Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman bring the zazz in Netflix's trailer for The Prom
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The sleeper Broadway hit that was Chad Beguelin, Bob Martin and Matthew Sklar’s The Prom is now a star-studded spectacle on Netflix starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, and Nicole Kidman, all of whom drown in autotune in the first trailer for Ryan Murphy’s upcoming adaptation.
Streep and Corden star as a pair of fading Broadway stars in dire need of good publicity, which arrives in the form of an Indiana high school that won’t allow a girl to attend prom with her girlfriend. With Kidman and Girls’ Andrew Rannells in tow, the pair looks to garner some woke headlines by lending their wattage to the cause. Alas, their “self-absorbed celebrity activism unexpectedly backfires,” likely due to them singing “Imagine” to a confused senior class.
Just kidding, nothing in The Prom, which sounds overproduced to the point of parody, is so raw and uncut as Gal Gadot’s cringey singalong. See for yourself in the trailer, which, despite our cynicism, promises a campy good time for those who enjoy campy good times.
Newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman leads a supporting cast that also includes Keegan-Michael Key, Kerry Washington, Tracey Ullman, and Mary Kay Place, none of whom are the original musical’s Tony-nominated Beth Leavel, Brooks Ashmanskas, and Caitilin Kinnunen, who are notably absent from the film version.
The Prom kicks off on December 11.
14 Comments
Streep? YES!Kidman? YES, YES!Corden? …uhhh, I think I’ll pass…
Why is James Corden? Not why is he famous, or why do some people like him, just, why is James Corden?
Always the expected reaction to Corden. I’d yawn, but that was my first reaction, too, so I feel exactly the same. Just perplexingly insufferable that man.
What I really wish we had more of are recordings of the stage version of all these shows rather than movie versions. I loved The Prom’s big performance at the Tonys in large part because of the dancing and how simply it was shot. Movies like to add a lot of camera moves and slow motion to add pizzazz, but that can easily get in the way of just how good choreography and its execution can be. It’s a gold standard, but West Side Story did an amazing job of highlighting the dancers and the choreography with wide shots especially in America. I wish there’s more in that style for me to see, but this doesn’t look to be one of them. Fingers crossed for Spielberg’s WSS.
If you’re ever in New York not during a pandemic, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center maintains a video library of tons of live theater. https://www.nypl.org/about/divisions/theatre-film-and-tape-archive
Wow, that’s amazing. I’m thankful for BroadwayHD, but their selection isn’t as broad as we’d all like. Good to know there’s this resource.
I saw this on Broadway and the casting seems very off – Corden too young, Kidman too old (although I would never say no to aa Kidman movie let alone one where she sings and dances) even Rannells who I have been in love with since The New Normal since seems too old for his role. Streep in this trailer isnt a great fiteither.Otherwise looks great and I am excited for it (not Corden)
Wait, what’s the good part?Ariana DeBose is who I’m excited to see. I feel like her career, already in good shape, was due to just absolutely blow up this year, but COVID has really lengthened the fuse.
I’m confused about the too old comments.Nicole Kidman is the same age as Angie Schworer who originated the role in 2016 when she was 49. The character is probably intended to be mid to late 40s, and while Kidman is 53, she can definitely pass for mid to late 40s. While Andrew Rannells is 9 years younger than Christopher Sieber who originated the role. So the idea that they’re too old when compared to the Broadway cast is a strange thing to say.
I saw it on broadway too – loved it. Really wish the original cast was in the movie instead. Will still watch it and will still likely cry uncontrollably.
Oh I’ve seen this-Madeline Ashton performing Songbird, based on Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird of Youth.
this looks fun enough and I’m sure will bring lots of comfort to any lonely baby queers out there, especially during the holiday season.
Yiiiiiikes this looks cringey.
Thoughts throughout the trailer:I love Streep’s hair color. Great choice. I mean she’s Streep. InstaloveKidman looks a little strange, but I love her anywayCorden, I…don’t know why.Michael-Key and Washington – love them, unsure about what they’re doing here but I’ll take itRannels – Don’t know who he is really but I’ll take itUllman – where? How did I miss her?The kids – awesome, ok.Corden again – he looks very smooth and…was he trying an American accent. I mean, I don’t hate him, I just…don’t get it.Five seconds before trailer ends, “Ryan Murphy would love this”Ryan Murphy is involved.Might watch this.