AroView: Stephen Sondheim’s rapturous musical makes an impressive transition from the contemporary Broadway stage to the feature film format.

Yes, it’s “filmed theatre” but don’t let that put you off. It’s a brilliantly executed showbiz cautionary tale (told in reverse chronological order from 1976 to 1958) that makes for a unique and powerful home viewing experience. The revival production apparently garnered the most five-star reviews in London’s West-End history, and who are we to disagree? ★★★★★

Spanning three decades, it charts the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends — writer Mary and lyricist & playwright Charley. Originally produced on Broadway in 1981, then becoming an inventive cult-classic ahead of its time, the musical features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated and personal songs. The 2023-2024 Broadway production, directed by Maria Friedman, redefined the show for a new era, bringing Stephen Sondheim’s intricate score and George Furth’s book to vivid life with extraordinary depth and clarity.

“Director Maria Friedman has brought her landmark Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s most notorious flop to the screen that, in several key ways, actually improves on her heralded staging.” ~Tom O’Brien, Next Best Picture

“Groff and Radcliffe are great in two very different roles (each won a Tony last year for their performances) but there really isn’t a weak link in the cast, and the music is grand.” ~Chris Knight, Original-Cin