The Greatest Show(man): How a One-Man Show Is Changed into a Family Show

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1485796/

The Greatest Showman, for those who haven't seen it, is a musical about Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum's establishment of his circus. Though he does not come from a wealthy class, Barnum marries someone (Charity) from a wealthy class, and they have two daughters together. Ironically, Charity does not care about their status in society, but P.T. does. He sets out to become wealthy, which means establishing a circus where unique people are featured and even going on a lengthy trip with Jenny Lind, a Swedish singer. The Greatest Showman has a variety of messages. From the power of using differences for unity to the establishment of racial equality, several messages could be analyzed in The Greatest Showman. This blog will focus on one—the right-of-center message that the family unit should be preserved, which effectively reaches the target audience of families through scenes revolving around the following songs: "A Million Dreams," "Tightrope," and "From Now On."

Scene 1

One scene, which reveals the family-centered message, has "A Million Dreams" in it, but it is not the first time the song appears, which makes the scene even more effective. The scene includes the reminiscing music of "A Million Dreams," showing that P.T. Barnum and his family have not stopped dreaming together. It also includes dialogue with his wife trying to convince him that happiness is not found in material possessions but rather with whom one spends time. Even amidst P.T.'s and his children's longing for more, Charity is able to experience happiness and the film portrays family life as being happy and fruitful even in times of loss (because Barnum just lost his job at this time). This right-of-center celebration of the family continues throughout the show.

Scene 2

Charity's commentary is in the scene where she sings "Tightrope." The music begins with simple background music (to reflect the simple life Charity longs for). Throughout the song, Barnum's rightful place beside his family is not fulfilled as there is an empty chair at a ballet performance, an empty chair at the table, and a curtain instead of Barnum dancing with his wife. The lack of Barnum means that not only is his circus declining, but also his investment in his wife is declining while he celebrates Jenny Lind instead of his own wife. As the Giannetti article about ideology explained, marital monogamy is valued rather than sexual freedom in right-of-center films, such as this one (Giannetti, "Ideology," p. 418). This scene, while still emphasizing the value of marriage/family, contrasts to the first scene because it shows what life is like without the family unit properly functioning, but the third scene shows the turning point in the restoration of the relationship.

Scene 3

In this third scene, Barnum explores his past (being with the queen, etc.) and eventually realizes he should return to his family. As he looks at a picture of his family, he reflects on the fact that his main priority should be his family. He claims that "from now on, these eyes will not be blinded by the lights." Immediately, he chooses to make things right not only professionally, but more importantly, personally. This scene marks Barnum's change and celebrates it. It even mentions "home," which refers to the circus, but also his true family. After his new decision, he runs after his wife and children while the inspirational music continues. At this point, the family unit is on its path to restoration.

Through the scenes with "A Million Dreams," "Tightrope," and "From Now On," The Greatest Showman's right-of-center message of having a family unit is given to the target audience of families. It makes sense that a film focusing on giving a message to both parents and children of the middle class would emphasize the power and the fulfillment that comes from a traditional marriage with two children and the lack of fulfillment that money can bring. The return to traditional family values that are emphasized in the film is surely known by the audience as it encompasses the main plot of the story. In case the viewers missed the other signs of the family unit being the most important, the greatest showman, P.T., gives up his role and watches his children at the end of the show. Then, the overt message is repeated through a quote ("The noblest art is that of making others happy.") at the end. It would be difficult for the audience to miss the importance the film places on family.