Very Cool!!!

Just perfect...

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

I have always been a fan of the American musical, but never got hooked on Oklahoma! until I saw the 1999 version with Hugh Jackman. Performed as a stage-to-screen version of the West End production, almost every aspect of the performances are enhanced with simplicity, innocence, and pure talent. The standout performances are by Hugh Jackman (as Curly) and Shuler Hensley (as Jud). Jackman's voice is as pure and strong as his character is (produced before he became an international star, this is no bit of stunt-casting to bring in audiences), and Jackman brings more to the character of Curly than Gordan McRae did, in my opinion. His Curly is strong, handsome, and confident, but more fun-loving than McRae's, and he has a certain charm and vulnerability that has been lacking in most previous productions. He obviously loves Laurey from the beginning, and seems as aggravated with himself as she is at him for the fact that he can't seem to help teasing her. Words are hardly enough to express the brilliance of Hensley's take on the dark, brooding farmhand, Jud. In most productions I've seen, Jud may seem a little creepy at worst, until he snaps. Hensley, however, plays Jud as near-psychotic from the beginning, so that the threat seems very real when Curly confronts him ("Poor Jud is Dead") and when Laurey is alone with him. I am also thrilled that the song "Lonely Room" was included, as it not only shows off Hensley's hauntingly beautiful singing voice, but brings depth to Jud's character and story. I absolutely love the changes made to the traditionally prim and proper character of Laurey. It's always annoyed me that a young woman on the frontier has always been costumed in fresh, clean, floor-length gowns. The decision to play Laurey a little younger, in overalls and a ponytail, is more realistic, and I believe it makes Curly's attraction to her and their constant ribbing more realistic. This Laurey is spunkier, but with a vulnerable side, and it's refreshing. Like her male counterparts, Gabrielle delivers some beautiful singing, dancing, and acting. One of the things that impressed me most about the leading performers was that, unlike almost every other professional production, they perform the dream ballet sequence at the end of Act I themselves, instead of using stunt doubles, and they dance it well. The decision to use the actors we're familiar with instead of so-called lookalikes vastly improves the flow of the show. The supporting cast is wonderful as well, particularly Maureen Lipman and Vicki Simon as Aunt Eller and Ado Annie, respectively. I was particularly glad to see an expanded, more believable portrayal of Ali Hakim (Peter Polycarpou). The only dim light in the supporting cast is Sidney Livingstone as Andrew Carnes. For some reason, he apparently could not be bothered to develop the necessary regional accent, and delivers every one of his lines with a strong British accent that seems jarring. Overall, I think this is one of the best stage-to-screen versions of a musical I've ever seen. The close camera shots and simplicity of the sets and staging gives the sense that you're simultaneously watching a stage play and a movie. Very entertaining and a refreshing twist on the standard musical.

From the first time as a kid I saw a summer stock production of Oklahoma I've been captivated by the inaugural Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. From the 1955 movie to high school productions to professional road shows I can't get enough of this musical.I was born after the Theatre Guild Broadway production but I suspect this version of the Oklahoma territory is a little rougher than what was depicted in 1943 and definitely rougher than the 1955 movie. Josefina Gabrielle in her denim overalls looks tough enough to kick Shirley Jones or Gordon MacRae into the next county if they cross her. And you don't get any of the lush Arizona foliage we remember from the 1955 movie.Fortunately Trevor Nunn did not try to update the production and make it his own. I keep thinking of the 2005 Brian Large production of La traviata with the giant clock on a sterile stage and the actors doing their best to imitate robots. When two great singers like Netrebko and Villazon can't distract you from the staging I think the director has failed.Being a Royal National Theatre production the British tinge is felt in the performers. Jackman is good but Gabrielle and especially Shuler Hensley as Jud are outstanding. Easily the best improvements from the 1955 movie are Jimmy Johnston and Vicki Simon as Will and Ado Annie respectively.My only complaint with the DVD is the sound of the barn raising number seemed muffled. Maureen Lipman and Sidney Livingstone sounded like the soundman didn't like them. And I could have done away with the shots of the crowd. The performances were plenty good enough for us to know when to clap.I doubt anyone sang and danced like this in the Oklahoma Territory but darn it they should have. Thank you Trevor Nunn for respecting this American original and making this a worthy production.

I really enjoyed this movie,in fact I loved it. At first I wasn't to sure I would like this movie because I hadn't known it was a musical when I had pick it out. If I had to con-pair to a movie which of course would have to be another music movie. I would say it's pretty daron good compared to Sing In The Rain and with Gene Kelly. Wow.....Hugh Jackman can really sing and act....and all that. The story keep me interested and I want to see more and what was going to happen next....and if it would have a happy ending. I like movies with a happy endings. It did have a happy ending and it also had drama a romance which are both good for me in a movie. I would watch over and over again.

I thought I'd ordered the original movie version of Oklahoma! but was nonetheless excited to see that I had the Hugh Jackman filmed stage play instead. Having never seen any version of the play before, it was a treat to see how it was staged. Everyone seems to sing well, dance well and portray the story well enough but for some reason my attention started to flag before the end of the first act. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it was the thick accents, which I know is integral to the play, but grew wearisome anyway. Most of the songs I was familiar with but it was nice to hear some of the lesser known songs as well. I felt a couple of the extended ballet scenes went on a bit too long. Found myself fast-forwarding through the DVD to get past them once the point was made. It's a sweet show, very old-fashioned, a bit long, but well made and for that I give it a mixed review. I can't say I didn't enjoy parts of it, but I also can't say that I enjoyed the overall program.