by A. Faria

Created on: July 13, 2007   Last Updated: July 19, 2011

In recent years, movie musicals have become more mainstream, especially with the popularity of the movies Moulin Rouge. and Chicago. However, a movie that belongs to the genre, and has not gotten its proper due is Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera.

Perhaps you were a fan of the original version, with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. A movie was originally planned all the way back in the late '80s. However, the divorce between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sarah Brightman made the idea of making a movie with the originals not possible.

This is just as well, because the cast for the 2005 adaptation is wonderfully chosen. The breakout performance of this film is Emmy Rossum. Her angelic soprano voice is perfect for the role of Christine. Only sixteen when she made the movie, she reveals superb acting talent in the form of emotional depth - especially considering she had never seen Phantom of the Opera on stage prior to filming the movie. Thus, her rendering of Christine is entirely, uniquely her own.

Another breakout performance is that of Gerard Butler as the mysterious Phantom. Having since earned recognition in movies like 300, Butler was relatively unknown at the time. In order to prepare for this role, Butler underwent months of voice His passionate acting and handsome looks certainly made him noticed!

Other performances that stand out are those of Patrick Wilson, the only member of the cast to have a Broadway background, and Minnie Driver as Carlotta, the opera diva. Wilson gives a heartfelt performance as Christine's lover Raoul, and his voice is very easy to listen to, especially during the duet "All I Ask of You" with Rossum.

Minne Driver has excellent stage presence and is quite funny as Carlotta. Although her operatic voice is dubbed, Driver's real singing voice can be heard on the track "Learn to be Lonely" which appears during the closing credits.

However, the most notable thing about this movie is the extraordinary set designs and costumes, depicting the opulence and grandeur of the opera in late 19th century France. A perfect marriage of set design, costumes, and musical numbers can be found during the "Masquerade" performance.

This is a movie about romance, mystery, and most of all learning to look past physical appearances. It is seductive, mesmerizing, and tragic. At the end of the movie, if you are a fan of musicals and the original, you will feel all of this, and want to see it again and again.

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