I'd only heard good things about The Greatest Showman and it definitely did not disappoint. I saw the film last Tuesday evening and by Wednesday morning I'd downloaded the soundtrack and was well on my way to learning all of the words to all of the songs.

Set in 1840's New York, this musical film follows the struggles and triumphs of Hugh Jackman's character, P.T. Barnum, as he creates the Barnum & Bailey Circus, along with his wife (Michelle Williams), playwright Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron) and a host of unique and interesting acts including a trapeze artist, Anne Wheeler (Zendaya), a Swedish opera singer (Rebecca Ferguson) and a bearded lady (Keala Settle). The set (which reminded me of the one I was lucky enough to film on last year), costumes, dancers and supporting cast are fantastic and the way in which the story is told is so creative and unique. The film also features eleven original musical numbers and personally, I didn't listen to the soundtrack before watching as I wanted to experience it as a whole for the first time. However, if you do want a taste of what you're going to see, my favourite songs are 'Never Enough' and 'Rewrite the Stars'.

With elements of ambition, love, friendship and heartache paired with toe-tapping melodies, meaningful lyrics and an insanely talented cast (including the resurrection of musical Zac Efron, I've missed you), The Greatest Showman is a fresh, feel-good, family film that has quickly become one of my favourites.


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