The Greatest Showman Review: 5 Ups & 4 Downs

3. The Strong Central Performances

With the exception of the aforementioned issue with Rebecca Ferguson's performance, this is an extremely well-cast film, with Hugh Jackman in particular giving a typically charismatic performance, undeniably giving it his all in both the singing and dramatic scenes.

Elsewhere Michelle Williams is much cheerier than usual as Barnum's luminous wife, while Zac Efron is perhaps the film's most interesting character, an alcohol-sodden playwright with clearly deep-rooted personal issues. Efron continues to prove he has much more to offer than mere "hot funny guy" roles, and he's great opposite Jackman.

It would also be remiss not to mention Zendaya as trapeze artist Anne Wheeler, who represents the movie's attempt to engage with the racial politics of the era, and Tony Award winner Keala Settle, who is fantastic as Lettie Lutz aka The Bearded Lady.