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The Greatest Showman | FULL MOVE REACTION! (Patreon)

Published:
2026-01-23 18:00:15
Imported:
2026-08
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IT IS TIME TO SEE THE GREATEST SHOW OF ALL TIME!!!!

Here is the FULL PATREON EXCLUSIVE REACTION to the The Greatest Showman!

Enjoy!!

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Comments

Iron_claw

Live action, ( Alita battle angel ) in the next movie voting poll please one of the very very very very few actually really good live action adaptations.

Aslaug Sofie Ogilvie

SOOO EXCITED. Joined because of Encanto and can’t wait for more musicals😍😍😍

pen

I know we're in beyoncé music journey still but would want you to see her movies, too. But of course, only when you can!

Zero

Third reaction I've seen to this movie its so good🫡

PAG

Seconded for this reaction

Jujo online

Damn I just saw another The greatest showmann reaction last week weird lol

Potter889

Any plans on when the next Patreon exclusive vote is going to happen? It's been almost 3 months since DxD ended.

m

Don’t get me wrong I’m super excited for this but I thought you said Hamilton was next🥹🥹. Also I think Patreon should get to vote more😂😂. I’m boutta enjoy this masterpiece tho thanks Luke!!

Maks Lesniewski

The kid actor isn't actually singing in "A Million Dreams", it's another kid.

Brian Le

DREAMGIRLS NOW PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE

Laura carter

Can I ask will you be doing any more wicked videos?

Matthias

I heard those slots are now filled by the anime he has to catch up on.

AdamPacio.art

Hey Luke! American here. Phineas Taylor Barnum, or PT Barnum as he's better known, was the man who invented the American style of circus under the big tent. He lived in New York City and the Connecticut "Gold Coast", a place which is traditionally where all of the NYC Elites had their homes on the shore of Long Island Sound, and which is still the 'country home' of the NYC super rich still today. Connecticut is a formal part of the "New England" states, which is why even today you see it and go, "Hey this is England!" That's where the term came from. I've visited England and yep, I made my host laugh when they asked what I thought and I said, "It looks like Connecticut, honestly." ;) When you hear "Connecticut" the closest 'cultural' equivalent is going to be the Cotswolds in England. Very rich. Very old money. Very fake-quaint. Very conservative. PT Barnum was actually not a nice man at all. I won't spoil the movie for you, but please understand this is only "kinda" based on Barnum's life. Barnum had very few redeeming qualities, ever. Barnum is the source of the quote, "A sucker is born every minute." This movie is VERY whitewashed and pretty-ed up. Enjoy the movie as a work of fiction, and if you really love it, then DON'T look up PT Barnum online or you will be very, very sad. The events of the movie did basically happen in his life (the major ones - Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace, Jenny Lind was a very real singer known as the Swedish Nightingale, and Barnum did start with a wax museum and then evolved it into the first American Circus.) As for Hugh, he's not only a singer and a musical actor, but he literally had his very own Broadway show that won awards, telling the story of Jackman's real life. The name of the show is "The Boy From Oz". My brother's boyfriend was in the broadway cast and he got to work with Hugh. But Wolverine? That came later. He's always been true to his origin as a musical singer, dancer, and actor, which was his theatrical origin. I lived for a while in Bridgeport Connecticut, which is where the real Barnum kept his animals and circus performers every winter. I used to live next to the cemetery where the sideshow "freaks" were all buried. Their graves are full blown marble mausoleum tombs like for kings or queens, they got that rich with Barnum. Tom Thumb was the smallest dude, but he had the largest grave of them all. And PT Barnum had a lifetime issue with fires. Fires destroyed his property more times than you can count. And then, after death, the PT Barnum CIrcus Museum in Bridgeport downtown has continued to struggle with the curse of fires, burning down again and again. Barnum was truly cursed by fire. He also released a set of African Parrots into the wilds around Bridgeport, and they evolved a winter coat to survive American winters, and they still have colonies of "Barnum Parrots" that are an invasive species in the region. They're loud and look shaggy, but they're green parrots, yep yep yep. The government has to do periodic purges of their population because they are invasive and out-compete the native flocks of birds, but even though they kill as many as they can, every decade or so the Barnum Parrot population surges back.

Potter889

That should be the YouTube slot that Orb was in for catching up on other anime, unless he said something I missed. Normally this slot would be the Patreon exclusive slot, but he's been filling it with these movies and other stuff Patreon never voted on.

KayJayO

just live in the fantasy of the movie and never learn more about the actual PT Barnum lol

Sébastien Montibert

Fun fact : This Is Me was nominated as best song to the Oscar Ceremony and lost against... Remember Me from Coco !

Aaliyah Fountain

Luke!! I’m loving the movie reactions I joined as a beehive but I’m staying as a member of waffle gang !!

Maks Lesniewski

Also, with how great this movie is, it's really sad to know that's not true at all, and that P.T. Barnum was actually a really terrible person in real life.

m

The songs throughout this whole movie slap! And I always forget there’s people who only know Hugh Jackman as wolverine😂😂 that man is a theater kid!

Lewis Simmonds

Luke! you should also watch Les Miserables! Hugh Jackman starts in that too and its incredible!!

GreekReactsGR

The greatest showman is one of the movie I have seen I don't even know how many times and can still watch it us many time and not get tiered I love the music and have it in my playlist and is one of my favorite movies usually I am not a fun of musicals but this is an exception and Sweeney Todd also

GreekReactsGR

There was a vote on the YouTube channel the greatest showman came seconds after encanto i think it was and Hamilton was third so next reaction will probably be this so don't worry

m

For some reason I never see the polls on yt but yay

Rachael

I saw Hugh Jackman's solo show back in 2019 at the Hollywood Bowl. He is not only a great performer but an excellent story teller! I was so blessed to be surprised by the one and only Keala Settle (Lettie, the bearded lady) who came out and sang "This is Me" with Hugh and the orchestra. A truly amazing moment! Keala is also a Broadway performer who has starred in several shows.

SHDW Replayz

You have to watch the first take of "This is me" please it's the best

Luna Moonfrost

Hi Luke. Since you like the movie, i recommend for you to check out the first studio recording of „this is me“. Its a otherworldly beautyful performance in my opinion. Here‘s the link: https://youtu.be/CiVnG_Phy7c?si=d1jLumtGZu6UwPge Much love from Switzerland, love your videos

Unfixedsj

Still hoping you get to see RRR on one of these polls.

ImagineFruit

I believe that Hugh Jackman was a theatrical and musical performer before acting for films, so this movies right up into his alley.

