Netflix Releases Star-Studded Trailer for ‘The Prom’
Upset that COVID-19 restrictions cancelled or will potentially cancel your plans for prom? Well this Holiday Season, Netflix is on the way with help.
The streaming service has finally unveiled the first trailer for Ryan Murphy’s all star adaptation of the Tony nominated Broadway musical “The Prom”. With stars that stretch across generations like Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Keegan-Michael Key, Kerry Washington and newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman, the film promises to be a cheery upbeat fun time timed for holiday viewing at the end of a difficult year for everyone.
“The Prom” is an uplifting musical that follows two stage actors Dee Dee Allen, played by Streep, and Barry Glickman, played by Corden, who have seen their careers take a hit after their latest show on Broadway bombs. The two stars believe the best way to save their image is to come to a small Indiana town to help a high school student named Emma Nolan (Pellman) who has been banned by the PTA from attending prom with her partner Alyssa. The actors, although initially fighting for Emma’s cause in their own interests, eventually join together and give the young girl a night to remember and urge her to be herself.
Premiering on Broadway in 2018, the musical received critical acclaim and was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Although it went home empty handed, it did win the Drama Desk Award in the same category and is expected to start a national tour in the new year so there is a fanbase for a screen adaptation of this musical, especially one dealing with themes of love and acceptance.
From the trailer, it looks like Murphy is bringing his signature campy style into this musical with over the top performances from Streep and Corden, bright colours, extravagant costumes and acceptance of gay culture that is prevalent in many of his shows. It marks the multi hyphenate’s first major directorial film since the Emmy Award Winning HBO movie “The Normal Heart” in 2014 and his first movie under multi million dollar exclusive deal he has with Netflix. And judging from this footage, Murphy went all out for his first feature and has the cast to back it up.
As far as awards goes, it may be a little to campy for Oscar voters compared to other screen musicals like “La La Land” and “Les Miserables” for it to be a major player outside of song and a few tech nods but this looks like catnip for the Golden Globes who almost always go for musicals. And with competition scarce this year thanks to “In The Heights” and “West Side Story” moving to 2021, it could go all the way to the top there. Regardless of awards, this looks like a big holiday event for Netflix and will not doubt draw millions of eyeballs.
The Prom hits select theatres in December and streams on Netflix December 11. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think.