screenings when the movie came out in Germany on the 4th of January. It combines a true, unusual biography with Golden Globe nominated music, great actors and an emotional message. More than enough reasons to dedicate a

We were really looking forward to "The Greatest Showman". That's why we went to one of the first

Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum (Hugh Jackman) grows up under poor circumstances. After his father dies, the young boy is struggling. Years later he marries his wealthy childhood friend Charity Hallett (Michelle Williams) despite his low social class. The pair has two daughters (Austyn Johnson, Cameron Seely). While Charity is happy with her simple life, P.T. wants more. He tricks his bank into granting him a credit and buys a museum with peculiar artifacts. The ticket sales are very low, so he hires living curiosities like a bearded lady (Keala Settle), a little man (Sam Humphrey) and two African-American trapeze artists (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Zendaya). The circus becomes a big hit and internationally known thanks to Barnum's new partner Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron). However P.T. doesn't plan to please the common folk anymore, he wants to be accepted by the upper class. But his curious circus crew doesn't fit in this view of the world.

Same here. I only watched the trailer once and was pleasantly surprised. It lingered in my memory and excited my curiosity.

Laura: Same here. I only watched the trailer once and was pleasantly surprised. It lingered in my memory and excited my curiosity.

Katrin: I saw the "Greatest Showman" trailer a few times before other movies at the theater and instantly knew I had to watch it. I'm usually not captivated by trailers, but this one gave me goosebumps and I immediately downloaded the touching, powerful song "This Is Me" after the first time.

To what extent did "The Greatest Showman" touch you?

P.T. Barnum in his element: The spotlight Photo: 20th Century Fox Laura: The movie tells about making your dreams come true despite all obstacles. That's moving, but the story about the outcasts who are abandoned by society due to them being different is even more touching. They find strength and stability in each other which helps them to keep fighting. The movie really carried me along thanks to the great songs and the good actors.



Katrin: It's about different people trying to find their place in the world. Even though the story is set in a colorful glitz world, there are a lot of broken parts behind the curtains. Most viewers have been at a point in life where they felt lonely and misunderstood - it's very easy to relate to the characters' pains and worries. I especially liked how most problems were not called by their names. They're just there and the viewer has to realize them.



The movie tells about making your dreams come true despite all obstacles. That's moving, but the story about the outcasts who are abandoned by society due to them being different is even more touching. They find strength and stability in each other which helps them to keep fighting. The movie really carried me along thanks to the great songs and the good actors.

The narrative is about exclusion, discrimination and racism among other things. Does the movie find a good approach to these topics?

Katrin: Racism is one of the problems which are not called by their names. The African-American trapeze artists Anne and W.D. Wheeler tell Barnum that it would cause him trouble if he hired them. Later Phillip's parents and others look down at him after he goes out with Anne. Yet no one actually says what they don't like about Anne. I really like the movie's approach here. Keeping dead quiet in combination with exclusion feels way more oppressive than hate speech. It really pierces the heart to see the broken look in the characters' eyes after they realize what is happening. That doesn't only apply to Anne and W.D., but also to all the other artists who stand out from the crowd due to their origin or physical features.



Laura: Katrin's example is really great to show how the movie handles those topics. It brings the viewer closer to the characters and their problems on an emotional level. There are many who are casted out by society due to different reasons and confronted with hate or violence. It's great how the actors manage to make the ir character's feelings tangible. This makes the topics more substantial without clearly labeling them. I thought it was easy to understand and relate to the characters' pain, grief, anger and disappointment.





"The Greatest Showman" was nominated for three Golden Globes. Justified?

Fingers crossed for the awards season! Photo: 20th Century Fox Katrin: Yes and no. The movie is great and really deserves its nominations for "Best Movie - Musical or Comedy" and "Best Original Song", even though I fear it will come back empty-handed due to strong competition. Hugh Jackman's nomination as "Best Actor - Musical or Comedy" is not justified in my opinion. He's convincing in his role, but didn't knock me off my feet. Other "The Greatest Showman" actors like Zendaya or Keala Settle deserve the recognition of their performance more.