Izzy

I get that him leaving for the tour isn't great but as someone who is a child of immigrants and has seen the discrimination and know what my parents and grandparents went through. I can definitely say people who come from nothing will work and sacrifice so much to give their kids what they didn't have themselves. As a parent now I know that must have been so hard for them missing out on certain moments coz they did back to back hours while getting their degrees. But I am so proud of the life they built

Jroyce93

all of this is citation needed but if i remember correctly the song Never Enough that you loved so much was sung by an uncredited singer in the movie not by the lady who appears on screen. the real singers name is Loren Allred who revealed herself later on Britains got Talent as she sang the song again for the judges. you would probably love to react to the audition.

Shadow_284

Seemed to be a lot of stream hiccups for this vid. Still a great reaction though! And I guess you don't know, but before Wolverine, Hugh Jackman's background was broadway and theater. So yes, he's a very good singer and dancer. :P

Nikkelz

Keep an eye on the community tab section or join the discord as we also announce when they're live.

Nikkelz

The movies are currently in the "patreon slot" but they're not the official replacement. its TBD on what Luke plans to do for the next series. You're correct though catchups are the YT slot which now double drops saturday.

Nikkelz

Currently the movies hes putting up to vote are all within the musical category

Caroline Vitanza

WOW I've been waiting for this one!! It's my fave! A quick suggestion: for these musical films, I HIGHLY recommend that you start doing intros recorded after the fact. It adds a significant amount of time to the Patreon stream when you stop at each song and do a whole YouTube reaction, so I think it would be helpful for everyone to be recording those intros separately so that you can just appreciate the film as a whole and the songs as they fit into it. Love ya!

utafoxy

hugh started his career as a theatre actor, and you might like le miserable s he stars in that to

Frentzy

he'll do them this year 100%. he kept saying that since end of 2025 that 2026 will finish dr stone , spy family and konosuba

DRACO

Missed an Opportunity on picking Cosmic Princess Kaguya which was kind of musical movie. But excited to see this movie or watch it the first time with you.

wheatus 80

1:54:20 First ever comment but omg there was genuine rage in Luke's reaction right here and that is why I love this man. cause he is just a guy who exists and shows his genuine reaction to everything and we all shared the same feelings at this moment.

Leah B

Zendaya did most of her own stunts for this film.

Leah B

Never Enough wasn’t sung by the actress, but by Loren Allred.

jwitn

how'd you like it?

Godzy Lasserre

Well, DREAMGIRLS sounds like a good place to start

Kassh

Was sooooo hoping you would watch this amazing movie tha k you for watching

Mark G

I also think recording the intro would be better done separately for youtube. Starting and stopping the movie so much kind of takes you out of it. As you can see many musical movies only play snippets of some songs so that just makes it even more of a challenge. Love your reactions though!

aleayarae_9794

Yea I wasn't sure if it was just me. It buffered so much and would cut and jump times all throughout

aleayarae_9794

Agreed—I feel that deeply. It’s also about his desire to belong and to be seen as worthy by society. Of course, it’s not the same, but as a Black woman in America, there’s often a feeling of never being enough. So you pour everything into perfecting your craft, to the point where those who once looked down on you no longer can because of what you’ve achieved. Of course he would rather be present with his kids all the time, but his focus is on working—on getting to a place where he knows his children will never have to go through what he did. That ties back to what Jenny Lind was saying about privilege: those with money and status often don’t understand this drive because they’ve always belonged. They’ve never had to question their worth or their place in society. It’s just normal to them. That’s very different from being on the outside, watching how far wealth and privilege can carry someone in this world. Sorry for the long comment, but loved the video as always. I highly recommend doing Wicked and of course Dreamgirls.

Ronald Wayne Hext

Loved 'The Greatest Showman'! I've watched , and sang along, more times than I can remember. So HAPPY to share your first time watching this amazing film! I'm sure it will become one of your favorites as well. ed. I love how you think each new song you hear is the best (after hearing Come Alive). You haven't got to From Now On yet and don't realize... every song is a banger. Not all songs from The Greatest Showman soundtrack charted on the Billboard Hot 100, although the album itself was a massive #1 hit on the Billboard 200. Only four songs—"This Is Me," "Rewrite the Stars," "Never Enough," and "The Greatest Show"—debuted on the Hot 100. Other songs like "A Million Dreams," "Come Alive," "The Other Side," and "From Now On" peaked on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart rather than the main Hot 100.

Shadow_284

If you want another great musical with catchy songs and choreography that goes WAY harder than it has any right to, you should check out Spirited on Apple TV. Though, that might have to wait till Christmas time. It's a version of A Christmas Carol with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell.

DRACO

The Greatest Reactor watching The Greatest Showman. I love the concept of you fully watched thru the movie and making those intros for the youtube reaction too. A Truly Uncut Reactions! Love to see it immediately here.

Emma Floyd

When this movie came out a lot of the songs did hit the charts- but This Is Me is the big standout. It was used in MULTIPLE ads. The musical is now being adapted to the stage and will be on Broadway soon!

Spidergirls Mama

Great reaction! I think you would really enjoy "Shrek the Musical" as well!! When you do "Hamilton " make sure to have captions on!

DRACO

I was shocked how I was familiar with 4 songs in this show/movie and I just watched it today with you Luke. The 4 songs that I know are: A million Dream, Never Enough, This is Me, and Rewrite the stars. I cannot believe how beautiful the movie is and how they execute it well. An instant 9/10 movie for me right off the bat.

DRACO

For this movie? I think it's inspiring and amazing energy throughout the movie. It moved me so much and has an impact for me by watching it. Never seen anything like it. Because I usually don't watch musical music because that's an instant no for me but this movie is an exception because I heard the name but never gotten the chance to watch it throughly. But luckily Luke watching it so I have to watch it and see the reaction at the same time. I'm surprised that I knew 4 songs in this movie or familiar with it by hearing it. Which was Million Dreams, Never Enough, This is me, and Rewrite the stars. Never Enough was so moving just by the voice and the message in it. I cannot believe the voice that she had. It made me tear up deeply and burst out crying instantly.

Lynn Cook

The writers of the songs for this movie are Benj Pasek & Justin Paul and they are the same writers for the music in the Broadway show, Dear Evan Hansen. That was an amazing show and they made it into a movie, which was admittedly not as amazing as the Broadway version, but it’s definitely worth watching for the incredible music and story. I vote that that gets added to your list of musicals to watch.

Jace Dulohery

as a follow up to this movie, I gotta recommend the video of Keala Settle doing the first run of "This is Me." It's raw and beautiful! The whole ensemble sings and creates a wonderful atmosphere. Cynthia Erivo is even in there!

