It’s the story of hope in the midst of high school loneliness as the latest Award winning Broadway play makes its debut on the big screen.
Dear Evan Hansen is a journey of a socially awkward teen who learns that he is not the only one that feels out of place. He does this through the help of a troubled classmate named Connor (Colton Ryan) who takes his own life after a brief encounter that one could say is life changing. Unfortunately the classmate is found with a suicide letter that Evan wrote to himself. Now it is up to him to figure out how to console the boy’s family and not get in too deep with the imaginary friendship that he makes up.
Pitch Perfect star Ben Platt portrays Evan Hansen and overall does remarkable well. His acting abilities in this film goes from being a socially awkward teen to one with a bit of confidence and shines through in what is a throughly complexed and compelling performance. Of course being a musical, his singing isn’t bad either as he captures notes that is pleasing to the ear and blends well with his fellow cast members.
Additionally, the film also stars Amy Adams, who also is no stranger to the musical realm. Her previous musical debut, portraying Giselle in the Disney film, Enchanted, prepared her for the heavier role that she is portraying in Dear Evan Hansen. This time, Adams is a grieving mother who is trying to cope with the sudden loss of her son, through “memories” that she never knew existed.
There is also a bit of a romance brewing between Evan and the boy’s sister, Zoe. It is through the stories Evan shares all in an effort to help the grieving family seek comfort that he and Zoe (Kaitlyn Dever) start to see each other for the first time in new light. Unfortunately, there is a slight wedge in that romance when the truth finally does surface however the ending is optimistic and though there are no spoilers, one will just have to see the film to decide for themselves on the ultimate fate of the star crossed teen lovers.
There are a couple surprises in terms of singing ability. Julianne Moore, who played a distant mother to Evan, for the first time graces us with her singing as she comforts her son in what is heart wrenching moment that brings tears to the audience.
Additionally another actress who we learn can sing is Hunger Games star, Amandla Stenberg. Her star stunning performance of Anonymous Ones share what so many high school students both past and present go through on a daily life. It also sets a new tone for the movie, one of hope and reaching out before it is too late.
At 2 hour 17 run time, Dear Evan Hansen is a movie for the generations to throughly appreciate. It shows the untold secrets that so many people deal with on a daily basis and it makes us aware that we should be more observant of people especially the ones who seem invisible. It’s an exceptional movie that focuses on one of the leading deaths in so many young people and at the end the film reminds everyone of the suicide hotline number that is available 24-7 for everyone who may be experiencing those thoughts or know someone who is troubled before it is too late.
Dear Evan Hanson came out in theaters September 24 and is currently playing in one near you.