Over the past year, studio marketing departments seemingly have gone to great lengths to hide the musical elements of their movies (we’re looking at you, “Mean Girls” and “Wonka”). So it’s kind of refreshing that four new out and proud additions to the genre are set to make their mark this awards season. Michael Gracey, who helmed the word-of-mouth wonder “The Greatest Showman,” understands the continuing appeal of musicals to filmmakers.
“I always say you sing when words no longer suffice,” Gracey says. “You want the scene to emotionally take you to a high point. And when you can’t express that joy or that euphoria in any other way, you break into song.
The same is true the other way. You go down to the depths of despair, and in that moment of pain and that moment of anguish, singing is the only way to express how you feel.” The Australian director cements himself as a true master of the musical number with his latest endeavor, “Better Man.
” Centered on the life of Robbie Williams, the movie differs from many of the recent biopics as the global pop star is portrayed through motion-capture CG in the form of a monkey. It’s a bold creative choice that elevates the narrative, but it wasn’t even the most difficult aspect of making the film. That occurred when Queen Elizabeth II died when filming was about to begin for what turned out to be an incredible number set on London’s Regent Street.
“We had to get new money in to invest in that one mu.
