Dear Evan Hansen

                

                  I'm generally not a fan of Broadway musicals that are made into films. Somehow bursting into song works great on stage but hardly ever works on film ( "Chicago" was an exception for me). This particular show was great on stage. The staging, special effects, use of video all enhanced the story. On film, we lose all of the stage magic and are left with another angst filled teenage weeper that at its heart is rather cruel but masked in celebration of dealing with mental health issues, loss and acceptance.

                 Much has been said of Ben Platt being too old now to play the teenage Evan Hansen. Having seen the show with Mr. Platt, I can't imagine anyone else in the role. He IS Evan Hansen. I can forgive he appears older than everyone else in school. He is amazing in a complicated role. The film also stars Julianne Moore as his mom and she does a terrific job in a secondary role. Amy Adams, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Colton Ryan, Danny Pino, and Nik Dodani all co-star as other parents and students. Ms. Dever is very well cast and even has a decent singing voice. Ms. Adams, while a fine actress is fairly pedestrian here as a grieving mom.  Ms. Stenberg, an attractive young actress is excellent and has a bright career ahead of her.

                 Director Stephen Chbosky does a fine job staging the musical numbers but again, they work much better in a theater than on film.  He stretches out the story longer than necessary and definitely could have spent more time in the editing room but it is a faithful recreation of the play. Minus the theatrical magic, the film does give the masses that can't make it to Broadway, a chance to experience the story but I think anyone who has seen the show will agree, the emotional impact is lost on film.