Lynn Cook

here’s a list I threw together of some modern musical movies that I’ve enjoyed over the years in case you’re looking for more suggestions: The color purple in the Heights (this was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Broadway show) rocketman (Elton John musical biopic) tick tick boom (directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda) dear Evan Hansen (same music writers from the greatest showman) The new West side story by Spielberg la La Land spirited (Christmas movie) into the woods waitress the musical les Misérables (also stars Hugh Jackman) The producers with Matthew Broderick, and Nathan Lane The last five years

Dorran

First of all, I'm so glad that you got to enjoy this movie. I honestly don't care how... true to the historic P. T. Barnum it was, it was just _amazing_ and beautiful. A lot of the songs really connected with me and... a lot of what I try to do with bringing joy into people's lives, however I can. Now, personally, as beautiful as Never Enough is, I... am very uncomfortable with it and Jenny Lynn. For me, Never Enough is functionally a villain song. That lure of insatiability... and the fact that Jenny was happy to ruin Barnum because she read far more into his actions... is just very unsettling for me. She knew full well that he was married, and had two daughters, and she had the _audacity_ to think that she was more important than all of that... and then get offended when she took her shot on her own assumption, and was (appropriately) turned down... no. Barunm may have had his faults, but Jenny... she's a villain who feigns virtue by donating most of what she earns from her shows.

Charlotte

Hugh Jackman is a big musical singer/actor, you need to see Les Misérables !

dartcp

Finally, The Greatest Shonen! Finally, he's starting with One Piece, Kappa! ^^

Drizma

1:50:10 I'd say that's only half true. Yes, there will always be people that don't like you, but the belief that "You shouldn't be afraid to 'be you'" isn't always good. Many people today use that belief to justify self destructive behaviors, and to avoid the effort it would take to fix objectively negative traits and impulses.

Yase_04

Yessss one of my absolute favorites

dartcp

Your act is to be very emotional :)

Drizma

Have you seen Epic yet? Guarantee you'll love it! Its technically a music concept album, but there's tons of animatics, so you can watch it like a movie (although it'd probably be closer to a series). Just be careful you don't use one of the "movie" compilations. They're old and disjointed. I can recommend a playlist if you're interested!

The Royal Court of Princess Donut

As much as I love this movie there’s a caveat that P.T. Barnum was not a good person in real life and exploited a lot of people with disabilities. It doesn’t ruin the movie for me but I like to keep in mind that this is a very romanticized version of what the real man was like. I tend to do the same thing whenever I listen/watch Hamilton even though it’s one of my favorite musicals of all time.

Izzy

Absolutely spot on about the privilege comment. Most people don't even realise that not being able to relate is a privilege in its self but I'm so looking forward to Dream girls and Hamilton

Magia Books

As a heads up, Hamilton is 100% music. There are no talking gaps. Just think you should know as you cover

Yase_04

Funfact: In "to the other side" the bartender is their choreographer

madison alexander

They definitely took their time with these songs ❤️

Audrey Gianelli

Hugh Jackman comes from musical stage, made a lot of shows included at Broadway and just finish one last year. He also presented the Tony awards (more than once if I remember ), the awards show that reward the broadway stages and make a lot of love numbers. Amazing too see ♥️♥️♥️

Krowft

I was thinking exactly about the privilege line during that scene. What if you're a soldier with children who has to go oversees? Or you're poor and an oversees job is the only way to put food on your children's table? Luke is a good guy but he's sitting on a position where if he wants he never* has to leave his house and children to keep working and pay their bills. It's often hard to see when you're acting from a perspective of privilege, and I don't nececesarily believe indulging in privilege is necessarily bad, everyone does it when they attain it, but it's not realistic to me to call someone shitty because they "left their children" when it's part of their job.. Now, I understand that PT didn't have to do the tour with Lynd, but from his perspective that is the next big venture he needs to further improve his business. It's not like we should expect Luke to say "don't subscribe anymore guys, because my channel/job is big enough for me and my children now", he would do the sensible thing and keep expanding. If he was invited by Ado to do a tour in Japan without his family for a week, with the chance to meet all the big names in japan and greatly boost his channel, could he confidently say he would say no? And would it be right to call him bad if he goes and one of his children had some perfomance that week? As I say, Luke is a good person, I'm not saying he isn't, but I think that scene is more nuanced that just "PT is being bad here".

Krowft

As a quick example, he started the video saying that his wife was angry with him because they had had this movie on their list of one to watch together, but the job demands that he instead watches it with us. It's a small thing, I wouldn't judge his character on that, but he clearly shows that he's also willing to sacrifice a good experience with his family for the sake of his job, which is in turn for the sake of providing for his family.

MechaZao

this movie is all bangers start to finish. Rewrite the Stars is one of my favorite songs ever.

TheKnightwatchOfficial

This may not be entirely Luke's fault, but I was researching, and it might be his rather crappy internet that causes the hiccups when he uploads and Patreon just keeps them. I can't fault him for it. It's purely Patreon. And his crappy internet. But that's just what I gathered from doing research.

Wonderxfull

I loved your reaction omg. I also cried several times. These songs are so great I played these songs for about a month after I first watched it lol. Also, I am so very excited for Hamilton... next week?!? Yes its pretty much only songs the whole show with about quadruple what we saw here.

Yuki_Xain

I'm only a few minutes into this and I am so so excited. I *love* this movie, so much. I can't say enough amazing things about it and the cast. You've got to watch the videos of them performing the songs to get them green lit. It's so emotional and the story of how this movie happened is just...ugh! And Keala Settle? My god. She's got her own song called "Harder" that is an absolute emotional punch but it's so so good.

Yuki_Xain

It's SO good, and you get a little backstory about her part in the movie. She also has a solo song called Harder that she sang during Hugh's The Man The Show tour.

Yuki_Xain

Shrek the Musical is vastly underrated, in my opinion. One of the first actual musicals I ever watched.

Spidergirls Mama

Agreed! The music is fire and the comedy is great!

ImagineFruit

Yeah, I hope it won't happened when he upload these on youtube later..

Sakura Minamino

It is set in New England which is the Northeast in the US which is why it looks so English to you. That portion of the country is the oldest and has a lot of European architecture. They also have the rehearsal of This is Me online where the main singer sings it for the first time in front of a panel and you can see how scared she is and gains confidence as the song goes on. There is also the song that was pitched From Now On on youtube as well. Hugh Jackman was not supposed to sing because he just had surgery around his nose, but he got so into the song, he did the whole thing anyway, where his nose started to bleed and kept going. Both are worth seeing.

Eva

I feel like Zach Efron is basically the creative director for his circus when they partner up LOL

Stacia Kilpatrick

When you do Hamilton I recommend having subtitles on!

Jennifer Cash

YES! Les Mis!!! But he will be an emotional wreck 🤣

Kadda

I love the movie, and I loved watching it again with you! It was such a great reaction video. Maybe your best one, at least in my opinion. Thank you for that. I think this film-musical-Disney journey is really wonderful!

