Q&A: Best Musicals, Pick of Ensemble Litter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Etc...
Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 12:13PM I promised a round of reader questions a couple of weeks back and here's the first round of answers. Ready? Let's go.
JAMES FROM AMES: Thoughts on the four musicals up for the Tony this year (editors note: TONIGHT)? What's your favorite musical from this century?
Alas, I cannot answer part one of this question as I've only seen one of them (Groundhog Day) which I thought was very well staged with a sensational lead performance by Andy Karl but the best score nomination feels... let's say "generous". But we have reviewed a few of the nominated productions right here. Funds have been terribly tight this year so not much theater. The other part of the question is (slightly) easier to answer. The best new musicals of the new century... don't make me pick just one. My top 12 in alpha order since I couldn't decide which to jettison. I wish they could all be movies... or most of them, that is. If they already have a film adaptation they're marked with an asterisk.
The list and questions about Gosford Park, color vs black and white cinema, and more after the jump...
- Avenue Q (2004, Lopez & Marx)
- Caroline, Or Change (2004, Tesori & Kushner)
- The Drowsy Chaperone (2006, Lambert & Morrison)
- Fun Home (2015, Tesori & Kron)
- Hairspray* (2003, Shaiman & Wittman)
- Hamilton (2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda)
- The Last Five Years* (2001, Jason Robert Brown)
- The Light in the Piazza (2005, Adam Guettel) these two in bold are the two I listen to the most...
- Taboo (2004, Boy George)
- Urinetown (2002, Hollman & Kotis)
- Wicked (2004, Schwartz)
- Wild Party (2000, LaChiusa)
Outside the list are Grey Gardens, Kinky Boots, American Psycho, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and a few others. And yes 2004 was an incredible year on Broadway. I should note that I dont see everything so of the shows I'm less familiar with, I really regret never seeing The Scottsboro Boys, In the Heights, Next to Normal, and Spring Awakening which all have devout fanbases.
MAREKO: Just rewatched True Lies. Jamie Lee Curtis was so slyly awesome and fun in that. How would you rank her (best) performances?
Jamie Lee Curtis with Murphy & Ackroyd in Trading Places
Thank heavens that the Golden Globes exist and that they've nominated her when she was worthy. I think she deserved an Oscar nomination for Freaky Friday (2003) so that's my #1 for her. She is also sensational in both A Fish Called Wanda (2nd fav) and True Lies (3rd favorite). It's really hard for gifted comic actresses to be appreciated in their time, though, sadly as awards tend to be for "Best Drama" even when they aren't so named. I'd name those three as far and away her three best star turns though I have a soft spot for Perfect (1985) solely from the time capsule perspective. Of the Curtis performances I haven't seen the one I've heard about most often in connection with "she's awesome!" is Trading Places (1983). Have any of you seen that?
DAVE S: More questions inspired by "Mamma Mia 2" - what other movie musicals would you try to sequel-ize? What Abba songs are left that you'd want to hear in this new one? Should they have chosen a different musical artist so they didn't have to work with a partially depleted catalog?
I keep hearing about "depleted catalogue" with ABBA but trust that ABBA's catalogue is huge and awesome (why does no one remember how massive their hits catalogue is?) and there's plenty to work that they didn't use in the first movie. That said I loathe Mamma Mia and am dreading Mamma Mia 2. That musical has already and will continue to tarnish the ABBA legacy as the greatest pop band ever, reducing it to bad karaoke kitsch.
P.S. I prefer movies to be standalone glories so I'm good with nothing being sequelized. Unless someone has a way of resurrecting Judy Garland and then, whatever it is, I'm in...
TYLER: What is your favorite Italian film?
NATHANIEL: For the longest time I would've said La Dolce Vita (1960) without a moment's hesitation but now I have to hesitate having recently seen Seven Beauties (1977) which proved to be every bit the masterpiece I'd heard rumored and more, I may have to rethink.
/3RTFUL: Are you divided? You appreciate golden era Hollywood cinema which mainly resides in black and white. But contemporary color cinema is less vivid and saturated like you like when you're watching newly minted color imagery. How does that work? Being a lover of color yet nostalgic for the era drenched in black and white?
NATHANIEL: I don't feel this is a dichotomy. I am probably not as nostalgic for black and white as it may appear on the blog. I assume the idea that I'm nostalgic for that era comes from my fascination with the studio system's star-factory prowess. That era has the most movie stars, thus more than its share of coverage on the blog but really I'm enthused about all decades of movies. The only reason I don't talk about silents, for example, is that too few of you seem to care... though we should probably talk about 70s cinema more. So there you go. Whether a movie is in black or white or color, I don't care. I only ask that it commit to what it is. I prefer my black and whites to be dramatically lit with blinding whites and inky blacks and I prefer color films to be super colorful. To me it's the same thing. I hope that makes sense.
