The Prom stars Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, Kerry Washington, Keegan-Michael Key and James Corden, it is a flamboyantly fun musical that is campy, over the top and will make you smile and bring a tear or two to your eye.
In a year that has been trying to say the least at least the new release by Ryan Murphy on Netflix is something that will make you feel happier about the world.
The Prom is about Emma (Jo Ellen Pellman) a recently outed teen who has a wish to attend the the school Prom with her girlfriend. But PTA president Mrs. Greene (Kerry Washington) has other ideas. She sets about to ban Emma from attending. These antics gain the attention of Broadway stars Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep), Barry Glickman (James Corden), Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman) and Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells) and they decide to go to Indiana and help Emma.
Based on the Broadway show by the same name, the film adaption will pull at your heartstrings and also make you tap your feet in time with the catchy music and you will understand why it was nominated for a number of Tony awards in 2018.
The screenplay is by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, who coincidentally wrote the original Broadway musical. The story is loosely based about Constance McMillen who was a senior in Fulton, Mississippi. She planned to bring her girlfriend to the prom but was banned by the school board. McMillen challenged the school board and their immediate response was to cancel the prom. Green Day, Cat Cora and Lance Bass all agreed to sponsor and finance a second prom for McMillen and her girlfriend so they could attend the prom without blatant homophobia and the fear of any backlash or retaliation from the community.
Directed by Ryan Murphy, it is a visual feast for the eyes. Not only costumes and sets but also an amazing cast.
How can you not love a diva-ish singing and dancing Meryl Streep? Meryl Streep as Dee Dee Allen is deliciously good. Dee Dee is an A-grade diva, who will pull out a tony or two to get what she wants and Meryl is absolutely perfect in the role.
Nicole Kidman as Angie Dickinson, a chorus girl who knows a dance move or two is just so much fun. You can see Nicole is enjoying every moment playing Angie. Kidman is very convincing as a well seasoned chorus dancer from the musical Chicago, the long legs and limber arms, Kidman is a born performer.
But there is a little bit of social media backlash over James Corden playing Barry Glickman. For those of you familiar with the original Broadway production and Brooks Ashmanskas you’ll realize that James Corden looks very familiar to the actor in the original role. Yes the casting directors could have had a gay actor play the role, but Corden is convincing and there are moments where you will feel for the character and realize that James is doing a great job.
But what I like about The Prom is this is a story for any gay teen that felt alone growing up and knows what it is like to be a target of unwanted homophobic bullying.
The Prom is a movie that will make you realize that it is okay to be you, but equally there are many others out there that are similar to you and wish for the day where they can bring who they want to their end of year prom without prejudice and just experience love and joy and most importantly celebrate the completion of high school.
The Prom is available on Netflix from December 4th.
