#jo ellen pellman

The basic premise of the film is that these Broadway actors (who have just had a flop) decide to help out a young girl have the prom of her dreams after its cancelled when she cant bring her girlfriend. It sound nice in theory but truthfully I found the Broadway actors (played by Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman and Andrew Rannells) to be the worst part. Andrew was the only tolerable character in those scenes but overall its played too over the top that it almost comes across as parody. They sing a song early on in the film where “they have to help the little lesbian because they’re thespians” and I swear it sounded like something you’d hear in The Producers. And the other part of the film (the school side) while being a little cheesy was at least very heartfelt and earnest. So the tone on the Broadway side just didnt always gel. I totally get that they’re supposed to be “out of touch” and “dramatic” because theyre theater actors but its just a bit too OTT. James in particular comes across as very grating as he tries to play very stereotypically gay.

I also feel like the film doesnt have a lot of real conflict in it. At the beginning of the film the prom has been completely cancelled over Emma (played by Jo Ellen Pellman) being gay. And shes fighting the PTA over this matter. But as soon as the Broadway actors show up (without them actually doing much) boom prom is back on now. So that conflict is over. The mean popular kids are no longer homophobic because Andrew Rannells sings them a song about how they’re hypocritical for cherry picking the bible. Sop that conflict is easily resolved. Not too mention that if all took was to bring up that its also a sin to have a tattoo or get divorced then Im sure there would be no more homophobes in the world. Like, it aint that easy. Kerry Washington plays the pTA ringleader who’s trying to stop Emma and the Prom. She also plays the mother of Emma’s secret girlfriend. And that could be an interesting thing to explore but they dont really give much between the two characters. And once the daughter finally does confront her mom and tell her shes gay, literally 5 min later in the next scene the mom is all “I love you” and she has accepted her. Like everything in this film is wrapped up too neatly in a bow. Im not saying this film has to end dark…I know they want to have the happy ending and thats totally fine…but conflicts are resolved to easily.

I’ve never seen the stage musical so I dont know how it compares. But I feel like this film had the potential to be good. I just think they could have done without the broadway actors storylines…they dont really do much to push the storyline forward anyway. And instead focus on Emma and her fight, maybe have some students be the ones to rally behind her and expand on those relationships.