On December 22, 2017, The Greatest Showman hit theaters in Richmond. The trailers leading up to the day excited many and boosted expectations through the roof. The movie, which recounts the true story of P.T. Barnum, is receiving critical acclaim as a “heartwarming film” that tells the history of a man who came from nothing and evolved into a savvy and caring businessman, bringing together the misfits of New York.   

The filmmakers portray Barnum as family man, who cared about his acts beyond their monetary value; however, the real P.T. Barnum was known a con artist, who allegedly coined the phrase “A sucker is born every minute.” Moviegoers see a different side to Barnum.

 The Greatest Showman reminds audiences to be inclusive and respectful of their peers, showing that everyone has value, not always in the traditional sense. The film catches the audience’s interests from the start with an all-star cast of amazing singers, such as Jenny Lind, whose song, Never Enough, touches the heartstrings. With intricate performances, Zendaya and Zac Efron steal the hearts of audiences with their forbidden love. They provide arguably the best scene of the movie with an aerial ribbon performance. 

In the end, all of the positives outweigh the negatives, leaving moviegoers happy and satisfied. For an entertainment-driven escape, The Greatest Showman delivers.