Starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Jo Ellen Pellman, and Nicole Kidman
Directed by Ryan Murphy
Music by Matthew Skylar; Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Our next Pride Month musical is based on a real-life incident. In 2010, a lesbian teenage girl was banned from attending her prom with her girlfriend at a school in Mississippi. They did let her attend a separate prom, while local parents held another for the other children. Celebrities eventually rallied around her cause so the kids could attend a prom with everyone. Though the Broadway show wasn't a hit in 2018, a film version was announced in 2019. Despite interference from the pandemic, it still managed to make it out to Netflix and a few theaters in December 2020. Does it deserve its time to shine, or should it remain in the closet? Let's begin as the PTA of Edgewater, Indiana make a momentous decision about their prom and find out...
The Story: Mrs. Greene (Kerry Washington), the head of the PTA, announces that prom is canceled due to lesbian student Emma (Pellman) wanting to attend with her girlfriend. Narcissistic Broadway stars Dee Dee Allen (Streep) and Barry Glickman (Corden) pick up the story on social media and decide to champion Emma's cause to make them seem more charitable. They're joined by Angie Dickinson (Kidman), who just quit the chorus line of Chicago after 20 years, and former sitcom star turned stage actor Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannelis).
They burst into Edgewater and immediately attempt to shove Emma's story in the spotlight. All Emma wants is a chance to enjoy dancing with her sweetheart Alyssa (Ariana DeBoise), but Alyssa fears upsetting her mother Mrs. Greene. Emma's also constantly being bullied by the straight teens in the school who blame her for losing their prom. She does have sympathetic principal Tom Hawkins (Keegan-Michael Kay), a huge fan of Dee Dee's, in her corner.
When the PTA creates a separate prom for her and leaves her out anyway, Dee Dee and the others think the best way is to get Emma on a big TV show. Emma, however, has her own way of showing how important being who you are is...and finds a way to connect with people young and old and prove there's nothing wrong with being yourself, no matter what yourself is.
The Song and Dance: This movie is so corny, it manages to flip all the way around to being weirdly cool. Streep has an absolute ball as the stage star who learns that the whole world doesn't revolve around her, while DeBose beautifully handles her role as the "perfect" daughter who loves her girlfriend, but can't bring herself to disappoint her mother. Critics came down hard on Corden because he's not really gay and plays the role of Barry as a stereotype, but I think he's fine and the problem is more the script than his performance. Rannellis is a riot as the good-natured actor who finds his calling teaching teens about the wonders of theater. The candy-colored production makes the rainbow look pale, with its glittering, feather-and-spangle costumes nicely contrasting with its more realistic Indiana sets.
Favorite Number: We open with "Changing Lives," as we see the Eleanor Roosevelt musical Dee Dee and Barry starred in that bombed on Broadway, and how they and their friends decide to champion Emma's cause. "Just Breathe" says Emma as she's constantly ridiculed at school for being different and causing the prom to be canceled. "It's Not About Me" Dee Dee claims to the PTA when she and her friends barge into the PTA meeting...but of course, they manage to make it about them anyway. All Emma wants to do is "Dance With You" as she and Alyssa dream of their prom.
"You Happened" says all of the kids as they give their significant others their "prom-posals," including Emma and Alyssa. "We Look to You" Tom admits to Dee Dee as he explains why he loves her and musical theater. Everyone says "Tonight Belongs to You" as they prepare for the prom...until poor Emma realizes that her prom is separate from everyone else's. Angie encourages Emma to show some "Zazz" and stand up for herself. Dee Dee claims "The Lady's Improving" after Tom comes down on her for using Emma as a comeback vehicle. "Alyssa Greene" explains to her girlfriend why it's so hard to be the perfect girl her controlling mother wants to see.
Trent and the touring cast of Godspell finally get through to Emma's tormentors by reminding them to "Love Thy Neighbor," and that using the Bible as an excuse for their poor treatment of Emma denies their own hypocrisy and teen rebellion. Barry's delighted when Emma invites him to the inclusive prom with her, as "Barry Is Going to Prom." Emma's truly touching "Unruly Heart" reaches gay teens across races and sexualities as she encourages them to come out and be what they are. After she's finished, there's not a dry eye online. Even I shed a few tears. The entire cast ends at that inclusive prom, because "It's Time to Dance." Mrs. Greene joins the other ladies over the credits for "Wear Your Crown," while Barry ends with "Simply Love."
Trivia: Alas, in real life, the inspiration for Emma didn't get her inclusive prom. She ended up suing the school, receiving scholarship money and $35,000 in damages.
The Broadway stage show didn't do so well, either. Despite some good reviews, it barely lasted nine months in New York and didn't recoup its investment. It did tour, and it's now available for regional productions.
What I Don't Like: At times, the movie comes off as bombastic as the character actors at its core. And they really shouldn't be the ones at its core. The story is really about Emma and should focus more on her, Alyssa, and the kids. Other than her one number "Zazz," Kidman doesn't really have much to do. Pellman tries too hard to hide her feelings, smiling in scenes like "Just Breathe" where she should be anything but happy.
The Big Finale: This might have been too bombastic for Broadway, but it's a total hoot on Netflix. If you want to check out a big shiny happy Broadway show with a modern bent or are a fan of Streep or Corden, you'll want to give this prom another chance to shine.
Home Media: At press time, this is a Netflix exclusive.
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