RobiePAX

I second this. Hamilton lyrics are insanely well written. So many inter-connections between songs, double meanings, foreshadowing that you understand only after watching it a second time. Right in the GOT Games alley who loves to analyse songs :D Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is a GOAT, and he plays... Hamilton.

Kirléo

If you seem ro recognize some songs it's because they did 2 albums with 2 versions of the Musics : - the original ones - and the covers from renowned artists like Panic at the disco, Pink, James Arthur... The song "never enough" is also use in America's got talent and the singer also came to the show. She also sings a song from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, there's a first take of it if you want to react to it

Dennis Lauenburger

Please, please watch "Les Misérables." Also with Hugh Jackman. And he sings even better there. Just like Russell Crowe!!! Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, and everyone else sings fantastically.

John Shoemaker

I love this show for sure 100%. But it really is a huge fantasy. I just wish it was a little more of how bad Barnum really was. He didn’t really treat these people that great.

Momo Minomo

Since you loved the music in this so much I highly recommend you watch the interview/recording of when they were trying to get the show greenlit by the studio. The woman who plays Letti (the bearded lady) was afraid of being center stage during her big solo song This Is Me and during all the rehersals never came out from behind her music stand until that last day, when they were performing for the execs. She decided to be brave and the energy and emotion in the song and in the room just exploded. It leaves me in tears everytime I watch it. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-e8ZJBzw8Y&t=3s

Nicki Bolton

Wicked Part 1 and For Good please!

Jordan Kisling

other musicals I would recommend since you mentioned Hamilton already being on your list. Les Miserables (also with Hugh Jackman and many others), Newsies (Christian Bale and Bill Pullman to name a few), 1776 (an older musical but really good), and for some really good oldies White Christmas (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye), Brigadoon (Gene Kelly), On The Town (Gene Kelly, Fred Astair). For some female led musicals I would suggest Some Like It Hot (Marilyn Monroe), Gentleman Prefer Blondes (Marily Monroe) and Calamity Jane (Doris Day).

Ashleigh

Hugh Jackman has a very strong musical theatre background. He actually really established his career in musical theatre in Australia in the 90’s before landing a career in movies. Wolverine was the role that really broke him into the movie scene and made him a household name around the world.

Laura W.

I'd never seen this before. Absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing!

Annamarie schwirian

Too me this is one of the best musicals out there. I can honestly relate to so many songs. I would add a couple of suggestions to your movie musical watches! Les Miserables, In too the woods, and one few have heard of Anna and the Apocalypse. I think all of them have messages you would enjoy.

Ashleigh

This performance never fails to leave me in absolute awe every time I see it. Such an incredible talent!

Japania

Yes!!! Please!!!!

Siilan

This is only a biopic in the loosest sense. P.T. Barnum was a vile man who used disadvantaged people for his own gain. I see this movie, which I adore, as more of a "what if Barnum but wholesome?" alternate reality. If you remove any knowledge of the real person it was based on, it's a fantastic movie.

Eric

I was also going to mention this. 46 songs, sung through. I'm not sure if individual breaks for doing a YT intro for every song is going to be the best way to go. I'm definitely looking forward to the reaction though, as I've probably watched Hamilton 100+ times at this point....

itsleaa

I’m not sure if anyone has comment this yet but the voice behind Never Enough is from Loren Allred c: She has such an amazing and underrated voice imo. if you want to see her performance on Britain’s Got Talent, here’s the link: https://youtu.be/oTw8AECmUNA?si=nJuD6WZ8plsMNCZ0 She also has a First Take if you want to see that as well. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/BOrkykfMQa4?si=gUrkk8BaYO409bS9 You might've saw these already though, im not sure lmao. I just wanted to let you know just in case you want to watch them. I honestly hope soon she’ll get more recognition c:

Andreas

It‘s really very special!

astricalex

Just forced Skid and Rose to watch this with me since they said they had never seen it! 100% one of the best musical films EVER!!

ruffboiMags

“We’ve got CHOREO? I never thought I’d see Hugh Jackman doing this.” Hilariously he’s actually an extremely well-renowned stage actor, specifically in musicals! Wolverine was actually the role that anyone who knew him up to that point would’ve said “I never thought I’d see Hugh Jackman doing this” about, back in the day. :)

ruffboiMags

Yeah precisely. PT Barnum in real life was a dispicable vile person who deeply took advantage of the people he presented in his show. All my homies hate real life PT Barnum. But this musical uses the CONCEPT of PT Barnum to tell what I think is a fantastic story about self-acceptance, acceptance of others, and how taking risks is all well and good but don’t take them at the cost of losing the good things you already have. Plus, ngl, I do find the concept of “they’re laughing anyway, might as well make them pay for the pleasure” to be a certain kind of freeing. Because sure maybe they’re laughing, but you may as well be the one to walk away with their freely-given money if you can swing it. It’s an imperfect solution for an imperfect world, sorta.

ruffboiMags

“That sounded like Zendaya for a second” It’s moments like this that make me love watching your reactions, Luke, I can’t wait for the realization moment to hit because I know you’ll be so damn enthusiastic about it :D

vmcgriff

PT Barnum was the man who started the circus. This movie is a loose version of his origin story. Lot of ups and downs in his life,. But such a great story and movie!

ruffboiMags

Oooo ok so if you like Zac Efron you should 100% watch Hairspray (2007). He filmed that shortly after the first High School Musical, which did not include his singing voice for Troy. (The HSM sequels did have him performing Troy’s songs, but the songs in the original film with the exception of a couple of lines transitioning into/out of a couple songs were performed by Drew Sweeney.) Hairspray was his first step into actually singing and he’s absolutely fabulous in it. If you do watch it tho, it’s very very important to remember that the context of the story is 1960s america during the civil rights movement and segregation starting to end in some aspects of life like education, but hadn’t ended everywhere, and so there are some things that were very accurate to the time period and even progressive that feels VERY weird in the modern day. A+ film tho, I think you’d enjoy it.

sunlit commodity

This movie really does bring me to tears it's so emotional I want to call my little sister but it's 1am 😂 maybe this time it should wait for tomorrow (or? This morning?)

ruffboiMags

This song was also one of the like. Interstitial songs in that year’s Britain’s Got Talent, iirc, so if BGT was ever on that season around him, he may’ve heard it a lot.

ruffboiMags

In the most ambivalent defense of Philip initially dropping Anne’s hand when his parents saw him at Jenny’s show, this was during a time when slavery was still legal in the southern united states, prior to the civil war, and a large number of states actually had laws on the books forbidding interracial marriages/relationships. What his father said does have some basis in reality - his reputation in the upper circles of society could perhaps survive being associated with Barnum’s circus, but if it was known he was courting/stepping out with/etc a black woman, that could legitimately destroy his reputation, and his reputation and connections were a very large part of why he was brought on to the circus as a partner to begin with. The fact that the second time he actually said something is not nothing by a long shot. And Anne has a very good point too - they’d never get any peace, as a couple. People would stare, people would talk, people would LAUGH, and people may even attack them just for being together. And it would be far more dangerous and pervasive for her as a black woman than it would be for him as an upper-class white man. This film does play a little fast and loose with historical accuracy on a LOT of fronts, but I think that him TRYING to apologize for the incident at Jenny Lind’s show by taking her to the theater speaks to the fact that he realized it was shitty to drop her hand, even if it was more of an instinctive reaction to his parents’ disapproval than anything, and that he doesn’t care about what other people think. The problem is that she HAS to care about what other people think, because if she’s not careful she could be in a lot of danger.

