jump off the screen, but these films feature some over-the-top work from iconic actors. While thebest original movie musicalsstarted out on the silver screen, many great additions to the genre were adapted from stage musicals. Acting in a musical on stage is markedly different from working in film, as the performers have to communicate their thoughts and feelings to the audience members in the back of the theater. Since the same isn’t true for movies, some actors give performances that are a little too big.
Though movie musicals aren’t for everyone, and some viewers might not appreciate the spectacle of these performances, they’re often incredibly fun to watch. This genre shouldn’t be overlooked, as there are manymovie musicals that have won Best Picture at the Oscars, cementing this niche of cinema as one to be taken seriously. As time progresses, these actors and their work inthese films have been reevaluated and are typically remembered fondly.These projects are beloved by many critics and audience members.
The beloved children’s fantasy movieChitty Chitty Bang Bangfeatures one of the greatest performers of his generation, Dick Van Dyke,as the inventive father, Caractacus Potts. Full of magic, adventure, and plenty of classic songs,Chitty Chitty Bang Bangsees Van Dyke put his characteristic spin on the role of Caractacus. While Van Dyke’s work as Bert in the classic 1964 movieMary Poppinsis just as memorable, he’s larger than life as Caractacus throughoutChitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Though Van Dyke isn’t doing an outlandish Cockney accent inChitty Chitty Bang Bang, he gets to play with hilarious props and set pieces throughout the film. The fantastical world of the film lends itself to an oversized performance, soVan Dyke easily fits into the world of the story,even if the other actors are more understated. ThoughChitty Chitty Bang Bangisn’t Van Dyke’s most iconic musical, it’s just as fun to revisit today.
70%
71%
All theDisney live-action remake movieshave faced challenges. Though many of them have been box-office hits, it’s difficult to compare them to the magic and nostalgia of the original animated projects. This was the case for the 2019Aladdin, which starred Will Smith as the hilarious and heartfelt Genie. Unfortunately,Smith was never going to be able to avoid being compared to the first Genie, Robin Williams,whose performance is widely regarded as one of the best instances of voice work in history.
It’s likely that Smith was attempting to put his own spin on the role and differentiate himself from Williams, which was a good idea. However, this led toa performance that was on par with the spectacle of the filmand is a bit over-the-top in retrospect. The visual effects are just as whopping as Smith’s work as the Genie, which likely led to the mixed critical response to the project. However, of all the live-action remakes,Aladdindoes a decent job of staying true to the heart of the story.
57%
94%
Nicole Kidman is a fantastic actress and steps outside her comfort zone in the jukebox musicalMoulin Rouge!directed by Baz Luhrmann. Like most projects by Luhrmann,Moulin Rouge!doesn’t hold back in terms of style, atmosphere, and drama,and so Kidman is required to do the same in her performance as Satine. Set in the highly romanticized time and place of Paris during the Belle Époque,Moulin Rouge!follows the doomed love story of Satine and Christian (Ewan McGregor), leaning into the melodrama and tragic romance of the tale.
Satine is a difficult role, as she’s caught in a dangerous love triangle and finds out she’s dying of tuberculosis early on in the story.
Satine is a difficult role, as she’s caught in a dangerous love triangle and finds out she’s dying of tuberculosis early on in the story. Trying to capture this whirlwind of emotions while singing classic pop ballads would be a challenge for any actress, and while Kidman gives it her all, the nature ofMoulin Rouge!requires a little sensationalizing. Despite this, it’s safe to say that most audiences won’t escapeMoulin Rouge!without tearing up by the film’s conclusion.
75%
89%
The 2007 movie musical remake ofHairspraymight have originally stemmed from John Waters' 1988 cult classic,but it’s very different from this project. Still satirical and edgy, the 2007Hairsprayallows itself to be more genuine and mainstream than Waters' project, and this is what has allowed it to have so much long-term appeal. John Travolta stars as Edna Turnblad, a role that’s traditionally done in drag, returning to his musical roots that started with projects likeSaturday Night FeverandGrease.
