Micheal Gracey's The Greatest Showman production was undoubtedly one of, if not the best, movies of this year. While most people focus on the songs presented in the movie, most fail to look behind the lyrics and meanings of each musical masterpiece. Looking deeper into the background makes the movie a better experience all together, and that much more relevant.
This piece will ultimately be a 3-part series on the grounds of the Odyssey's rough word count per article, as well as the desire to give each scene and song it's glory.
Even though they're all the blessings we didn't know we needed, based on movie scene, here is a list of the best Greatest Showman songs:
1. Never Enough
The first real intimate moment in Phillip and Anne's relationship happens when he grabs her hand during the song, catching her off guard, but pleasantly surprising her. When Phillip's parents notice their PDA, he lets go, and Anne abruptly walks away - their differences aren't enough for him.
On the side of the stage, P.T. Barnum is watching Jenny in awe, completely engaged in what she can do - foreshadowing how his circus persona will never be enough as he tries to climb to the top.
Jenny Lind watches the audience while singing, but turns to Barnum afterwards, representing her crush on the married man, as well as how her fame as an artist will not add up to how much it will mean for him to be hers.
In the audience, Charity Barnum, P.T.'s wife, catches a glimpse of what is happening between Barnum and Lind, and her eyes tell the worry about a potential inappropriate relationship happening - her love and their family together would not be enough for him during this ride.
2. From Now On
P.T. has been selfishly bargaining for his success, and lost perspective of the life he promised not only his wife, but kids.
The scene starts in a bar, which if we recall from earlier, is a place where "shots" are literally and figuratively taken advantage of. Here, P.T. has messed up his shot, and dreadfully regrets his actions by looking at his past.
His crew from the circus shortly joins him during, and remind him they will always look after them, and he promises the same back, but actually means it this time, in comparison to before.
Charity and P.T. reconnect on a beach (where they started in A Million Dreams) to signal another beginning to what they started, but lost for awhile. From that point on, their marriage will be a priority.
Phillip comes out of his coma, where Anne has been patiently waiting for him to wakeup. Their long awaited kiss happens, and the two break the evident barriers that always prevented them from being together. From that moment, they are no longer slaves to society's rules.
3. A Million Dreams
Charity grew up in wealth, while P.T. came from the streets. It all starts by the two sitting on a beach to discuss their futures that seem to be heading in complete opposite directions.
The house they play around in as children holds symbolic meaning for the actually appearance for their love shown to the world, which starts as ruined when it is hidden. When the two grow up and finally make loving each other their own, the house is revamped for them to live and continue their love in.
The lyrics also hold an obvious meaning of the dream of a relationship together that they both want so badly to happen, but their differences put that on hold until they come of age to prove Charity's parents wrong for discriminating against P.T. It also holds the meaning of adolesent dreams, when the whole world seems to be open for grabs.
The song ends with the both of them finally getting to achieve these dreams, and the start of their married life beginning.
Think these scenes were amazing? We're just getting started.
