This movie has very many different themes which are all showcased throughout. It's a flawed movie, but aren't they all?
1. When young Charity and P.T. Barnum go into the abandoned house down the road from Charity’s parents house
This moment is so special because it portrays them being kids and being so interested in everything around them and also foreshadows that they will live there together when they're older. Then they won't live together, but that's a story for later.
2. The beautifully choreographed dance on the rooftop.
Where P.T. and Charity had a song up on their roof with all their sheets hanging. They have a dance that is very elegant and is portrayed very well. There's a rendition of it later with their two little girls dancing with them.
3. After P.T. hired everyone, at their first show.
Before going out on their first show everyone was scared of what people might think of them. They start to doubt themselves but then Phineas makes them realize to embrace who they are. And the group comes together in a spectacular way to perform a beautiful show.
4. The ‘negotiating’ scene
When P.T. was trying to convince Phillip Carlyle to drop his job and join the circus. Once he finally agreed, they negotiated how much he would be getting paid. This scene is very quick and smooth as the bartender slides glasses across the bar top and it's a very fast-paced and well-performed scene.
5. Jenny Lind’s first performance
Her voice is so smooth and eloquent that it's a joy to just listen to her sing. She has a very good range and it's one of those voices that are simply captivating.
6. ‘This is Me.’
After Jenny performs for the first time, P.T. doesn't let the other members of his circus come join the rick folk for drinks. So they must turn and walk away, and Lettie Lutz (the bearded woman) breaks out into a beautiful song. It talks about embracing oneself and accepting others that are different from yourself.
7. ‘Rewrite the Stars’
This scene between Anne and Phillip is breathtaking. It's right after Anne was looked down upon by Phillip's parents. The song embraces the fact that they're different and Phillip tries to convince Anne that they could be together.
8. ‘From now on’
When the original group comes together and rallies around P.T. after his life has seemingly crumbled. This moment is about his loss; his wife left, he's getting evicted, he has no money, his building burned down and he has nowhere to go. This song shows the moment that he realizes he has never been satisfied and forgot who he started this all for. It's all about the comeback.
9. The final performance
This is so powerful. After knowing all the hardships they went through and they got it together. It makes their performance just that much more enjoyable.
