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Phantom on his mind
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Posted on Feb 21 2005
“Damn, damn, damn, damn. I’ve grown accustomed to your face.” That’s a wonderful line from “My Fair Lady.” Lerner & Lowe have been praised for their genius, not only for the Broadway musical, but the screenplay as well. It is one of those wonderful movies we watch over and over again.
“The Phantom” took a beating from your reviewer, and from my perspective, not only did he miss the genius of Andrew Lloyd Weber, he missed the cultural impact this movie could have had on the populace of Saipan. Folks, as a general rule, don’t go to “D” rated films.
This was not a “D” movie. This was an “A+” movie. The music is melodious and haunting. The staging was exquisite, the costumes brilliant, the story as well done as the Broadway production, and possibly easier to follow.
Every junior high student, and beyond, should have availed themselves of the opportunity to witness, and enjoy, the miracle of “Phantom.” If only your reviewer had grasped the extraordinary genius of this movie, this story, this production. Damn, damn, damn, damn!
Alan Stuart Markoff
Chalan Kiya
Editor’s Note: In a message to the editor, Joe Weindl says, “What people don’t realize is that a film critic has almost zero impact on the box office sales of a movie. Advertising and word-of-mouth are the only things that really have an impact, with a critical review meaning almost nothing. Case in point—I gave Are We There Yet? An F. It’s been here a month. I gave The Aviator a B+. It lasted one week.
Most people read reviews strictly for the entertainment factor; it gives them one more thing to talk about around the water cooler. But they don’t listen to us, and for good reason, when you think about it. My opinion is just that—opinion, and most people are smart enough to understand that. Anyway, at least it’s good to know that people are reading it.