AruPaw

1:28:47 The moment when Luke and Hugh Jackman make the same surprised face haha

ruffboiMags

From Now On from that performance was also really special, since Hugh had literally just had surgery on his throat and wasn’t supposed to sing, and another singer had performed all of Barnum’s singing parts up to that point, but he KILLED it. Aaaand then had to go to the doctor after because he strained his throat worse than he was supposed to XD

ruffboiMags

I honestly just wish it wasn’t about Barnum explicitly, just a character that somewhat resembles what people might imagine Barnum was like, because that would step around the issues of how this film makes him into an ultimately-good and largely sympathetic character who loses his way but finds it again, rather than just being an absolute piece of shit. :/

ruffboiMags

if by “loose” you mean “well he did have a museum that included a so-called ‘freak show’ that burned down”. Awful man, absolutely despicable man.

ruffboiMags

You’re not naive about the Jenny situation, at least as far as I’m concerned. Jenny acted poorly. She read his excitement as attraction, and when she realized she was wrong she lashed out in an extremely inappropriate way. He perhaps allowed more closeness than he should’ve (they should not have been alone in a train car for her to be able to fall asleep on his shoulder, for example), but he did not do the wrong thing in stepping back from her, and she 100% did the wrong thing kissing him on stage and then quitting the tour.

ruffboiMags

I think it was meant to be a bit of helping to promote, essentially, since he was able to sell tickets even to an unentertaining play, and also to invest financially to a degree (in return for a percentage of the profits) and to potentially bring in other investors through his social and business connections. It very much BECAME a proper showman’s apprentice sort of situation, but I don’t think that was the initial reason Barnum reached out to him.

ruffboiMags

Ok last comment I promise: I will never be over the very final shots, of Barnum at his daughters’ dance performance, singing “it’s everything you ever want, it’s everything you ever need, it’s here right in front of you”… from a song called “the greatest show”. Watching his girls is to him, FINALLY, the greatest show.

LetMos

sobbing like I haven't already watched this movie loads of times - I truly recommend (and would love your reaction) to the Greatest Showman Featurette on youtube where each actor performs in a room for producers to get the movie greenlit - I PROMISE YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED

Resticon

Close, Magnus, it was actually a skin cancer he had removed from his nose and his stitches tore out from singing. And as much as I originally loved that one, the more I learned about it, the nastier that one got. it's hard seeing Jeremy Jordan's face in the video looking like he is about to cry as Hugh Jackman takes the biggest and best payoff of one of the TWO characters Jeremy had just dutifully performed all day (He was actually the original cast for Phil Carlisle so he sang BOTH roles that day) in order to save the film. And then he never got even a single credit because Hugh pitched the role of Phil to Zac Efron right in front of Jeremy and has never even mentioned his name once in any interview. I also get a bit annoyed during it because Cynthia Erivo is belting so loudly during it that she disrupts the performance repeatedly. She has a killer voice and her belt is incredible but in that video it doesn't fit with the rest of the group at all. And then they cast Zendaya for her role anyway because she had a scheduling conflict. The "This is Me" Greenlight video is way more in line with the sentiment of the film as helping to uplift someone who felt they were small. "From Now On" is much darker and felt way more like an ego boost for Hugh.

Laydee Lozza

Highly recommend you watching the greenlight interviews and songs. Like what they went through to get the movie greenlit. It is AMAZING.

Ashley Pearson

It’s been mentioned a few times here in the comments but it really is a must! Please watch the 2 videos that were behind the scenes, you won’t regret it!

Kelcey Peterson

Hugh Jackman and the other creators of the film changed a lot about p.t. Barnum. But pt Barnum wrote many different drafts of his autobiography that it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. The creators of the film just said they felt pt Barnum would have liked how he was shown.

Kelcey Peterson

the song writers for this film won an award for lala land, which came out before this film, but was written after this

Inez

Yes!! Hairspray is a must!

Chris

Hugh Jackman spent a lot of time on the stage back in the day, I remember seeing him as the lead in Oklahoma. I wish I could look half as good in the ringmasters outfit and him and Zak do.

Michelle B aka qadara77

You said, "That sounded like Zendaya for a moment" It is indeed Zendaya :)

tyconj

Gonna add my voice to all the people saying you should watch the 2 videos from when they were getting the movie greenlit.

Kenneth Hoerz

"The Nobelist Art is that of making others happy." Luke, I think that is what you always have perused. ❤️

Emma Schultz

I remember going to see this movie in theaters. We brought my dad (who dislikes musicals) we both went back to the theater 3 more times to see this movie! We loved it and and still love it so much!

Ameth

Have you not watched Les Mis???! Gotta put that on the list if you like seeing Hugh Jackman sing!

Jeffrey Jones

This movie made me cry so hard. Even now when I listen to the song they hold such value to my life especially and a masculine gay man. Thank you for your reaction… I didn’t cry alone this time 🥹🫶🏾🙏🏾

Ken Passfield

ok so in actuality the 'Relationship' with Jenny Lind NEVER happened, Jenny was Swedish and didn't actually speak English, they were never close enough for anything to actually happen.

Ken Passfield

Also there are a couple of smaller vids you NEED to see, they both come from the period that got The Greatest Showman Greenlit, the first is Keeala Seetle (The Bearded Lady) sing This is Me for the first time https://youtu.be/i-e8ZJBzw8Y?si=BSxhKWfPhE5hZ72G The other is from Jeremy Jordan, 'The Day I Saved The Greatest Showman' this is Jeremy performing a 'Caberet' style show where he recounts his involvement with getting The Greatest Showman Greenlit https://youtu.be/08AGzOmCk-s?si=bUHpWAKueufrKU6l

Ken Passfield

looking forward to your upcoming shows and in particular cannot wait for your reaction to the full production of Hamilton

Siilan

Holy shit, your story about goodnight routines sparked a long-forgotten memory. My parents and I had one when I was a kid. We'd say, "Goodnight. Love you (too). See you in the morning. Sweet dreams." with them going first and me repeating what they said after each phrase. Fuck, I kinda miss that. I hope I remember that and pass it on to any of my future kids.

