Dear Evan Hansen: A Disastrous Movie That Misses the Mark

TLDRIn the film Dear Evan Hansen, the miscasting of Ben Platt as the lead character and his exaggerated performance clash with the more grounded performances of the rest of the cast. The film's choices of what to cut, change, and add also contribute to its overall lack of success. Despite Ben Platt's talent, his performance in the film falls short. The film fails to capture the emotional depth and nuance of the original stage production.

Key insights

🎥Ben Platt's casting as the lead character in Dear Evan Hansen is questionable and undermines the film's success.

🎭The exaggerated performance style of Ben Platt clashes with the more grounded performances of the rest of the cast.

🪄The film's choices of what to cut, change, and add result in a lackluster adaptation that fails to capture the emotional depth and nuance of the original stage production.

📝Ben Platt's involvement in the film as both the lead actor and producer raises questions of nepotism and detracts from the overall quality of the production.

🏆Despite its flaws, the film may still have some appeal to fans of the original stage production and those interested in seeing the story brought to the screen.

Q&A

Is Dear Evan Hansen worth watching?

If you're a fan of the original stage production or interested in seeing the story brought to the screen, you may find some value in watching Dear Evan Hansen. However, be prepared for the questionable casting and differences from the stage version.

Why is Ben Platt's casting controversial?

Ben Platt's casting as the lead character in Dear Evan Hansen is viewed as controversial due to his age and the fact that his father produced the film. Many believe that a younger actor, more fitting for the age of the character, would have been a better choice.

Does the film capture the emotional depth of the stage production?

No, the film fails to capture the emotional depth and nuance of the original stage production. The choices of what to cut, change, and add result in a lackluster adaptation that falls short in conveying the emotional impact of the story.

Is the exaggerated performance style of Ben Platt a deliberate choice?

While it's unclear whether the exaggerated performance style of Ben Platt was a deliberate choice, it does not effectively translate to the film medium. It clashes with the more grounded performances of the rest of the cast and takes away from the overall cohesiveness of the film.

Are there any redeeming qualities to the film?

Despite its flaws, Dear Evan Hansen may still have some appeal to fans of the original stage production and those interested in the story. Some may appreciate the effort to bring the musical to the screen, even though it falls short of expectations.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The miscasting of Ben Platt as the lead character undermines the film's success.

06:13Ben Platt's appearance and performance in the film make him look much older than the teenage character he portrays.

09:19His exaggerated acting style, with wild gestures and bug-eyed expressions, clashes with the more grounded performances of the rest of the cast.

19:15The film's choices of what to cut, change, and add result in a lackluster adaptation that fails to capture the emotional depth of the original stage production.

35:45Ben Platt's involvement as both the lead actor and producer raises questions of nepotism and detracts from the overall quality of the production.

50:00Despite its flaws, the film may still have some appeal to fans of the original stage production and those interested in seeing the story brought to the screen.