The Greatest Showman Review: 5 Ups & 4 Downs

Downs...

4. The Plot Feels Pretty Rushed

Though it's pretty common for musicals to feature fairly thin narratives in service of the music above all else, The Greatest Showman's plot feels especially like an afterthought.

Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon's script rushes through the set-up without ever really explaining why P.T. Barnum is so interested in the world of the bizarre, and before you know it he's quickly recruited a band of misfits to help him put on a show.

It doesn't take the time to actually let events breathe, and during the few talky moments you can sense director Michael Gracey itchy to move onto the next showy set-piece.

Ultimately it feels like the plot's basically just going through the motions, and how prepared you are to accept that will largely depend on your appreciation for the music.