Laura: The movie touched and entertained me till the very end while addressing important topics and being profound. The actors' performance has a great impact on providing the viewer insight into the character's feelings. I thought Hugh Jackman was convincing, but there were a lot of really good performers. Zendaya was one of my favorites too. Additionally there are amazing songs which the actors showcase perfectly. That's why the movie deserves all its nominations in my opinion.





So you think the nomination for "Best Original Song" is justified. How did you like the rest of the soundtrack?

Laura: The songs support the movie's atmosphere perfectly. Especially the first two tunes and "This Is Me" are lingering in my memory. I really liked how some songs were sung multiple times throughout "The Greatest Showman" - like Charity's and P.T.'s song which is performed by their kids later.



Katrin: I thought the solos weren't catchy enough and had too much dialogue. Apart from that I really liked the music, especially the group numbers, because they're incredibly infectious and powerful. The previously mentioned "This Is Me" as well as "The Greatest Show", "Rewrite The Stars" and "From Now On" are amazing. Though I have to admit that I skip the latter's ballad part sung by Hugh Jackman and only play the rock-pop "We will come back home" chorus performed by the ensemble. The group's vitality is displayed through the music and arouses the desire to sing, dance and simply be happy. That's what an amazing soundtrack should do.





Which scene did you like the least?

Charity is really sympathetic no matter what Photo: 20th Century Fox Laura: Charity's and P.T.'s reconciliation at the ocean. I thought it was way too cheesy and simple. His fall and their separation was heavily dramatized and then his wife forgives him in a matter of seconds. The only thing he had to do was show up at her doorstep and say two sentences.



Katrin: Right, the reconciliation was silly and out of place. I also didn't like the exaggerated final sequence in the circus. Elephants, lions, flying artists... I didn't know where to look. Sadly this distracted from the peculiar people who were supposed to be the center of attention. reconciliation was silly and out of place. I also didn't like the exaggerated final sequence in the circus. Elephants, lions, flying artists... I didn't know where to look. Sadly this distracted from the peculiar people who were supposed to be the center of attention.





Which scene did you like best?

Laura: The one where Barnum rejects the artists and they start to sing "This Is Me". The song and the characters are boiling over with emotions. I really can't imagine someone not being thrilled by it. All the feelings are tangible - on one hand the pain, but also their strength to keep going and refuse to hide. That was portrayed beautifully - I had goose bumps all over.



Katrin: The scene in which the circus building is going up in smoke was amazing. Admittedly the fire looks pretty fake, but the actors even that out with their fantastic performance. The despair, fear and hopelessness in their eyes looks so real - as if they would actually watch their home burn. Especially Zendaya and Cameron Seely moved me in this scene. I also really enjoyed the first minutes of the movie - the visual acoustic transition from Barnum's dream to his reality is great!





What would you have changed about the story?

Phillip leaves his social class for Anne Photo: 20th Century Fox Katrin: In the second half of the movie I would have concentrated more on the curious artists and less on P.T. Barnum, because for me they represent the victory of humanity and acceptance. Most of them weren't even introduced by name. In addition I would have shown the viewer in what timeframe the movie is set. Barnum's quick rise and quick fall would have been way more impressive if it would have been clear if it happenend during a few months or a few years. In the second half of the movie I would have concentrated more on the curious artists and less on P.T. Barnum, because for me they represent the victory of humanity and acceptance. Most of them weren't even introduced by name. In addition I would have shown the viewer in what timeframe the movie is set. Barnum's quick rise and quick fall would have been way more impressive if it would have been clear if it happenend during a few months or a few years.





Laura: I agree with Katrin's first point. I would've focused less on Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson) and instead given the circus artists more screen time, because I wanted to know more about their background. But this is whining at a high standard, because I really liked the story.





Last, but not least: Would you watch a sequel of "The Greatest Showman"?

Katrin: Probably not. The movie was stunning, but I doubt a second part would have the same effect.





Laura: I agree. The movie would need something entirely different in comparison to "The Greatest Showman" in order to appeal to me and I think that's difficult.

Have you seen "The Greatest Showman" yet? What would have been your answers? Tell us in the comments.



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