Robert giles

this movie is up there with my favourites with reel steel, it hurts the heart but fills it up with inspiration

Amy Williams

I've been subscribed and watching you for a long time. You falling in love with Taylor made me fall in love with you. I joined Patreon today for this specific reaction, and it DID NOT disappoint! Can't wait for Hamilton!!! Thank you for being so vulnerable.

Mikayla

Quickly realizing “oh no, Luke’s not gonna be able to survive this”

Mikayla

And you reallyyyy need to see Les Mis!

Chiara

You should watch Les Miserable if you liked how well Wolverine can sing 😀

Kimmy C

The singer who sang Never Enough is Loren Allred. You should definitely see her live performance of the song.

Kimmy C

Movie musicals to add to your list Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors, Les Mis, Chicago

Katy Rawlins

I loved watching your reaction to this! Just the greatest movie

Celina Haas

Now that you’ve seen the movie, you need to react to the behind the scenes rehearsals for From Now On and This is Me. They always make me cry!

Boglárka Tóth

Same for me. I just joined Patreon but I've been following on youtube since the first Taylor reaction.

Legiblestew

I second this both videos are sooo cool to watch. Especially Jeremy Jordan's video! You've already heard Jeremy before as Lucifer in Hazbin Hotel, which is a little funny he did end up getting the ring leader role after all with Lucifer.

Stina A

Perhaps a bit too strange, but a reaction of Annette (2021) would have been super interesting.

Roy Ashton

I joined your Patreon a few days ago specifically to watch this reaction, I've been watching your YouTube for a few months (year?) since FMA:B. I absolutely second the opinion of Celina Haas to watch the green lighting sessions for this movie, specifically for This Is Me and From Now On as you can see some true emotion in the room for both clips. To build on your musical film reactions, I'd recommend Les Mis (for more Huge Jacked-Man), Better Man (which was directed by the same director as The Greatest Showman), Elvis, Rocketman, Sing 1 & 2, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, and Rent.

Jae Right

I don’t know how it will play, because the songs aren’t complete, BUT since you are into Missy, and have done some Pharrell, Clipse, and of course, Kendrick, I would love for you to react to Piece by Piece, Pharrell’s life story, as told through Legos. You’d love it, and it will fill in some hip hop gaps.

Elizabeth Owens

The best $1.50 that I ever spent, was to your Patreon, so I could watch your reaction to this whole movie! Somehow I KNEW that it would resonate with you, in the same way that it does with me. The story is captivating.... ALL of the music is incredible... and the acting is top tier! Thank you for an amazing reaction! You are so appreciated!

Nikki Ray

I just had to join your Patreon to see you watch this, I knew you would love it! This is one of my all time favorite movies, I watched it 3 times in theaters because the sound was so good. To answer some of your questions: - The story is based on true events but the reality was much darker than the movie depicted. I always like to think that this movie is an alternate reality of what happened because I love the movie but PT Barnum in real life was an absolute asshole (you hit the nail on the head about the people being taken advantage of). - Hugh Jackman actually got his acting start doing musical theatre. He really can sing, dance, and act. - Young PT’s singing voice was dubbed by another amazing young singer, the actor was lip singing. - “Never Enough” was sung by Lauren Allred, not the actor on screen. Rebecca Ferguson (the actor) can sing, but she felt like she couldn’t do the actual opera singer justice. - When they were pitching this movie to producers, Hugh Jackman had just had surgery on his nose and was told that he couldn’t sing the songs during the pitch. During the last song (From Now On), he couldn’t stop himself and ended up belting out the song with everybody else, causing him to rip several stitches in the process (there’s a video on YouTube that I would highly recommend that shows the emotion the whole cast had before production even began). - The Barnum and Bailey circus recently restarted in 2023, after a break in 2017 (we all thought it was gone for good). The movies name comes from its nickname : “The Greatest Show on Earth”.

Ria Thrift

I posted on your YouTube video for Rewrite the Stars, but OMGGGGGG!!! My husband and I looooved your reaction. He isn't usually super into watching the reaction videos I enjoy (movies/shows), but he put down his project multiple times and sat back in his chair and just... watched with me. Rewrite the stars was the only one he actually prepped for (set everything down and sat back before that scene even started), but he ended up tuning in for quite a few moments throughout!! <3 He was engaged enough he wanted to see your reaction to one of our favorites.

Drucifer93

I'm pretty sure there were a few videos put out from the Behind the Scenes showing clips from them rehearsing these songs in a music room

Shella Mariz Buico

I’ve been absolutely loving your reaction videos, Epic: The Musical, especially. The moment I saw your reaction to “The Greatest Show,” I subscribed to your Patreon instantly. I’ve never done that so fast! Thank you for making it affordable. Your reactions hit me so deeply, and I’m so happy you’re reacting to this movie, every song and every emotion had me in tears every time I watch it. I hope you react to the behind-the-scenes too!

Matthew Shields

There’s a version of this soundtrack where all the songs are covered by pop stars. You should check that out.

Liv H

Hugh Jackson *started* in musical theater!! Crazy that he became Wolverine to catapult him to fame

rational art

this is the first patreon ive ever subscribed to but it was soo worth it honestly its so fun watching your reactions to things!

Nico D. Dragon

I signed up for this reaction. So worth it. I hope you enjoyed it again with your wife. By the way have you seen/reacted to Mulan?

Shawn Elliott

This is the third time I am watching through your reaction to this movie and I just learned that there are behind the scenes videos of the cast trying to get the movie greenlit that are absolutely wonderful to watch. There is one about Hugh Jackman and one about Kaela Settle. If you wanted to watch them I would absolutely love to see your reaction. They both brought me to tears.

Jeniann Kaelin

@01:23:19 - EXACTLY why we are here. Loads of love to you and your family Luke….

Bekah Lynes Paradise

To echo what others have said, you absolutely MUST watch the 2 greenlight workshop videos. From Now On and This is Me. I watched them for the first time ok the train to work and was sobbing!

Leigh-Sherri Hays

If you do do some real movies.. like not musicals.. Interstellar is number one. Then all or any Christopher Nolan films. Then Fight Club and Pulp Fiction then any and all Quentin Tarantino films im here for it. Also Frozen 1 and 2.. im sure they're coming lol 🤩

Leigh-Sherri Hays

Its actually kinda funny/ironic they were able to make a good wholesome movie based on PT Barnum who notably is not the most wholesome as an actual person.

caroline negrin

Keala Settle (the Bearded Lady) was also in original casts for various shows including Waitress

Hugabug008

One of my favorite musicals is "Come From Away" an I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance to watch it. I think you would really enjoy it. The only place I've seen it available to view though is Apple tv. It's like Hamilton in that it is a pro-shoot of a stage show but unlike Hamilton it is not 100% sung through and there are some scenes in between.

