Hamilton (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
4 short yrs. ago, theater-goers & critics were blown away by the high-spirited, culturally significant 'Hamilton', a musical about America's 1st Treasury secretary/political mastermind, Alexander Hamilton. Now we can all see this thrilling, much anticipated 160 min. filmed version of the play (directed by Thomas Kail) with the original principal Broadway cast. Based on a book by Ron Chernow, this musical details the relentless ambition & romantic entanglements of Hamilton. Although this play is based on his real-life exploits, it does what most historical dramas do: re-imagine events so as to make a more dramatically effective saga.
The play is divided into 2 acts. Writer/composer/performer Lin-Manuel Miranda utilizes a racially & ethnically diverse cast. And he sets it all to an exhilarant fusion of hip-hop, show tunes & pop music. Born into poverty in the 1770s on the Caribbean isle of Nevis, Hamilton then immigrates to NY as a cocky, yet verbally-blessed 19 yr. old ... just as the revolution is getting under way. In NY, he befriends eventual Vice-President Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.), right when America was on the verge of overthrowing British rule (arrogant King George III is humorously played by Jonathan Groff) & forging its own government & Constitution.
Hamilton courts & marries sweet Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo), yet maintains a relationship with her older sister Angelica (Renee Elise Goldsberry), his intellectual soul mate. In the wake of several political victories, Hamilton & Eliza's son, Philip, is born. Act II focuses on Hamilton's business with the 1st three presidents: Washington (powerful Christopher Jackson), Adams & Jefferson (charismatic Daveed Diggs). Hamilton's adulterous affair with a woman named Maria creates a rift with Eliza that is only healed when tragedy strikes their son (stellar Anthony Ramos). The affair/sex scandal also ruins his political career. And ultimately, it is Hamilton's long-running friendship-turned-rivalry with Aaron Burr which eventually proves to be his undoing.
Wowza. I did not think that this cultural phenomenon would live-up to the hype. I went into this filmed performance thinking I would be let-down. And though I don't think it's perfect, and while some of the rap songs didn't do it for me ... on the whole ... I was blown away by Lin-Manuel Miranda's lyrical ingenuity & the superb performances. As for the medium with which we're all watching this version (on streaming, and not in a movie house or theater), although we're robbed of the inherent energy & electricity of a live performance, there are many positives to be found. Using 9 cameras, cinematographer Declan Quinn supplies new perspectives on the action; whether far above the stage to capture the scope of the choreography, or for intense close-ups to capture actors' nuanced expressions.
Lin-Manuel Miranda entertains as Hamilton and, the man's ability to write/compose this innovative magnum opus is unparalleled. That said, there are stand-out actors who impressed me more so with their acting/singing skills. Tony Award-winning Leslie Odom Jr. is a thoroughly compelling Burr. Tony-winner Daveed Diggs delights in his dual role as both Marquis de Lafayette & a preening, self-involved Thomas Jefferson. Jonathan Groff is hysterical as King George III; clueless as to why the rebellious colonists want their independence from merry 'ole England.
Phillipa Soo entranced me as Hamilton's wronged wife, Eliza; who emotionally sings the sad ballad "Burn". There's not a dud in the cast; everyone wowed me with their varied talents. Best of all, for me, is Tony-winner Renee Elise Goldsberry, as Eliza's beguiling, swaggering sister, Angelica. Her "Satisfied" made me lean forward in my seat as it tore me up & blew me away. All of Miranda's songs contain brilliance, but nothing stunned me so much as the revelatory, percussive "Satisfied", which also comes quickly on the heels of another winner, Eliza's "Helpless".
LMM transformed this history lesson into an innovative & compelling extravaganza. He cast actors of color in roles that would normally be played by white men; making a statement about the importance of America as a melting pot. As he says, "Our cast looks like America looks now". And that is tied-into the theme that: one's rise to fame from poverty can symbolize what an immigrant can achieve in the New World. I'm so glad I finally got to see ANY version of this masterwork.
The play is divided into 2 acts. Writer/composer/performer Lin-Manuel Miranda utilizes a racially & ethnically diverse cast. And he sets it all to an exhilarant fusion of hip-hop, show tunes & pop music. Born into poverty in the 1770s on the Caribbean isle of Nevis, Hamilton then immigrates to NY as a cocky, yet verbally-blessed 19 yr. old ... just as the revolution is getting under way. In NY, he befriends eventual Vice-President Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.), right when America was on the verge of overthrowing British rule (arrogant King George III is humorously played by Jonathan Groff) & forging its own government & Constitution.
Hamilton courts & marries sweet Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo), yet maintains a relationship with her older sister Angelica (Renee Elise Goldsberry), his intellectual soul mate. In the wake of several political victories, Hamilton & Eliza's son, Philip, is born. Act II focuses on Hamilton's business with the 1st three presidents: Washington (powerful Christopher Jackson), Adams & Jefferson (charismatic Daveed Diggs). Hamilton's adulterous affair with a woman named Maria creates a rift with Eliza that is only healed when tragedy strikes their son (stellar Anthony Ramos). The affair/sex scandal also ruins his political career. And ultimately, it is Hamilton's long-running friendship-turned-rivalry with Aaron Burr which eventually proves to be his undoing.
Wowza. I did not think that this cultural phenomenon would live-up to the hype. I went into this filmed performance thinking I would be let-down. And though I don't think it's perfect, and while some of the rap songs didn't do it for me ... on the whole ... I was blown away by Lin-Manuel Miranda's lyrical ingenuity & the superb performances. As for the medium with which we're all watching this version (on streaming, and not in a movie house or theater), although we're robbed of the inherent energy & electricity of a live performance, there are many positives to be found. Using 9 cameras, cinematographer Declan Quinn supplies new perspectives on the action; whether far above the stage to capture the scope of the choreography, or for intense close-ups to capture actors' nuanced expressions.
Lin-Manuel Miranda entertains as Hamilton and, the man's ability to write/compose this innovative magnum opus is unparalleled. That said, there are stand-out actors who impressed me more so with their acting/singing skills. Tony Award-winning Leslie Odom Jr. is a thoroughly compelling Burr. Tony-winner Daveed Diggs delights in his dual role as both Marquis de Lafayette & a preening, self-involved Thomas Jefferson. Jonathan Groff is hysterical as King George III; clueless as to why the rebellious colonists want their independence from merry 'ole England.
Phillipa Soo entranced me as Hamilton's wronged wife, Eliza; who emotionally sings the sad ballad "Burn". There's not a dud in the cast; everyone wowed me with their varied talents. Best of all, for me, is Tony-winner Renee Elise Goldsberry, as Eliza's beguiling, swaggering sister, Angelica. Her "Satisfied" made me lean forward in my seat as it tore me up & blew me away. All of Miranda's songs contain brilliance, but nothing stunned me so much as the revelatory, percussive "Satisfied", which also comes quickly on the heels of another winner, Eliza's "Helpless".
LMM transformed this history lesson into an innovative & compelling extravaganza. He cast actors of color in roles that would normally be played by white men; making a statement about the importance of America as a melting pot. As he says, "Our cast looks like America looks now". And that is tied-into the theme that: one's rise to fame from poverty can symbolize what an immigrant can achieve in the New World. I'm so glad I finally got to see ANY version of this masterwork.