You're correct that I loathe the current mainstream aesthetic where color is viewed as so frivolous that they drain as much as they can and would clearly rather be black and white. It's literally the most boring aesthetic I've lived through in all of my (cough *40sdgi^7ausgy)kiuasygu#%asjgh*) years. I'm not sure who to blame -- Clint Eastwood? DC superheroes up until Wonder Woman? but this aesthetic has been dulling the cinema down for about 10 years now and trust that I eagerly await the opportunity to dance naked on its grave.
KERMIT: Gosford Park is that rare beast - a true ensemble where it seems that everyone I meet has a different MVP! What are your thoughts on the film and who gives your favourite performance? (I would have been happy with a 2001 Best Supporting Actress category entirely dominated by this film - my winner? Kristin Scott Thomas.)
At the time I was firmly in the "The Oscars got it right!" camp with Dame Helen Mirren being my favorite in that picture and Dame Maggie Smith as runner up. I think Maggie Smith's comic glory in that movie may have dimmed retroactively since she deployed that aristocratic hauteur as high comedy more emphatically and more often on multiple seasons of Downton Abbey. But it really really is a rich cast and any personal favorite seems arguable. We should all rewatch it and discuss for a firmer answer!
Is everyone in?
Reader Comments (32)
Thanks for answering my question Nathaniel - I too was on the "Maggie and Helen deserve the nominations" train back in 2001 but myriad rewatches have meant that Kristin is now my favourite. Shout-outs to Sylvie Blakley (poor, downtrodden Mabel) and Emily Watson who join the first 3 on my dream 2001 ballot...
In my (niche) list of "Maggie Smith performances where she's so effortless that you assume she's playing herself" her Gosford Park slam-dunk has been surpassed by Sister Act...
Trading Places is SO MUCH FUN and Jamie Lee Curtis is great in it. However, it's very much the Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd show, both of whom have arguably never been better than here.
Trading Places is awesome, and JLC is great in it.
I haven't seen it in about 15 years, but I recall thinking the MVP of Gosford Park was Maggie Smith ... and Jeremy Northam. My memory of it is a bit fuzzy. Maybe 2001 should be your next smackdown year.
Love the Gosford Park question--it's such an underrated (or at least infrequently discussed) movie, and one of Altman's best. Maybe it just had the bad luck of coming out in 2001, when a raft of other more obvious masterpieces came out?
I've got to go with Mirren for my pick--when did this sly and subtle Mirren get switched with the more histrionic one we've got right now?
Also love the fact that the movie turns Ryan Phillippe's inability to manage a Scottish accent into a plot point.
@Nathaniel
I am sorry you loathe Mama Mia so much. I agree it is a poorly made movie, but I saw it in the theater 2x and the audience was singing right along with the ensemble. A sequel could only be better than the original. And there are a load of songs to add.
I also saw it on stage in San Francisco and the audience there were all dancing in the aisles.
We sorely need a movie like that at this time in our history.... sadness and anger seem to be the prevailing moods right now.
Gosford Park is my absolute go-to for rainy days. Such a stellar movie.
Maggie Smith wins for me, of course but Helen Mirren, Kristin Scott Thomas and Emily Watson all bring their A game.
I also have a soft spot for Kelly MacDonald- such a good foil to the rest of the cast - her wide-eyed innocence is perfectly deployed.
Such a good film
I also like Trading Places - though I'd say that here are six priceless performances: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Ameche, Ralph Bellamy ad Denholm Elliott as the butler!
ABBA: Nathaniel, I second what you say about their catalogue - I've got all their albums, they're my favourite group - in fact, I think all four members are genius musicians and I can't speak highly enough of them. I also feel that their musical achievements are so strong that we don't have to worry about Mamma Mia! or its sequel upsetting that. ABBA are living legends and their music will stand with the best for as long as people listen to music.
I'm afraid I think the modern trend for colour desaturation started with Saving Private Ryan. Clint has done a lot to carry it on, though. And it's put me off seeing some of the recent superhero movies.Superman, in particular, should be colourful!
Gosford Park: The Academy was right to nominated Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith, but when the film came out I was also very impressed with Kelly Macdonald's performance. I've since also come round to Emily Watson's work in it - amnd next time I watch it I must concentrate more on Kristin Scott Thomas. So many performances to look out for!
Jamie Lee is incredible in Trading Places, and deservedly won a BAFTA for the part.
I know this is asking something in the answers column and not the next question column, but what's the original musical (as in, not originally a movie) you're most surprised doesn't have a movie? I know A LOT of people would say Wicked, but my pick of the one that most makes me go "That really doesn't have a movie" would actually be Chess. Unlike Wicked, it A: Wouldn't cost THAT much to make a movie (It's a grounded sports/(in some stagings)spy thriller, not a fantasy, and I'd guess, even with location shooting in Thailand, I'd bet the result would be maybe $40 million, so...less than Les Miz) and B: Is tied to an enduring mega-hit pop song, One Night in Bangkok.
