‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is another Broadway movie bomb: Blame the plot
The plot of Dear Evan Hansen is honestly a lot. The musical follows the titular Evan Hansen, who struggles with anxiety, as he fakes a friendship with a boy who committed suicide after his therapy homework letters were discovered by the boy’s parents. He accidentally starts an inspiring movement and tries to keep the lies from crashing down around him. It’s . . . well, it’s definitely a lot.
Now, we have the musical movie version of the film heading to theatres. It just had its world premiere at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). So how did the plot of Dear Evan Hansen translate to the screen? According to people on Twitter, not well! Let’s see their reactions about yet another musical bomb, shall we?
Maturing is realizing that #DearEvanHansen is a manipulative show that praises being a shit person and crying bc said shit person got caught lying about their actions.
— Leighton (he/him/they/them) 🏳️⚧️ (@lja_0) September 10, 2021
Truth
Listen “Waving Through a Window” may slap, but Evan Hansen is a terrible person.
#DearEvanHansen is a mess. Poor directional choices and iffy musical choices ruin a film that could've resonated with a more inspired adaptation. Read our #TIFF review: https://t.co/kJHd7pb9mM pic.twitter.com/bVEqD7fgks
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) September 10, 2021
Ouch
Maybe Stephen Chbosky should stick to writing.
#DearEvanHansen debuts with a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes from eight reviews. pic.twitter.com/ag23HrYI5s
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 10, 2021
On the bright side
Well, it’s no Cats so hopefully this won’t kickstart the Apocalypse.
My new favorite article correction #DearEvanHansen pic.twitter.com/1fN238jBCM
— K.J. Yossman (@KJYossman) September 10, 2021
That was his own hair?!?!
Oh Ben Platt, baby. You should sue whoever did your hair in this movie.
It’s not perfect but I really enjoyed #DearEvanHansen! It’s way too long and a few of the musical numbers feel a tad out of place but it’s terrific cast & strong message make this such a heartwarming & uplifting watch that works way better than it ever should’ve of #TIFF21 pic.twitter.com/DIsmrXxkQQ
— Connor @ TIFF21 (@ConnorMovies) September 10, 2021
It has its fan(s) apparently
Wow, someone actually enjoyed the movie.
#DearEvanHansen producer when the reviews dropped today pic.twitter.com/gUT6CeZDvI
— 💖Vic Michaelis💖 (@vicmmic) September 11, 2021
Probably not but . . .
You have to wonder if producers will scramble to fix it.
Got to love film Twitter. #TIFF21 #DearEvanHansen pic.twitter.com/qldXIzmNmT
— She Sees Films 👑 (@127Movies) September 10, 2021
*waves to Film Twitter*
Film Twitter always there with the takedowns.
Since people are talking about Kaitlyn Dever because of #DearEvanHansen, it's a great time to remember her absolutely phenomenal work on #Unbelievable. It's been 2 years, but I think about that show & Dever's performance in it A LOT. What a star. What a show. pic.twitter.com/qzos2STLg0
— Luca Giliberti (@LucaLeonardo99) September 10, 2021
Agh!
Why can’t we put Kaitlyn Dever in better things?!
absolutely losing it at the first paragraph of this dear evan hansen review pic.twitter.com/Dl8ioOCG3C
— Jake Kaplan (@JakeKaplanNY) September 10, 2021
Shoulda, woulda, coulda
We should have re-casted Ben Platt.
Joe Biden just said everyone who doesn’t get vaccinated is required to see Dear Evan Hansen in theatres
— molly (@isteintraum) September 10, 2021
*nods*
Now that’s a way to get people vaccinated.
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What do you think went wrong with the Dear Evan Hansen adaptation? Was it the plot? Or was it just everything in general? Let us know in the comments below.
