Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Kathyrn Ordiway: Genre (Musical): The Phantom of the Opera
After being introduced and entertained by the film version of the Phantom of the Opera, we are left pondering the numerous parameters of such a fine production. One of the areas that might be valuable to explore are the multi-layered points associated with the psychological appeal of the production. Consider how the audience psychologically responds to the film and/or the stage production if you have seen both. Also, consider the psychological extremes that are evident on the part of the phantom himself. How does his psyche contribute to his own failure to "force" Christine to love him? Finally, how does Kathyrn's presentation unveil the characteristics of a musical production and how has your understanding of a musical production been enhanced as a result of her choice in film?
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The saying goes, "You can't make someone love you."
ReplyDeleteI think this quote is extremely important in "Phantom of the Opera" because of the Phantom's will to make Christine love him. I think the inciting force to why the Phantom was like this was because of his background and childhood, like we see in the movie when Madame Giry confesses the Phantom's story to Raoul. He was treated as a freak (which once again brings the movie "Freaks" to mind") in a fair. His retaliation to this was by hiding away forever and becoming angry. He did however find peace and love in Christine whom believed he was her "angel of music." His inner struggle with his physical appearance is what drove his psychological mind to believe he could actually make Christine love him. The problem is, he couldn't do this. Christine was already in love with another man, and although she may have felt some sort of enchantment to the Phantom in her heart it was always Raoul. Ultimately, how the phantom was treated as a child with lack of love is what drove him to desire for love and lust in his obsession with Christine.
I myself have never seen the stage production, but after being presented this film I want to more than anything. Like I heard many of my classmates describe, the stage play is far superior. I do however think that Kat did an amazing job presenting the musical genre to us. To be able to picture how this would have been done on stage and how Kat described it being done made it believable. What I love about musicals is the spontaneous song, which Kat pointed out does not actually happen in real life. The music is also a key component of a musical, and Phantom surely had a superb soundtrack and score. My dance company did a number to the "Phantom of the Opera" song itself two years ago as a ballet piece, and I immediately loved the music, yet I knew absolutely nothing about the story itself. I think if one can enjoy the music without knowing a thing about the movie or stage production itself means that it has to be a great musical.
Shout out to Kat for a great presentation and amazing movie! I learned a lot about musicals that I did not notice before, especially things like symbolism and ideology. I thought musicals were mostly for pure enjoyment of the music and entertainment. Now I understand how they can have real symbolism, narrative structure, and social and psychological appeal.
Having seen both a stage version and a few movie versions prior to this, I knew the second that Kathryn said she chose "The Phantom of the Opera" that I would love her presentation. It is one of my all time favorite musicals. There is so much involved in it that I had never realized before.
ReplyDeleteI think I learned a few things about it that I never noticed before. I had never realized the significance of the chandelier being lot 666. If Kathryn had not mentioned it, I probably never would have. It was amazing and a perfect way to lead into the content that was coming soon. Another thing I never realized was that Christine's makeup changed as she progressed. It was very impressive.
I believe the Phantom's progression into the state that he was directly related to how he reacted later on. Had he not been abused by others as a child, he would not have grown up thinking that it was the only way people could view him. He would have been significantly changed had this not occured. He became fueled by the rage and hate he knew as a child.
The music, as Kathryn pointed out, was so emotional. It carried a good majority of the plot and helped give depth to the characters. Had I not heard the songs between Raoul and Christine, I would not have been able to completely understand their relationship and the emotion behind it. I never realized how much the music played into the actual plot. I just thought it was there for embellishment.
I also would like to touch back on the subject of the relationships between Raoul, Christine, and the Phantom. I view it as the love versus lust topic once more. Raoul was truly concerned for the welfare of Christine and he loved her more than anything. The Phantom was fueled by his obsession and attempted to drive her into loving him. It was not until the very end that he understood her and grew to love her. This makes the relationships have so much more depth and intrigue.
The discussion helped me to understand everyone's differing opinions on the film. It was great to see where everyone was coming from. I think I can definitely agree with some of the opinions although some I am entirely opposed to. I personally liked the two men equally because I could see good and bad and both. It was great to see viewpoints that differed from my own.
I would also like to tell Kathryn great job! I wish we wouldn't have had to fast forward through it but it was still and amazing movie. I learned a significant amount and was able to revisit a great movie.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteI'd have to agree with you when you brought up the significance of the chandelier being lot 666. I think that is very, very interesting and I'm glad Kat brought it up. Like you said, I would not have noticed it on my own. Again, I agree with what you said about Christine's makeup. That is something I wouldn't have picked up on on my own, but once Kat mentioned it it was like you said "very pimressive" and amazing.
I liked your view on the love triangle of Chstine, Phantom, and Raoul. Also, I agree that the discussion helped me understand also. I think it really got the class thinking, and it made everything become more real.
Thanks Alex
Viewing The Phantom of the Opera last week was an entirely new experience for me. I have never seen the stage production or even the film. I must admit, musicals are not my favorite, but I found myself liking The Phantom of the Opera, as it was being shown.
ReplyDeletePsychologically, I responded to The Phantom of the Opera with sorrow for the phantom and ultimately for Christine who knew she had to unintentionally hurt the phantom emotionally. As is true in reality, many people can’t overcome what happened to them in their childhood. Thus, the case is the same for the phantom, who had a miserable upbringing. This created the psyche that he could not overcome in his somewhat obsessive pursuit of Christine. The “creepy” impression caused by his childhood really gave him no chance with Christine, especially with Raoul in the picture. A relationship between the phantom and Christine may have sounded good, but in reality it was unrealistic. Her and Raoul were meant to be, as they were childhood friends. I think audience would respond in the same manner that I have.
Like Sophie, the phrase that separates musicals from everything else is “spontaneous singing.” The music adds another dimension to the film. It can communicate feelings more effectively and beautifully between lovers or just other characters. With The Phantom of the Opera having such a famous status in the production department, I’m glad I was introduced to it. I also am appreciative of having a good understanding of what musicals involve. Thanks Kathryn!
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about feeling sorrow for the Phantom. I remember Kat saying that in the stage performance you feel an even greater sympathy for him. I would like to see how that would differ from the movie to the stage production. I also agree with what you said about Raoul and her being childhood sweethearts, meaning that they were destined to be together.
Thanks Kat!