THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (2017) Movie Review
"A Celebration of Humanity"
Psalm 139:14 - "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." (NLT)
The Greatest Showman is an new musical with original songs and an incredible cast including Hugh Jackman, an actor whose musical abilities have taken the backseat in career for far too long. Inspired by true events, the story follows P.T. Barnum whose creative and ambitious vision gives birth to a unique form of showbusiness, the very first circus and "freak show".
Barnum is no stranger to hardship. He grows up poor and eventually orphaned. He works hard in whatever available jobs come along to make ends meet. His priority to support his wife and children suppress his dreams. All the while, those dreams tug at his heart. He feels empty and unfulfilled, because his remarkably unique gift goes unused.
He sees opportunity in a hopeless situation.
He sees beauty in the unusual.
He sees color in the mundane.
He sees unity in division.
And he values it.
He employs the same people that society chastises. He gives them a home. He gives them a sense of purpose. He accepts them as they are. He gives them support and love. He gives them all a family.
All in spite of public opinion.
P.T. Barnum is a man caught between two worlds: the working class who celebrate his innovation and the wealthy class that turns up their noses at him. When he ought to focus on his family and community, he loses sight of everything to expand his wealth and chase the fantasy of joining this snobby "high-brow" society.
2 Corinthians 4:16 - "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day." (NLT)
Here lies the greatest lesson of all. He learns quickly that he must chose between wealth and happiness. He cannot have both. In his frivolous pursuit he nearly loses everything: his family, his fortune, and his show.
There is no point to have material wealth in place of spiritual wealth. All the happiness that P.T. Barnum needs is right in front of him the entire time. In his wife, children, and collegues. Together they create the most beautiful family portrayed on the silver screen. Together they can accomplish anything.
