Hamilton

Release Date: July 3, 2020

Watch Date: June 8 – June 13, 2023

“An unforgettable cinematic stage performance, the filmed version of the original Broadway production of ‘Hamilton’ combines the best elements of live theatre, film and streaming to bring the cultural phenomenon to homes around the world for a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. ‘Hamilton’ is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, ‘Hamilton’ has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre-a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.” Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, the film transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and direction by Thomas Kail, ‘Hamilton’ is inspired “

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    I have been in love with this musical for years, I watched five or six times in a row when it first came out on Disney+ and I finally convinced my red-blooded American husband to watch it this December. And he loved it. Secretly, he’s been listening to the soundtrack while at work. So when we had some more free time on our hands during our working hours, and he proposed we stick on Hamilton, well I mean, why not?

    Now, contrary to what my fangirl self would like to say, this musical is not perfect. People could walk away from this musical believing that Hamilton was a saint, and he wasn’t. Just like the other Founding Fathers, he was human, and humans have flaws. He cheated on his wife, there’s a strong possibility that he too owned slaves – even if it was through his wife’s family. He was egotistical, headstrong, and believed he had all the answers.

    Hamilton’s story, and that of the other Founding Fathers featured in the musical, are over simplified, as they should be, because it’s a musical. It’s not meant to be an entirely accurate or complete depiction of events. If you’ve ever read the book the musical is based off of – which I have – you’ll know that it’s dense, that there’s a lot of blank spaces in Hamilton’s life because what was kept to be shared to the public by Eliza was kept to paint him in the best life possible. You will learn that America was, and really still is, a country learning to stand on it’s own two feet, a great experiment, with many leading scientists trying to hold the reigns with each of them having a million and one reasons why they should be in charge.

    But the music is unique, even if now Miranda’s style of music seems ubiquitous after ‘Encanto’, ‘Moana’ and ‘In The Heights’. But he is a good lyricist, he is good at writing catchy music that packs a punch and delivers a lot of information and emotion. There is a reason all of these films and Broadway musicals have had the international success that they have had. Miranda is a huge part of that.

    This musical, this performance, gives people a chance to claim their own part in the American story – by focusing on a character that was pushed to the minority and casting an primarily minority cast. Doing so allows a group of people that previously did not see themselves reflected in the founding of their country a way to take ownership, to see that regardless of the colour of one’s skin the problems and successes of a human life are all relatable.

    As for converting a musical into a feature length film, I think Disney did a fantastic job of making you feel like you are at Broadway theatre at a time where you couldn’t go to Broadway. I sincerely hope that more musicals and more streaming services will look to the success of this release, of how beautifully it was filmed and captured, and use their platforms to introduce more of these works of art to the masses. Not because it would make people more cultured or anything, but because I don’t think enough people are exposed to them to see that there really is a musical out there for everybody, and a story to be told, and heard, and enjoyed.

    It is my dearest hope that I will be able to convince Bob to watch this with me every July 4th, since it’s pretty much the most American film I know that I’ll enjoy that also celebrates the founding of his country, but we might have to skip this year – he may love the movie but even he can only stomach so much Broadway musical in a month.