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The Prom (film)

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This article is about the Netflix musical film. For the Disney film, see Prom (film).

The Prom
File:ThePromNetflixPoster.jpg
Official release poster
Directed byRyan Murphy
Screenplay by
  • Chad Beguelin
  • Bob Martin
Based on
The Prom
by
  • Chad Beguelin
  • Bob Martin
  • Matthew Sklar
  • an original concept by
  • Jack Viertel
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMatthew Libatique
Edited by
  • Peggy Tachdjian
  • Danielle Wang
Music by
  • Matthew Sklar
Production
company
Ryan Murphy Productions
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • December 4, 2020 (2020-12-04)
Running time
131 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Prom is a 2020 American musical comedy film directed by Ryan Murphy and adapted to the screen by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin, from their and Matthew Sklar's 2018 Broadway musical of the same name. The film stars Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, Kerry Washington, and Jo Ellen Pellman.

The Prom was released in a limited release on December 4, 2020, prior to digital streaming on Netflix on December 11, 2020.[1][2]

Premise

Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep) and Barry Glickman (James Corden) are New York City stage stars with a crisis on their hands: their expensive new Broadway show is a major flop that has suddenly flatlined their careers. Meanwhile, in small-town Indiana, high school student Emma Nolan (Jo Ellen Pellman) is experiencing a very different kind of heartbreak: despite the support of the high school principal Tom Hawkins (Keegan-Michael Key), Mrs. Greene (Kerry Washington) the head of the PTA has banned her from attending the prom with her girlfriend Alyssa (Ariana DeBose) who is Mrs. Greene's daughter. When Dee Dee and Barry decide that Emma's predicament is the perfect cause to help resurrect their public images, they hit the road with Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman) and Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells), another pair of cynical actors looking for a professional lift. But when their self-absorbed celebrity activism unexpectedly backfires, the foursome find their own lives upended as they rally to give Emma a night where she can truly celebrate who she is.

Cast

Musical numbers

The soundtrack was released digitally on December 4, 2020 by Maisie Music, with a physical release scheduled for December 18.

  1. "Changing Lives" – Barry, Dee Dee, Ensemble
  2. "Changing Lives (Reprise)" – Barry, Dee Dee, Trent and Angie
  3. "Just Breathe" – Emma
  4. "It's Not About Me" – Dee Dee, Barry, Trent, Angie, Tom, Mrs. Greene, Ensemble
  5. "Dance with You" – Emma, Alyssa
  6. "The Acceptance Song" – Trent, Ensemble
  7. "You Happened" – Nick, Kevin, Emma, Alyssa, Ensemble
  8. "We Look to You" – Tom
  9. "Tonight Belongs to You" – Barry, Emma, Shelby, Kaylee, Mrs. Greene, Ensemble
  10. "Tonight Belongs to You (Reprise)" – Emma
  11. "Zazz" – Angie, Emma
  12. "The Lady's Improving" – Dee Dee, Ensemble
  13. "Alyssa Greene" – Alyssa
  14. "Love Thy Neighbor" – Trent, Shelby, Kevin, Nick, Kaylee, Ensemble
  15. "Barry Is Going to Prom" – Barry
  16. "Unruly Heart" – Emma, Ensemble
  17. "It's Time to Dance" – Emma, Alyssa, Barry, Dee Dee, Trent, Angie, Tom, Sheldon, Ensemble
  18. "Wear Your Crown" (end credits) – Ariana DeBose, Jo Ellen Pellman, Kerry Washington, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep
  19. "Simply Love" (end credits) – James Corden

Production

The film is based on the same premise as the musical of the same name, that uses music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Bob Martin and Beguelin, based on an original concept by Jack Viertel.[3]

CNN notes the film project is on “theme with Murphy's advocacy for more inclusivity in Hollywood” including his spearheading the 2017 Half Initiative, to “create equal representation for women and minorities behind the camera”.[4] Murphy announced plans for the adaptation during a charity performance of the musical at New York's Longacre Theatre in April 2019.[5][6]

On June 25, 2019, Meryl Streep, James Corden, Andrew Rannells and Nicole Kidman were revealed to be cast as the four leads with Keegan-Michael Key as the school principal and Awkwafina as publicist Ms. Sheldon (a genderswap on Sheldon Saperstein of the stage production).[7][8] Ariana Grande was initially cast as Alyssa Greene, a popular but closeted cheerleader and Emma's girlfriend, but scheduling conflicts with the Sweetener World Tour forced Grande to drop out.[9] Kerry Washington was cast in October, with Ariana DeBose joining in November, replacing Grande in the role of Alyssa. Jo Ellen Pellman was also cast as Emma following a nationwide search.[10][11][12] The project is the first film under Murphy's $300 million deal with Netflix, and fifth overall.[7][13] On January 25, 2020, Awkwafina dropped out of the film due to scheduling conflicts and Kevin Chamberlin was recast as Sheldon Saperstein.[14][15] On June 25, 2020, Tracey Ullman and Mary Kay Place were revealed to star in the film.[16]

