When it comes to proshots of concerts and Broadway musicals, there are two primary approaches: documentary or immersion. Well, that is until Merrily We Roll Along director Maria Friedman’s new film of Stephen Sondheim’s iconic show, which takes a third, arguably more exciting perspective — shooting it in a way that is so cinematic that it barely feels like you are watching a stage show.
What is Merrily We Roll Along about?
If you’re not already familiar with Merrily We Roll Along, Stephen Sondheim’s musical follows a Broadway composer and his two best friends as their relationship deteriorates over decades. However, the thing that makes Sondheim’s musical most notable is the fact that the story is told in reverse chronological order — a divisive decision that has been both condemned as a gimmick and praised as a bold and brave approach to storytelling.
DANIEL RADCLIFFE as Charley Kringas, JONATHAN GROFF as Franklin Shepard, LINDSAY MENDEZ as Mary Flynn in ‘Merrily We Roll Along.’ Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Merrily We Roll Along Review
Frankly, you don’t need this review to tell you how good of a show Merrily We Roll Along is. There’s a reason there have been so many iterations of this show since its premiere over four decades ago, many of which have been acclaimed and won awards (including the revival seen in this film). And if you need any more evidence than that, Richard Linklater is making an actual adaptation using the same decades-long filming approach he used for Boyhood.
The biggest draw of this version of Merrily We Roll Along is its cast, which includes Hamilton alum Jonathan Groff and Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, both of whom won Tony Awards for their performances here. It will come as no surprise that both of them are fantastic here, giving nuanced turns that show a great deal of both emotional and vocal range.
JONATHAN GROFF as Franklin Shepard, KRYSTAL JOY BROWN as Gussie Carnegiein ‘Merrily We Roll Along.’ Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
JONATHAN GROFF as Franklin Shepard in ‘Merrily We Roll Along.’ Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
JONATHAN GROFF as Franklin Shepard in ‘Merrily We Roll Along.’ Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
However, the shocker of this rendition of Merrily We Roll Along is that it is neither of the Tony-winning actors who shines the brightest, but their co-star, Lindsay Mendez, who was merely nominated for her performance. It feels like her lesser recognition for the role is a matter of bias for the more “Hollywood famous” male actors, as she brings more nuance to her role than either of them, with arguably just as much of a stage (and, by extension, screen) presence.
What is really impressive about Maria Friedman’s direction of Merrily We Roll Along is that she seems to actually know what to do with the unorthodox structure of the show. Regardless of the fact that the film’s directors are often the stage directors, capturing the unique energy of an atypical show is often one of the biggest challenges to a transition from stage to screen — even Thomas Kail’s Hamilton movie came up short in this department. The transitions between different time periods in reverse chronological order could have been a hitch to the film’s success, but Friedman does a great job of stepping up to this challenge.
DANIEL RADCLIFFE as Charley Kringas in ‘Merrily We Roll Along.’ Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Beyond that, Merrily We Roll Along stands out as one of the most cinematic protapes not directed by Martin Scorsese or Spike Lee. Friedman isn’t merely interested in documenting the stage show — she is interested in immersing the audience in the experience of Sondheim’s iconic work. There are many more close-ups and much more rapid editing than you will see in a lot of protape versions of Broadway shows, resulting in a final product that actually feels like a movie, not just a recording.
Is Merrily We Roll Along worth watching?
Of course, if you actively dislike Merrily We Roll Along, the film is unlikely to change your mind. However, for those who are already fans, as well as those who aren’t initiated into the world of Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece, Maria Friedman’s protape is sure to be an engaging, cinematic experience worth a trip out to your nearest multiplex.
Merrily We Roll Along is now playing in theaters.
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