Volvagia: Chess also has the wonderful ballad duet "I Know Him So Well".
JLC is great camp fun in Mother's Boys but probably best running away from killers or spicin up weak men's lives.
I'm in for Gosford reunion,so much actressing all around that films edges.
I love Volvagia's observation, and I'd go see a Chess movie in a heartbeat. That show has several strong songs, and the setting is entertaining. After the awfulness that was the Mamma Mia movie, I can't imagine putting myself through a second one of those.
I'd say Kristin Scott Thomas was best in show in Gosford Park, but several of the actors in that are excellent. It's a great film.
Gosford Park is one of my comfort movies I can pop in on a slow Friday or Saturday night. It never grows old for me.
Mamma Mia! Is loved all around the world. I hope it shows often in your mind. Even The Iron Lady is growing on me. That cowardice scene is riveting.
More nude men.
Kristin Scott Thomas is such a great actress. She deserves a big comeback in Hollywod or another arthouse French hit. Or both.
Jamie Lee Curtis won the Bafta for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Trading Places. I was very surprised the first time I read about this because usually comedic performances are not recognized by awards, or at least I think. She is fantastic in that is in my opinion is one of the best comedy films of all time. The whole cast has a chance to shine.
I unapologetically loved GROUNDHOG DAY. I think mostly because they adapted it SO well for the stage and really made it their own while keeping homage to the film. Plus, as you said, Andy Karl is sensational.
Trading Places is a comedy classic, and the three leads are all in peak form.
Gosford Park is a favourite re-watch of mine, and I stand by the Helen Mirren nomination.
Next up I'm split between KST and Kelly Macdoald. I agree with whoever mentioned Jeremy Northam who is terrific.
Gosford Park may have missed out on awards but it will always be an audience favourite.
Altman and that a.amazing cast, pore so much elegant wit tossed off with such ease.
My vote for the Ten Best Musicals of the 2000s:
Avenue Q
Book of Mormon
Fun Home
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder*
Hamilton
In the Heights*
Next to Normal*
Once
Spring Awakening
Wicked
* = My personal faves
Special shoutout to The Color Purple, whose music I'd put as the best of the 2000s but the plot of which isn't well-paced.
I never saw Caroline or Change, The Drowsy Chaperone, or Urinetown, but what I've seen and heard of them does sound amazing.
Evan: Saw that. Not as good as the movie it's riffing on, but not bad.
Very much yes for a Gosford Park rewatch and re-discussion. SO many candidates for MVP or just outstanding mentions. Helen Mirren & Maggie Smith deserved those noms but I'd champion Kelly MacDonald, such a quiet performance but she's the piece that pulls it all together. Love Emily Watson's cheeky parlour maid and Eileen Atkins acerbic cook and KST and Claudie Blakely and Sophie Thompson's Dorothy and .....on and on.
I remember so happy watching JLC sitcom Anything But Love, especially the first season. She's so sweet, smart and very funny in that show. It's too bad that not a lot of movies bring out all these good qualities in her.
JLC is a national treasure. Perfect is my guilty pleasure, except that I don't feel guilty about it at all. (Anne DeSalvo is MVP, by the way.)
If/that Mamma Mia! is enjoyable, it has NOTHING to do with the film and EVERYTHING to do with the soundtrack. (Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried are the only bright spots in the cast.)
Emily Watson and Kelly McDonald, totally.
Thank you for answering my question, Nathaniel! I will have to see 'Seven Beauties' soon.
Kristin Scott Thomas is such a great actress. She deserves a big comeback in Hollywod or another arthouse French hit. Or both.
The real Best Supporting Actress of 2013 for Only God Forgives.
Thanks for answering! Our lists look somewhat similar, and I agree that 2004 was a marvelous year.
Mamma Mia is a poorly mad film but it's also highly enjoyable. It's like one of those don't-take-yourself-too-seriously musicals with great ABBA tunes and a lot of bad singing. I found myself singing along (well, humming internally to be exact) during the show...I'm glad it's part of Streep's filmography:)
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Mamma Mia is the worst directed film I have ever seen.
Wonder Woman only has color for the early segments. As soon as they leave the island, it turns as gray as every other movie of its kind. I sighed audibly when that happened.
Volvagia - sure, but chess isn't very cinematic and chess movies never do very well, so I'd think that musical seems like too much of a risk.
Evan - Gentleman's Guide...would be such a fun movie.
DJDeeJay: And if the last two big chess movies weren't vehicles for Tobey Maguire and an unknown, respectively, I could buy that was the only problem. I don't think people wouldn't be down for a chess movie, with the right component parts (actors AND directors, because I also don't think Edward Zwick and post-Amelia Mira Nair helped convince people their butts should be in those seats), but those component parts need to be there, and they haven't been.