Since there’s an inherent campiness to the project, it’s unsurprising that the actors are giving their all to their roles and doing more than might be necessary at times. Though it’s an over-the-top performance, it’s one of Travolta’s best in recent years, and it’s clear that he and the rest of the cast are having a lot of fun.Travolta attempts to recall the iconic performances of the actors who have played Ednaon the stage and screen, and in trying to bring their spirits into the project, he does a little too much.
92%
84%
Audiences will be hard-pressed to find a single aspect of Baz Luhrmann’sElvisthat isn’t over-the-top, as the filmmaker and actors took the story of the rock legend and made it as larger-than-life as his legacy. Austin Butler’s portrayal ofElvishas cemented his reputation as an actor, as it’s likely he will forever be connected with this film. From the accent to the clothes, Butler had to over-act throughout the movie’s runtime to make his voice and performance heard over the loud spectacle of the production choices.
Elvisis amusic biopic that was a box-office success, and it’s easy to see why. Though there are emotional highs and lows throughout the story,watchingElvisis a lot like a roller-coaster ridethat the audience can let themselves get lost in. There was no way that Butler would be able to give a quiet, thought-provoking performance, as the pace moves too quickly and the vivid visuals all beg for the audience’s attention. If Butler hadn’t played Elvis over the top, his work would’ve gotten lost in the colorful chaos.
77%
Music biopics are a tricky niche of the musical genre, as it’s almost impossible to get the balance right between impersonating the subject of the film and evoking their presence onscreen. With a person as iconic and theatrical as Freddie Mercury, Rami Malek had a tough job ahead of him, and not every aspect of his performance works. Thoughhe won the Academy Award for Best Actor forBohemian Rhapsody,it’s doubtlessly a polarizing portrayal of the pop singer.
Many of the more out-there choices that Malek makes throughoutBohemian Rhapsodywere not necessarily the fault of the actor but the way that the movie went about telling Mercury’s story. It’s a layered tale, and balancing the music with the dramatic shifts in Mercury’s personal life made it difficult for both Malek and the audience to get a handle on the tone. SinceMercury has so many well-known expressions, styles, and affectations,this can sometimes overshadow the deeper emotional moments.
60%
85%
Before Bob Fosse won the Oscar for Best Director forCabaretand was later nominated for bothLennyandAll That Jazz, he made his first strides as a filmmaker with the 1969Sweet Charity. Known for his work on the stage as a prolific choreographer,Fosse had directed the musical on Broadway and brought it to life onscreen,starring Shirley MacLaine as Charity. Time has been kind toSweet Charity, revealing how innovative the film was, but MacLaine’s performance is a little out there, even by today’s standards.
AsSweet Charityprogresses, the outlandish narrative of the story and MacLaine’s commitment to the scale of the role can be a lot to handle.
Charity is a big part for any actress, and her undying optimism can easily grate on the audience. However, this is the purpose of her character and a facet of the plot. AsSweet Charityprogresses, the outlandish narrative of the story and MacLaine’s commitment to the scale of the role can be a lot to handle. Despite this, it’s easy to forgive some of MacLaine’s melodramatic moments, as this is what the role calls for on stage, and it’s clear thatSweet Charityexists in a world of magical realism.
80%
73%
The campy cult classic movie musicalWhat a Way to Go!is fondly remembered today for its tongue-in-cheek jabs at the film industry and gorgeous sets and costumes.However, when it first premiered, reviews were mixed, as there isn’t a single aspect of the project that couldn’t be considered over-the-top. Following Louisa (Shirley MacLaine) as she chronicles the stories of her unlucky string of husbands who all end up dead, Gene Kelly appears as one of her last romances, Pinky.
Kelly is one of the great movie musical performers, known for his iconic dancing skills and incredible work as a choreographer. As an actor, Kelly would sometimes lean into ham territory, as seen inWhat a Way to Go!, but this is part of the reason we love him. Pinky is an outrageous part and requires the actor to be larger-than-life, but Kelly takes this to the next level at times. Though this performance leaps off the screen, it sets him apart inWhat a Way to Go!and reminds us how much he contributed to themusical genre.
What a Way to Go! (1964)
18%
67%
