Every time I re-watch the "Phantom of the Opera," I am reminded why I love it so much, and why it will forever be the way to my heart. Being a die-hard fan, I have seen it three times on Broadway as well as obviously owning the DVD version. It is on my bucket list to make it over to London's West End and experience it in the Her Majesty's Theatre.
If you are an avid, head-over-heels, completely obsessed fan as I am, then you understand my attraction. If you are not, then you are honestly probably never going to understand. My rant is going to be completely therapeutic for those such of myself who relate to me, and for those who do not, thank you for reading and attempting to understand. I hope you watch it shortly after and fall just as in love as I am.
For starters, there is just no better way to describe it than pure infatuation. The whole idea of an unrequited, relentless love possessed by a poor, tortured soul outcast by society for his love in whom he dedicates his creative genius energy to is just classic. It is like Gatsby and Christian Grey to the next level. All of these men are relentless after the woman they are pursuing, yet the tragic flaw of ambition keeps them from achieving their goal. Phantom triumphs over all tragic heroes because his ambition takes him as far as to literally murdering people who get in his way to get closer to Christine. Not that I am contending for murder by any means, but it's pretty romantic if you ask me.
That brings me to my next point; labeling the Phantom as a murderer obviously denotes a negative connotation. His misunderstood, desolate, dark tale is what truly makes his character that much more captivating. You can’t help but root for the Phantom for that reason. Speaking of, if we are talking teams here in this love triangle, I don’t know if anyone could possibly be a fan of Raoul with that hair cut (I’m talking strictly movie version here…sorry Patrick Wilson). The only, and I mean only time, I was a slight Raoul fan was during the scene where he chased Christine to the graveyard -- the buildup of the music as they zoomed in on him riding his horse with his shirt billowing in the wind majestically was solid. But anyways, back to what is really important.
Andrew Lloyd Webber just gets me. He is just a genius, to put it lightly. The whole entire score of the show is phenomenal. The reoccurring melodies that intertwine within the plot line create a sense of cohesive flow and nostalgia. “Music of the Night” and “Point of No Return” are just two compositions within the soundtrack that hit me every time. “Music of the Night” is without a doubt the first time that you fall in love. The infatuation and obsession sets in. The candlelight glimmer reflecting off the cave’s dungeon river creates the most eerie yet magical glow. You can’t help but never want to return to “the garish light of day” after a moment as sensational as that. Contrasting in tone, “Point of No Return” makes you feel on edge and dangerous, yet waiting at any moment to erupt with robust passion and desire. When that powerful, seductive moment ends and transfers into “All I Ask of You,” your heart melts all over again.
The ultimate moment that makes Phantom conquer all is that it contains hands-down the best kiss of all time. Years and years of that tortured soul pining after his love through his magical craft all wrapped up into one moment when Christine finally gives into what (we all know) that she wants. Every time I watch the scene with Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum on screen or live on Broadway, I feel the same way as I do when I watched it the first time. It is the epiphany moment where everything in life stops and the universe is where it should be. But that moment is fleeting. It can never again be.
"The Phantom of the Opera" always leaves me wanting more. Always. If you have never seen it, I highly recommend watching it. It obviously is not for everyone, but it has been acclaimed the “greatest love story of all time” for a reason, I suppose.
