The Prom ★★★
Updated: Dec 15, 2020
Ryan Murphy
Starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, Jo Ellen Pellman
Movie adaptations of musicals can be hit and miss at the best of times. The last attempt, also involving James Corden ominously, was just bizarre and a complete mess. The Prom then, could go either way. Will it inspire a toe-tapping dance around the living room or a two hour bafflement?
The plot focusses on a group of thespians out to prove that they're not as narcissistic as they appear. How do they do that? By appearing to help a girl who is caught in a homophobic battle with the PTA of her school of course!
While the plot and some of the more extreme character opinions seemed a bit on the nose, the representation of LGBTQ+ makes it commendable and, frankly, the story is secondary to the brilliant musical numbers and some of the set pieces on show.
Meryl Streep is the best of the big stars and carries much of the movie. She is full of life and it's her most fun performance in years. However it's Emma (Jo Ellen Pullman) that really impresses. She holds her character well and her voice will surely mean we'll be seeing a lot more of her in musicals to come.
The Prom manages to straddle the line between cheese and outright extravagance in such a way that it just might fit the bill this holiday season. While it doesn't hit the re-watchable heights of a musical film like Mamma Mia, it certainly improves on the feline catastrophe that came earlier in the year. This movie is for the musical lovers and anyone who's looking for a big dose of escapism in a wild world.
The Prom available now on Netflix