From Broadway to big screen, Webber’s ‘Phantom’ remains hit to be seen
Reel Reflections
The swell of the music surrounds you as her reflection fades into his.
"The Phantom of the Opera" is there.
He extends his hand through the mirror and takes her. Reality gives way
to fantasy as the Phantom (Gerard Butler, "Dear Frankie") guides
a mesmerized Christine (Emmy Rossum, "The Day After Tomorrow")
down a golden hallway filled with soft glowing candlelight. Their mysterious
journey leads them down into his world to make the music of the night.
Sexual desire and musical learning are two passions combined in this
scintillating tale of love and deception. The Phantom, disfigured from
birth, has known nothing of the world but the Paris opera house. Similarly,
Christine also has lived in the Opera House from childhood. Raised as
a dancer, she also secretly was trained to sing by the mysterious Angel
of Music. Of course, the Angel is the Phantom, and his hold on her is
strong. She is captivated by a love for him every time they meet, but
in her more lucid moments, she falls in love with her childhood friend
Raoul (Patrick Wilson, "Angels in America"). Patrick Wilson
plays Raoul with vigor and charm in a well-voiced performance.
Consumed by his love for Christine and for music, the Phantom has always
run the theatre to his liking. However, its new owners see no reason to
comply with his demands. Then the accidents start. Christine battles with
her feelings for both men and in turn, each man fights to win her.
I saw both the film and the Broadway show for the first time in the same
week. Those original "Phans" have nothing to worry about. The
film version is an accurate representation and only adds to what the stage
gives — with a few extra notes and a swordfight for the boys.
Gerard Butler’s portrayal of the Phantom both captures and breaks
the heart. He conveys both the sensuality and sadness desired by screenwriters
Joel Schumacher and Andrew Lloyd Webber. That’s right — they
meant to make the Phantom sexy. In fact, the screenplay is dripping with
such sexual innuendo that I’m too much of a lady to mention it here.
If you’ve seen any of his previous films, you might not recognize
him for his ability to play roles on such a versatile scale.
As Christine, Emmy Rossum performs with an understandable innocence befitting
and required of her role. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her
role as Christine and recently won a Critics Choice Award.
Andrew Lloyd Webber handpicked both the cast and full orchestra, while
Joel Schumacher broke from his bad-ass tradition to create a world so
marvelously debonair that I was lost in it. Theatre is supposed to transform
the audience, but this film took me so much further, and at times it took
my breath away.
Almost 15 years in the making, this film proves that good things come to those who wait. And like the billboard hovering above Times Square reminds me, I will always remember my first time.
"The Phantom of the Opera"
Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson
Running time: 140 mins
Rated: PG-13
Five out of five paws
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