Sondheim on film

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2007)

OK - I know I will be sent to Sweeny for a shave myself for what I am about to say, but here goes.....This is another reason why a Sondheim show is hard to film. There is something missing and I just can't put my finger on it. I'll admit it is a great looking film with great actors and it is always nice to see a Broadway musical on film, but there is just something there that kept me from coming away with a "WOW" as the credits rolled.
Maybe it's knowing the show so well and what a big scope of a thing it is on-stage and then to find it all in the cramped quarters of a movie screen with all the choral music missing. Some of those sounds and harmonies are just as haunting as the show itself.
As I mentioned above, it is great to have it added to the list of adapted Broadway musicals and Tim Burton was the perfect choice to do this kind of film, but.........