Karman Wilmot

I LOVE this movie 🥰(Barnem definitely upset me though 😤). My favorite song in it is "This is me". It's helped me in my darkest times(sang it while crying a lot). I have mental and physical disabilities, I've always been made fun of since elementary. My teeth alone scared kids and made them cry. So I stopped smiling. I'm Native American and I was proud of it, but then I started getting racism every time I told someone or shared my culture. So I never made friends, some teachers mistreated me and even abused me, I struggled doing anything in life. When I became a adult and was finally hired(with the help of Disabled vocational Rehabilitation), they quickly started giving less and less hours no matter how hard I worked....they hired me to say "LOOK, OUR COMPANY IS INCLUSIVE!"... just to let me go because I'm a liability to them(some places didn't even give me a chance as soon as they realized I had disabilities or worked with D.V.R.). Now I live off of government money, because no one likes a broken unnatractive person. I want to make my own art business that hires people like me, but it takes a lot of money to do so. So, I hope one day, maybe decades from now...that I can make my dream come true. Create a place for people who feel like an outcast, where they can make money and feel at ease being themselves 😊. Everyone deserves to feel loved, wanted, and at ease.

KJ

This is the reaction that got me to subscribe here.... I love this, it is a stunning movie. 👍

KJ

And Wicked! Her role was too small there....

Dawn Stafford

Hugh Jackman CAN sing?...may be the most underrated statement I have heard in a long time. Please, please watch Les Miserables. He, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne will break your heart with the story and music. It is an absolutely breathtaking movie.

Dawn Stafford

If you want the cover versions of this music, look no farther than Panic at the Disco, or Pink, amongst others. It made a phenomenal impact.

Dawn Stafford

Loren Aldred...no more...no less. She is THE voice behind the actress. And what a shame she did not perform as herself. She definitely has everything that it takes.

Cameron Menges

Not Hugh Jackmans first musical. He did oklahoma a long time ago

Alexia 🫶🏻

PLEASE React to the two songs they recorded during the reading of the script to get the show green lit; so soooooo good From Now On, and This is Me

Meg Jones

Hello Luke. Your reactions to the songs from this movie on Youtube led to me subscribe to your Patreon to see the entire reaction to the movie. It is a superb movie with superb songs. Thanks for the reactions. Looking forward more.

turner husak family

I got patreon just so I could see your full reaction to this movie it is worth it

turner husak family

Hugh Jackman also does les miserables he is Jean Val Jean

Angela Pierre

I got patreon to see your whole reaction to this movie, and I can’t wait for you to react to RRR!!! It also qualifies as a musical.

EverDream

Oh yes, this is a must!

Vicki

The songwriting talent of Pasek & Paul is outstanding. This soundrack is one of my favourites and as soon as I walked out of the cinema after seeing this movie I purchased the soundtrack on Apple music. I'm a Zumba Instructor and I use This Is Me as a cooldown/stretch track at the end of my class. It has such a powerful message and the class members love it. You should also check out the videos of This Is Me and From Now On that were filmed when they were trying to get the show greenlit (the formal, final approval by studio execs or financial backers to fund it allowing it to move from development to production). No sets or costumes, just sitting round the table doing a read through of the script and singing the musical numbers as they come along. Pasek & Paul wrote the music for another show called Dear Evan Hansen which is another amazing musical soundtrack. It was originally a stage musical but was made into a movie so you may want to check that out as part of your musical movies journey. Be warned though, it covers sensitive subjects but is beautifully done.

Zolfried

and now you need to read up what the real barnum did.. and maybe even do a react on that :p

Lisa Spodak

It feels like every time I find a new person's reactions to musicals, I join their Patreon and then beg them to watch Come From Away. ;)

Dan Cook

calling this movie a biopic is incredibly dubious. Don't get me wrong, incredible movie and one of my favourites but the most accurate part of it is that there is a character called P.T Barnum.

Pearl XoXoP

Luke if you liked the greatest show man, I recommend you check out the little prince too!!

Hridayinee

Oh Luke you've now watched one of my fave movies!! I know you'll love it and I'll love watching it with you. Please PLEASE when you watch movies pls make the movie the bigger portion of the screen and yourself the smaller portion.. like other popular reactors do.

Hridayinee

You're act is shouting out"This is the Best!" Then making us all laugh, smile and cry along with you 😆🥲🤣

Sam w

unrelated, but I've seen several of your musical reactions, and I would KILL to see you watch Epic: the Musical! It's a musical version of the Odyssey, written by one guy, cast on tiktok/social media, performed by a wide cast of random people who all can SING, and then animated by fans! It's so so so so so good, you would absolutely laugh, cry, yell at the screen...

Jordie W

He has! I’m not sure if it’s on his Patreon, but they’re all on YouTube to watch! His Epic reactions are the reason I started watching his channel in the first place 😅

BB

I would sell a kidney to have you watch Rocky Horror Picture Show! Also available on Disney Plus!

BB

I can already hear him going "what am I watching?!" hahah

Sean Patrick Owen

I was just going to study if he like Hugh Jackman in this he really needs to watch Les Mis

Martijn Veldman

You have to react to Dear Evan Hanson, it’s from the same makers and realy beautiful! I think you will love it! I realy like your video’s by the way!❤️

Patty Krause-Davis

You need to see the movies Wicked (Act 1 of the broadway show) and Wicked For Good (Act II of the broadway show)

xoxo.Adunni

“I think that’s zendaya” as you’re staring right at zendaya😂

B3thbakes

Can we please watch Les Miserable 🙏🙏🙏🙏

B3thbakes

Depending on the skill level.. ballet shoes have a wooden block in the tip

B3thbakes

Please please please do Les Miserable 🙏🙏 I am commenting this again 2 hours into this, last time was just as it started.. and fun fact.. Les Miserable, the singing was shot/recorded live.. on set.. while acting.. the BTS on Les Miserable is amazing 👏🤩😍

B3thbakes

This song.. 2:08:10.. this is the one that gets me 😢😢 she just loves him soo much.. she just wanted to be by his side. No matter what 😢😢

B3thbakes

He didnt show romantic interest in her.. but he did leave his family to persuade her career with her.. so its a little mixed messages I guess could be argued, but I think she was always wanting more from him, I think she thought he would go for her and she was surprised he said no..

B3thbakes

Still sad for her now she kissed him on purpose in front of cameras?

B3thbakes

Dont worry, im here ugly crying with you 😢😢 and ive seen this countless times

B3thbakes

I 2nd, 3rd and 4th this!!! Its my favourite movie of all time!!!! 😍😍

B3thbakes

Definitely this ^^^

B3thbakes

Its the reimagined album I believe, and definitely recommend!

