Dear Evan Hansen

Some of the characters and most of the actors and people responsible for this movie deserve jail.

I will start off by saying that the main issue with this movie is the plot itself, that short of re-inventing the Broadway show it’s based on, there was no solution to that unsolvable problem. It also means that if you’re a fan of the show, you’re half-way there to enjoying this film.

However, the premise of the movie and most importantly any chance at reaching a fulfilling resolution heavily rely on you understanding that a CHILD can make mistakes and get in over their head. Ben Platt is no such child. It does this movie no favours that Ben Platt is out here looking like a full grown, tax paying adult. Similarly the romantic relationship is given an unnecessary darkness by making it look like a college senior dating a high school freshman.

Stephen Chbosky’s desire to stay close to Evan Hansen’s face means that we’re often treated to Platt’s hirsute predisposition forcing his five o’clock shadow to fight its way through what must be a pound of make up to give the viewer what I only hope is an intentional metaphor for the dark undertones this movie has.

Most songs are unable to replicate the magical connection that presumably they had in the stage version, with a couple of notable exceptions. Unfortunately for Platt, most of these exceptions don’t involve him.

While Cats may have also been fever dream of a film, at least for that one, we can look back and smile.