Mind Nut

Ok, so this is, by far, one of my favorite movies. Unlike many other movies, I find myself watching it over and over again every once in a while to be reminded of the story and characters. Speaking of the story, it’s a pretty simple one that you’ve probably heard before. A couple fostering a couple of kids, except this movie shows just how extraordinary the circumstances can be. I like how Ellie and Pete aren’t perfect foster parents. You see their flaws throughout the movie, including a scene where they want to give up being foster parents and send their kids back with a sob story to boot. But they keep on trying because they know their kids need parents who love and are committed to them. Going on to kids, I love the characterization of Juan, Lita, and especially Lizzie. I love how you see Juan and Lita call Pete “dad” first before calling Ellie “mom” because they never really had a relationship with their biological dad (he’s nowhere to be found) to compare it to, unlike with their mom. Lita was a lovable little ball of sass, and Juan was an endearing sensitive goofball. Lizzie, on the flip side, is a little more complicated. She, unlike her siblings, has a lot more memories of her mother to carry with her as she bounces around the foster care system, and until meeting Pete and Ellie, she didn’t have any new memories for them to compete with. And when it all came to a head in the finale, it felt like a true struggle (great acting from Lizzie’s actress ❤️). Lizzie’s pain ended up being the final threshold the family all need to cross to resolve, and it was done with overwhelming love and acceptance from her foster parents. This movie is amazing. I always finish it wanting more but I’ll just have to wait until I watch it again. The side characters are freakin’ hilarious. Karen and Sharon (I think those are the social workers’ names. I just know they have alliteration thrown in there) are a witty dynamic duo. October kills me in every one of her appearances. And both Pete and Ellie’s moms are funny too, they just don’t know when to stop. And I don’t know about y’all but that lady with the apron at the end is my spirit animal. So delightfully awkward and enthusiastic about a weird situation she just happens to be in ☺️ All of this made for a family I’ll never not want to smile at.

Having never watched the play, I don't see the criticisms everyone else says. In my honest opinion, I think this movie is marvelous. As a person who's had his mix of crippling anxiety and social unease, I just related to this movie so well. Evan is an enduring example of a will to try to do something beyond other people's expectations. The music was astonishingly thought-proking. "You Will Be Found" made me cry literal tears of joy with how it told mine and the characters' internal struggles. We are not alone. Let people look at you and hear you make a sound. Dear Evan Hansen is a true masterpiece for the soul. 5/5 (Excellent).

This was an amazing movie. I liked Hugh Jackman in this movie, proving he doesn’t need to have claws for his performance to cut deep. Zac Efron’s character Philip is an example of love being sweeter than riches and reputation with his dynamic between P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) and Zendeya’s character Anne. Zendeya plays her role as Anne, an African-American woman apart of Barnum’s circus, really well, showing that the color of your skin doesn’t mean you can’t have the brightest dreams. Songs like ”This Is Me” and ”Never Enough” are phenomenal and got my mouth wide open and me crying out. All and all, a solid 4/5 stars ”Amazing”.

Great, beautiful movie. Must watch. Great visuals and songs, and powerful themes.