From humble beginnings and since childhood dreaming of a magical world, PT Barnum (Hugh Jackman) he challenges social barriers by marrying the daughter of his father's boss and kicks off the realization of his greatest wish by opening a kind of museum of curiosities. The venture fails, but he soon sees a daring way out: producing a great show starring freaks, frauds, oddities and rejects of all kinds.
"I close my eyes and I can see
the world that is waiting for me
And what I call mine
Through the dark through the door
Through where they've never been before
But it feels like a home”
The excerpt above is part of one of the songs in the movie. A Million Dreams.
O King of the Show it is not just a movie, a musical or a narrative of the journey of a poor young man who will conquer the world. It's a far cry from these clichés. It is beyond what a critic can describe.
To paraphrase a part of the King of the Show, it's sad to see a theater critic who doesn't smile with the play. It's sad to go to the movies and not get involved with the film, with its characters, with the work in general. Just show up to pull out a notebook and look for mistakes, keep looking for explanations for everything that happens, in costumes, lighting, etc.
This is a movie that talks yes about a boy's journey, but much more about believing in dreams. And not just living. But knowing that many times we will not be able to reach the object that we so much desire in our dreams. And when that happens, what should we do? Wake up so we can have it in our hands!
The technical parts, for those who like them, are an art. The costumes of the characters, the setting, all of it is a real stage behind the big screen.
For those who don't like musical movies, rest assured. The King of the Show is well balanced with parts in dialogue and music. One of the highlights, in addition to the opening scene, is the choreography in the bar between Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron. A dance involving glasses! The two actors were formidable, even though Zac is overshadowed by Hugh Jackman.
Hugh Jackman is the true King of the Show. His interpretation, in my opinion, one of the best of the actor, goes beyond smiles, singing and showing his emotions. The actor's involvement is so strong with the role that we can't think of someone else to live the character.
The heavyweight cast, in addition to Zac Efron, who again has a musical part with Zendaya which talks about being down to earth, climbing mountains and going beyond what people want, it's fantastic. The antithesis between the two characters, she a person from the lower class and he from a prestigious family, is totally the opposite of the beginning of the film, where Hugh is the poor and his future wife accepts to leave a prestigious class and live the dream next door who she loves.
And the dreams that often turn into nightmares can end the moment you wake up. This is clear during the plot, which doesn't have the lazy script of showing the classic hero's journey, showing the protagonist coming from nowhere, struggling to conquer, reaching his peak, losing everything and getting back on his feet! No, anyway.
The King of the Show is a little bit of the reality of each one. Demonstrating that even in our worst moments, we can still have the hand of someone who gives us an apple, someone who even far away will read our letters and answer them. And that even in our heyday, we will still make mistakes, forget about the past, get away from the goal and be able to return.
"When the sharpest words want to cut me
I will send the floods, I will drown them
I'm brave, I'm hurt, I'm who I should be
This is me"
This excerpt (this is me), represents well the characters' entire journey. Where everyone has their problems. Problems with social and physical prejudice, in all senses, which lead to the worst: acceptance.
And who better to give you that acceptance than just yourself? Of course, in many situations, we will need a word from someone to show us that we don't need to be like the others who throw our mistakes, our problems, etc. in our face. We already know who we are, we already know our limits. And now it's time for us to realize that going beyond the stars depends only on rewriting what we want so badly.
Limits are not imposed by others. They are made by us.
The King of the Show is a slap on people in general. It's a tease for you to watch it for fun. Seeking a smile like a child who sees a magician perform his trick and doesn't care how it happened.
It serves to remind you that the magic of cinema is for fun and not looking for reasons. And that the things that happen in our life, don't need reasons either. They need smiles, tears, and they need to be lived.
And that we can always count on someone. Because no one is ever alone.
I could write a lot more about the film, like the scenes that interact with the characters, the slowmotions, among others. Only that would be a terrible mistake to take away your fun! So this time I won't!
And let the curtains go up. And may the show never end! To the next!
EN 
PT_BR 