The Prom

Director: Ryan Murphy
Starring: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, Jo Ellen Pellman, Tracy Ullman, Kevin Chamberlin, Mary Kay Place, Logan Riley
Distributor: Netflix
Runtime: 130 mins. Reviewed in Jan 2021

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Rating notes: Mild themes, sexual references and coarse language

The Prom, based on a Broadway musical, is an exuberantly lively show. There is, plenty of song and dance; plenty of comedy; and plenty of social issues.

The theme of The Prom captures audience attention. It is one of sexual orientation, equality, and tolerance moving to respect. At a school in a small Indiana town, preparations for the Prom are in process but one of the students wants to attend with her girlfriend as partner. The school principal Tom Hawkins (Key) has given the go-ahead. However, the President of the PTA and some of the other mothers are in high dudgeon (highest dudgeon) in disapproval, demanding that the prom not go on.

The girl at the centre, Emma, is played by Jo Ellen Pellman. She has a vivacious screen presence, and a talent for both singing and dancing. Emma has been kicked out of her home by her parents and lives with her sympathetic Grandma Bea (Place.) While the principal is sympathetic there is loud opposition by Mrs Greene (Washington), who is unaware that it is her daughter, Alyssa (DeBose) who is the object of Emma’s affection.

The action switches to Broadway, the opening night of a play, Eleanor, about President Roosevelt and his wife. The stars on the red carpet are in full swing, preening, avid for publicity, egos in action, narcissistic self-awareness. And this is enhanced because the stars are played by Meryl Streep, Dede, the musical comedy star for decades, and James Corden, Barry, also ambitious.

After the small town conflict, the drama will be far more spectacular. The stars make demands on a harassed agent, Kevin Chamberlin, available to their every whim. The show goes on. The entourage gathers to read the reviews – disaster. The inconsolable duo meet with a chorus girl who has been stuck in the chorus for decades, Angie (Nicole Kidman). And there is the friendly barman, successful on television, hoping for is Broadway breakthrough, Trent, Andrew Rannells). What can they do for rehabilitation? They look for a worthy cause – and Angie discovers the situation in Indiana.

There have already been songs and dances and this continues throughout the film, attractive songs and lyrics which illustrate character and situation, recitative, enthusiastic, with flashbacks to the showbiz lives, and enthusiastic comedy. It is extraordinary to see Meryl Streep, at 70, still so vigorous, always so different from other performances, singing, dancing, indulging her character’s egotism. James Corden provides a balance, gay man, alienated from his family, wanting affection, ambitious for his career. Nicole Kidman gets her singing and dancing and empathy opportunities in the middle of the film.

The group gatecrash the school and PTA meeting, have all kinds of plans to help Emma, prepare for the prom – only for some administrative swindle that leaves Emma high and dry. Even more help from the showbiz group. But Emma makes strong moves to help herself.

Interestingly, one of the highlights of the show is a song and dance episode in a shopping mall, involving the students from the school who have been condemnatory of Emma. It is Trent who sings a lively song, Love Thy Neighbour, which could have been at home in any religious revival meeting, emphasising that the main command of the gospel, that Jesus said, above all, Love Thy Neighbour. Of course, this gives the moral point of the story a Christian and religious imperative.

Not a spoiler, but needless to say, a happy ending for all concerned.

Peter Malone MSC