“The Prom” Film Review
By: Mickey Van Drehle
Tags: Film, Film Reviews, Movies, The Prom, Movie Review

Every year there has to be at least one movie that leaves me dancing for joy and in tears for all the best reasons. That movie for 2020 is “The Prom.” Directed by Ryan Murphy (“Glee” “American Horror Story” “Eat Pray Love” “Pose”), this comical musical features stellar performances (especially from queen Meryl Streep), colorful musical numbers and a whole lot of heart. Besides Meryl Streep, the cast includes James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, Keegan-Michael Key, Jo Ellen Pellman, Ariana DeBose, Kerry Washington, Mary Kay Place and Tracey Ullman.

Two award-winning Broadway stars, Dee Dee Allen (Streep) and Barry Glickman (Corden), have just suffered the embarrassment of their career when their new musical “Eleanor” opens with terrible reviews and closes on opening night. Defeated and drinking their troubles away with chorus girl Angie Dickinson (Kidman) and bartender/actor Trent Oliver (a hilarious Andrew Rannells), they decide it’s time to find a new project to become relevant again and boost their image.

Angie finds a story on Twitter about a small town in conservative Indiana. Emma Nolan (Pellman) wanted to go to the prom with her girlfriend, but the PTA squashed her request and cancelled prom. That means it’s time for Dee Dee, Barry, Angie and Trent to go to Indiana, raise hell and support Emma.

Since these actors know how to make an entrance, they enter the latest PTA meeting, lead by conservative parent Mrs. Greene (a fantastic, but small performance from Kerry Washington) and kind/liberal Principal Tom Hawkins (a kind Keegan-Michael Key), with an incredible musical number lead by Dee Dee herself. Mrs. Greene is not having it, but Principal Tom is in heaven since he is one of Dee Dee’s biggest fans.

After making an impression in the PTA meeting, Dee Dee, Barry, Angie and Trent still have work to do. Yes, the prom does get added back to the calendar after attention from civil rights lawyers and Dee Dee’s performance, but that doesn’t mean this small town is ready to accept the LGBTQIA+ community.

As we anxiously await prom day, more events lead up to the moment. Dee Dee’s manager, along with help from Trent, try to get another acceptance performance set up in the area, and it ends up being a disaster at a monster truck rally. We start to learn who Emma’s girlfriend is and it’s Mrs. Greene’s daughter Alyssa (DeBose). Tom and Dee Dee start to build a relationship at the local Applebee’s while Barry makes it his goal to get Emma ready for the prom.

Then it’s prom day. Emma is so excited for the moment because Alyssa has agreed to show up and dance with Emma. Little does Emma know, Mrs. Greene brewed up something on her own. See, the only requirement was to build an inclusive prom for Emma. Which is what Mrs. Greene did: she built an inclusive prom for Emma in the school gym while the rest of the student body had their own prom at a local event place.

Heartbroken, Emma gets mad at Alyssa, thinking she knew all along and didn’t tell her. She retreats to hiding in her house (she lives with her grandma since her parents kicked her out for being a lesbian — Mary Kay Place is fantastic as her grandma). This is where Angie comes in and teaches Emma all about showing her “Zazz.” This gives Emma the confidence and the push to put her next plan into place. I won’t give any of the ending away, but I will say it brought me to tears…happy tears. It’s a stunning message for the LGBTQIA+ community.

As you can imagine, Meryl Streep captivates every moment she is on the screen. From her diva attributes to her show-stopping performances of “It’s Not About Me” or “The Lady’s Improving,” she is incredible. I would LOVE to see an Oscar nomination for this performance or “Let Them All Talk.” I will say…I think this is the performance that deserves it.

James Corden is fantastic as the gay, flamboyant Barry (and I know there has been some criticism for him being a straight man in a gay role). I get the criticism, but I personally think Corden is great in this. Nicole Kidman is fun and sweet, owning her musical number “Zazz,” newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman is stunning and full of charm.

Looking at Ryan Murphy, I have to say his films improve with age. This is a slick, colorful film that flies by due to good editing and transitions. The screenplay from the Broadway writers Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin is funny and full of heart. And then there are the musical numbers that will be playing in your head for days to come.

Watch “The Prom” on Netflix. It’s exactly what we need right now in 2020. Rated PG-13.

Grade = 5/5