Filming commenced on December 11, 2019 in Los Angeles.[17] On March 12, 2020, production was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to this, the leads had wrapped filming, with only two days of second unit filming left, which was initially scheduled to resume in mid-April, but was ultimately delayed to summer.[18][19] Production resumed on July 23, 2020.[20]

Release

The Prom was given a limited theatrical release on December 4, 2020, while also being released digitally on December 11 by Netflix.[1]

Critical reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 67% based on 64 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Through fiery songs and dance breaks, The Prom's bonanza of glitz, glitter, and jazz hands might be enough to whisk audiences away."[21] On Metacritic, the film has an average score of 55 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[22]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film four out of five stars, writing that it is "so goofy that you just have to enjoy it". He went on to praise the musical numbers and the film's message of self-love.[23] Brian Pruitt of USA Today also gave the film four stars out of four, calling it was a "joyous adaptation".[24]

Conversely, Mary Sollosi of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "D" grade calling it "narratively sloppy, emotionally false, visually ugly, morally superior, and at least 15 minutes too long".[25] Jesse Hassenger of The A.V. Club gave the film a "D+" describing it as "all-star, feel-good, zazzy nonsense".[26]

Novelization

The UK and Commonwealth novelization rights of the film, written by Saundra Mitchell, were acquired by Penguin Random House’s editorial and media development director Holly Harris, who did a pre-emptive deal with Creative Artists Agency and William Morris Endeavor.[27]

References

  1. ^ a b Caruso, Nick (September 13, 2020). "The Prom, Ryan Murphy's Netflix Musical, Sets December Premiere Date". TVLine. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  2. ^ Rooney, David (December 1, 2020). "'The Prom': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Bryant, Kenzie (June 13, 2018). "First Look: The Prom Will Bring Gay Teen Romantic Farce to Broadway This Fall". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  4. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (June 25, 2019). "Ryan Murphy adapting 'The Prom' for Netflix with all-star cast". CNN. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  5. ^ Gardner, Chris (April 9, 2019). "Ryan Murphy Sets Movie Adaptation of Broadway Musical 'The Prom' at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  6. ^ Peikert, Mark (April 9, 2019). "Broadway's The Prom to Become Netflix Movie Event". Playbill. ISSN 0551-0678. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Vlessing, Etan (June 25, 2019). "Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman Lead Cast for Ryan Murphy's 'The Prom' Movie at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  8. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (June 25, 2019). "Meryl Streep set to star in Ryan Murphy's all-star adaptation of 'The Prom'". CNN. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  9. ^ Rossignol, Derrick. "Updated: Ariana Grande Will Not Be Involved In Netflix's Musical Adaptation Of 'The Prom'". Uproxx. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  10. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (October 10, 2019). "Kerry Washington Joins Meryl Streep & Nicole Kidman In Ryan Murphy's 'The Prom'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  11. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (November 1, 2019). "'The Prom': Ryan Murphy Netflix Adaptation Adds 'West Side Story' Actress Ariana Debose". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  12. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (November 25, 2019). "'The Prom': Ryan Murphy Sets Newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman For Lead As Netflix Film Adaptation Rounds Out Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Daw, Stephen (June 25, 2019). "Ryan Murphy Casts Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman & More in Netflix's 'The Prom' Adaptation". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  14. ^ "Ryan Murphy Sets Netflix 'Prom' Musical: Streep, Corden, Kidman, Ariana Grande, Awkwafina, Key, Rannells To Star". Deadline. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  15. ^ "The Prom". Production List. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  16. ^ "ACTOR KEVIN CHAMBERLIN CHATS ABOUT BROADWAY, PLAYING BERTRAM ON JESSE ON THE DISNEY CHANNEL AND FILMING THE UPCOMING NETFLIX RYAN MURPHY FILM THE PROM". I Love My Wife Podcast. June 25, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  17. ^ Evans, Chris (December 11, 2019). "Meryl Streep project The Prom begins filming in LA". www.kftv.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  18. ^ Patten, Dominic (March 12, 2020). "Ryan Murphy's 'The Prom' Film Shuts Down Production Over Coronavirus Concerns". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  19. ^ Lawrence, Gregory (April 30, 2020). "Ryan Murphy Says His Netflix Movie 'The Prom' Is Nearly Complete". Collider. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  20. ^ Elise Sandberg, Bryn (July 22, 2020). "Ryan Murphy's 'The Prom' to Restart Production in Los Angeles (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  21. ^ "The Prom (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  22. ^ "The Prom Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  23. ^ Bradshaw, Peter. "The Prom review – is Ryan Murphy's musical the first film of the Biden era?". The Guardian. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  24. ^ Truitt, Brian (December 1, 2020). "Netflix's stellar musical 'The Prom' goes big with Meryl Streep, James Corden and inclusion". USA Today. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  25. ^ Sollosi, Mary (December 1, 2020). "Please, by all means, call off The Prom: Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  26. ^ Hassenger, Jesse (December 1, 2020). "An all-star cast goes to The Prom in Ryan Murphy's insufferable Broadway adaptation". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  27. ^ Eyre, Charlotte (July 9, 2019). "PRH acquires novelisation of Netflix film The Prom | The Bookseller". The Bookseller. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
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