The Greatest Showman: A Myth Wrapped in a Myth
The film transforms the story of a notorious con artist into a Disney-esque fairy tale, complete with charming, noble heroes and idealistic princesses.
From a young age, Phineas Taylor Barnum possessed an extraordinary talent for captivating people with his outlandish ideas, vibrant dreams, and unconventional ambitions. In pursuit of a livelihood, he dabbled in various ventures before settling on one: establishing a circus in an abandoned New York museum, which he named after himself. Under the magical big top, Phineas gathered acrobats, strongmen, the obese, albinos, a bearded woman, and Siamese twins, offering a window into the world for those previously shunned. However, his relentless pursuit of fame and success nearly leads to disaster when Barnum forgets those who supported him and for whom he built his circus empire.
The real Barnum’s circus operated until mid-2017, closing due to plummeting attendance and animal rights protests.
Hollywood’s Whitewashing of History
It’s naive to believe that embellishing real facts or outright fabrication in films “based on true events” is solely a domestic invention. Our glamorous Vikings, basketball players who dunk from above at the Olympics, or the legendary 28 Panfilov heroes are mere blemishes compared to what Hollywood has made of Phineas Taylor Barnum, one of the 19th century’s greatest con artists. He laid the foundation for the colorful but utterly fake skyscraper of show business we see today. Michael Gracey’s “The Greatest Showman,” starring Hugh Jackman, bears no resemblance to the real Barnum, save for a few coincidental details – therein lies the film’s central mystification.
The Film’s Saving Graces
Before condemning the film for its inaccuracies, let’s acknowledge its merits. Jackman, dancing and singing in a top hat, is undeniably excellent, especially considering his portrayal of a broken-down man in “Logan” the previous year. In “The Greatest Showman,” Hugh seems to shed a decade, surprising us with his energy and charisma. The musical numbers are brilliantly staged. While it’s a musical with subtitled songs, it doesn’t pose a significant problem – the lyrics are accessible to any schoolchild, allowing time to grasp the meaning and appreciate the choreography. Finally, the screenwriters managed to transform Barnum’s dubious biography into a fairy tale about dreams, love, freedom, and equality. Given the recent grand deal, it’s safe to say that Fox delivered a decent Disney-esque experience.
A Sugar-Coated Narrative
Moreover, the authors and actors crafted a didactic, albeit Hollywood-style straightforward and naive, tale from the unappealing story of the “showman’s” scams. The protagonist gathers freaks and oddities of all kinds under his circus tent, convincing them that each is beautiful in their own way. His strange performers flourish, bringing the owner immense profits, and embrace him after Barnum suddenly pursues impressing American high society with a European opera diva’s tour. The audience is also treated to a beautiful love story – Phineas courts Charity from childhood, saves up for her, and invests all his income in his home and two adorable daughters, one of whom aspires to be a ballerina. A role model, indeed!
The Real Phineas Barnum
Now, let’s consult official sources and examine the real Phineas Barnum. This character deserved a different film and certainly didn’t warrant being played by the thoroughly positive Jackman. Barnum lived by lies, fraud, and deception, extracting money from his viewers, partners, and creditors by any means necessary. The film mentions a couple of “schemes,” such as obtaining a loan with non-existent collateral and falsifying circus performers’ data, but these are minor compared to what the real “showman” did. He had no qualms about passing off an 80-year-old woman as Washington’s 160-year-old nanny, selling a potion that turned black people white, or displaying a huge tuna with a monkey’s head sewn on, convincing viewers they were seeing a mermaid.
Despite lengthy preparation for the role and Rebecca Ferguson’s efforts, who played singer Jenny Lind, the actress had to be dubbed – her singing didn’t sound like the voice of the greatest diva of her time. Viewers hear the voice of singer Loren Allred in the film.
Lies and Deceit
This man had no boundaries, no morals or obligations. He repeatedly deceived partners, fooled the state, and openly profited from his artists. He didn’t do it for his beloved wife and daughters – the real Barnum was married twice and had four children. The touching kiss scene in the film is another deception. The film tells the story of a different character, enthusiastically and even convincingly, but it’s essential to understand that “The Greatest Showman” bears no relation to reality.
“There’s a sucker born every minute” – this rather crude phrase is attributed to Barnum. “The Greatest Showman” cleverly exploited people’s ignorance, naivety, and curiosity, readily resorting to forgery and supporting the public’s basest interests. To some extent, we can now consider ourselves “suckers.” We bought into the colorful posters and energetic trailer, but the film we received was not the one that should have been made about Phineas Barnum. And 140 years after his death, this con artist continues to empty the pockets of viewers eager for lavish shows.