Most Rewarding Overall Film in Decades-Uplifting

Rating: 10/10 (23 March 2018)

Burt Lancaster in 1986 made ""Barnum"" and started out as an old man reflecting back (he was 70 then). What captivated me then was Barnum's optimism and imagination. The song from Greatest-- ""A Million Dreams"" does the same thing. I saw Lancaster's film 3 times.
I have seen Greatest Showman 8 times. The last 3-4 viewings, I have started asking different people have they seen it once and they are saying (didn't know if I was the only one over the top): twice, 5 times, once, 5, 6, 3, etc. Four young college kids walking out with one of mother's and they said 5 times and also going back. Most of people who said they saw it multiple times were also going back. From the pre-opening scene where Jackman and Director say a film is best appreciated in a theatre with an audience like you. That opening to me felt so sincere, unlike Hollywood. Then the first opening musical scene with Jackman that just caught my attention and I knew then this was going to be a special movie and stayed true to the end scene where Jackman is whispering ""... its everything you ever want"". Each scene has music and key is lyrics (words) that are real life to us all. This Barnum musical was so captivating because of Barnum's vision and enthusiasm. Also his struggles when he says ""This is not the life I promised you"", similar to all of us at some time. Her father basically also says ""still the taylor sport"" The scene where she says ""our own mothers didn't even want us"". Also ""nothing draws a crowd like a crowd"", how true and his comment about abject publicity. Soo many great one liners. All songs are very moving like ""Never Enough"" and the anthem song but the second to last for me was the key ""From Now ON"". How many of us in life at different times like a New Year's resolution have said ""From Now On"" and ""won't be blinded by the light"" and ""like an anthem in my heart"". Hollywood really missed the boat on this one--taking another line from movie ""you think I can't spot talent"" to his daughter. Hollywood did miss and BIG Time here. Soo puzzling. This is going to be one of top ten Musicals of all times.
I wish they would do 2 things:
# 1Re-release this film again this year (it costs $84 million and taken in $170 mm US and going on $400 million worldwide. In the UK alone--England and Ireland--it is now in its 12th week, unheard of as well in the US. UK has about 900 theatres and its still playing @ almost 800. Only AVITAR in UK in 2009 has had this staying power in 12th week.
# 2--Once a year like ""Rocky Picture Horror Show"" bring it back to @ least select theatres not @ midnight but 10-12 AM. Audience could sing along like Rocky Picture. This film is so uplifting and we need this in todays times-- a real feel good movie based on a true hero from the Circus world, like the line says ""well they are laughing at you anyway so why not get paid"". What is different about Hollywood entertainers today being paid $millions but made up to be beautiful.
Sorry I took so much of your time.
AMEN-enough.