‘Hamilton’: Reviewing a Flawless Stage Performance
Part 2: The Filmed Show
Thomas Kail, who directed the stage production, oversees its cinematic capture. He takes full advantage of the new tool-set acquired by choosing to film it.
It’s a marriage of mediums that plays to both their strengths, featuring all the beauty of live theater alongside techniques only a film can utilize; close-ups of the actors, focus pulls, quick-cut editing.
The aforementioned close-ups allow us to really see the brilliant work the actors are doing. Leslie Odom Jr. in particular shines as Hamilton’s friend-turned-rival Aaron Burr.
Philippa Soo turns in an equally powerful performance as Eliza Hamilton, Alexander’s wife.
Kail never stays too tight though, often opting for a wide shot to fully appreciate the choreography, or Howell Binkley’s intricate lighting design.
The entire show is on display, and minus a few censored f-bombs, no cuts or edits have been made. They even preserve the bow music, beautifully orchestrated by Alex Lacamoire.
Nothing compares to watching it live, but as a document of the original production, it really is the next best thing.
Too rarely as an audience are we given the opportunity to be sitting in the mezzanine one minute, and on stage with the actors the next.