BB

Right?! I think he'd have so much fun and so would we!

Christine Browne

The irony of "something real". That character was one of the few main characters who had someone else doing the singing.

Kiaraphoenix

Great reaction! Hope you do more musical movies. Original Broadway of Wicked would be cool. Or Phantom of the Opera with Gerard Butler.

Scott Way

Please do Kinky Boots.

Hanh Le

because the actress herself admitted she could not sing as well as the sample and asked the crew to keep it. you make it sound like she did something bad

Christine Browne

Nope, just that I know Luke pays attention to these things, and was being wowed by the other actors' voices. It's not "bad". Actually fairly common.

Kelsea Mai

I used to work at a school campsite and on weekends we sometimes had non school related camps. One of my favourite camps we had was a camp for amputees. Everyone there had a limb missing or more. No matter if they were born with it or newly amputated. And the whole time they were on camp they were celebrating their differences and proving just cause they weren’t like everyone else, they could do everything anyone else could do. They rock climbed with only one leg, they canoed with a missed arm. We had one guy with no arms do archery with his feet! Was always the happiest camp and SO inspiring and humbling! They had a themed dinner and the year this movie came out, they all came dressed as the characters and all sung “This Is Me” with such enthusiasm and power! Every time I hear this song, I now think of that camp.

Sarah Blum

I'm SO glad you enjoyed this movie! Yes that's really Hugh singing, he had a musical theatre background before he got into acting. This is one of my comfort movies ♥ I really think you'd enjoy Chicago and Burlesque! More great musicals with impactful stories. I look forward to your Wicked For Good reaction soon! I definitely think subscribing to you was totally worth it! I cried with you the whole time lol.

Sarah Blum

Yes because Barnum kind of led her on, she fell in love with him.

Arketh Adrcn

Why are people so moved by Never Enough? Why do they treat it with such joy and praise? It is a sad, pathetic, song of greed and discontent, mixed with contempt. When I hear this song my heart breaks with sorrow for the wickedness in which this song is rooted.

David Calderon

I've noticed you like movies or content with a deep meaning that teaches you something, and I'd really like you to watch a movie that I think you'll really enjoy. It's called The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, a 2013 film that teaches you a lesson as important as it is simple: "live your life." I think you might like it a lot.

Tre

You might have heard the song “never enough” before when the actual singer that is behind the voice went on AGT and sang it live. It’s such a beautiful song and the actress does a great job portraying it but she is not the actual voice you hear. The voice you hear that is moving you to such emotion is the beautiful vocal artist and singer Loren Allred 💕

Feysand Daughter

Ohhh, I just knew you were going to love this movie, you’re the perfect person to appreciate this kind of content with sensitivity and empathy, and that’s why you’re my favorite person to watch react to it. This is also my all-time favorite movie; I saw it a few months after it came out, nine years ago, and it was a time when I was feeling really insecure about my body and a few other things, so this movie found me, and I had never seen anything so beautiful, with such a powerful and healing message. It’s been my safe place ever since, and although I later discovered that P.T. Barnum’s reality hadn’t been so incredible and that much of his exploitation had been romanticized, the reality is that manipulation is implicit in the film, and I think the production and direction did an exquisite job of capturing that while also capturing the collateral beauty of finding brightness in the midst of darkness; because we saw the number of people who suffered because of his greed, but we see the power of hope in the midst of it all, making its way into hearts that needed a voice and found one; for whatever reasons, they were able to find a family, a few people who would accept and love them just as they were. Hope is powerful; I believe in it. I believe in the power of knowing that, no matter what happens, you must have hope that fate will always lead you where you need to be, with whom you need to be—even if the path is painful—because there are moments that are worth it, and there are people out there waiting for you too, people who will be worth it all.

Feysand Daughter

By the way, I’m so glad you made this reaction video, but I wanted to point out a couple of things—not that I mean for them to sound like complaints, in fact, I thought they were hilarious because the same thing happened to me—and the thing is, there’s soooo much going on in the movie all at once that it’s hard to take it all in the first time around. Here’s something I didn’t notice the first, like, ten times I watched the movie. In the song “Never Enough,” there’s a single line that, if you miss it, the entire meaning of the song is lost; in the pre-chorus, she sings: “cause Darling without you…” and then continues with the chorus: “All the shine of a thousand spotlights, All the stars we steal from the night sky, Will never be enough” By the pre-chorus, we’re all already breathless because that woman’s magical voice (by the way, the actress isn’t the one singing—the voice belongs to the magnificent Loren Allred) is simply majestic, so it’s easy to miss that moment, and later in the song it isn’t repeated, but that’s where the song’s message lies. It isn’t a song about the ambition to have more and more each time; it’s a love song, the purest of loves; it’s a declaration of a love so deep that it asserts that not even the highest of glories, nor holding the world in one’s own hands, could ever be enough if the person he loves—the one who lit the flame of hope in his life, the one who has driven and supported him in every decision—isn’t there. If you look at the beginning, she’s singing about someone who is savoring the best of moments with another person, and he asks that person to hold his hand and share that with him, because without her, that moment—or any other, no matter how exalted—could never fill the void left by the absence of his beloved. And that is where the song’s deep sadness lies, because you’d expect Barnum to be looking at his wife at that moment, but we see that she is looking at him, her face shifting from admiration to concern and pain because he isn’t looking at her—and there wasn’t even jealousy; I think Charity always trusted Barnum with her life. she knew he wasn’t looking at Jenny with love or any romantic interest; her sadness stemmed from witnessing that the man she was in love with was missing the point of it all, that even as he was hearing the song, he wasn’t listening to it—Barnum was too busy admiring the new gem that would take him to the top of the world, and he was missing the fact that HIS world was already right there with him. It seems to me that the entire construction of the scene is an absolute work of art, crafted so that with every passing second, we feel increasingly uncomfortable with what we’re seeing—even though we’re hearing something beautiful. It’s bittersweet, but also all too realistic; and it doesn’t just happen in this song; we also see it in Zac and Zendaya’s song, only in reverse—we see a scene of longing perfectly portrayed in the choreography while the song is an internal battle between their two hearts. There is a lot of symbolism in this movie, many parallels (like the moment at the beginning of “Come Alive” when he tells Letie that the crowd doesn’t know it yet but that they’re going to love her, and then says exactly the same thing about Jenny right after slamming the door in Letie’s face before she starts singing “This Is Me”), which turns into a real roller coaster of emotions. That’s why I think this movie is so well-made—perfectly crafted. It never fails to make me cry and take my breath away, no matter how many times I watch it, and that’s what makes a film so special.

Kirstin Bularzik

One of my favorite movies, so glad I found your reactions