By
Updated 1 year ago,January 16, 2024
Movie musicals are a challenge.
Casting the right people is essential.
Unfortunately, such productions often fall victim to terribly misguided casting decisions.
Pierce Brosnan in ‘Mamma Mia’ | MovieClips
Movie musicals whether original creations or on-screen adaptations of stage productions often demand triple threats in leading roles.
Looking the part is not enough.
Having the necessary disposition will not seal the deal.
If you cant sing it, you cant seize it.
If you cant dance it, you cant do it.
So, here are the ones that left much to be desired.
His SOS duet was rough (to say the least).
The straining in his voice was immediately evident, as was his often off-key delivery.
Brosnan is a strong actor, but he should stick to talking his lines over singing them.
Like Brosnan, Crowes singing feels forced and unnatural.
When performing in a musical, the singing should feel as seamless as the dialogue to viewers.
However, in Crowes case, it is abundantly evident that he is struggling.
In short, her vocal delivery is too thin and light.
Theres an airiness to her singing in the musical where power should be.
Where the walls should be vibrating, we get a bit of a sing-songy whisper.
Her take on Dont Cry For Me Argentina is strained and overly breathy.
The high notes are just too high, and it shows.
And when she sings the title words, the intensity isnt there.
There is no gravitas.
Her accent was inconsistent, giving way to an impersonation that was more caricature than character.
Remember what we said about triple threats?
Madonna cant exactly act, and her voice was wrong for the part.
Lucille Ball | Mame (1974)
This one hurts.
But, as she would go on to say herself, she cant sing.
Yet, those in the biz wanted a star to play a star.
Lansbury boasts power and precision; Ball boasts neither.
Give us a break.
He may be Maverick, but he aint Mick Jagger.
His vocals in Wanted Dead or Alive and Pour Some Sugar on Me are thin and lethargic.
Wheres that testosterone-fueled aggression?
He cant embody the character.
It never feels like Tom Cruise becomes Stacee Jaxx; rather, the consistent thought is, Wow.
Look at Tom Cruise, this huge movie star, take a shot at this.
