How can I adore music and film yet despise musicals?

[tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz]

Evening all

I have loved music since as long as I can remember. I'm 40+ now and remember from age 8 onwards being overjoyed with a stack of records then CDs for every birthday and Christmas and I'd listen to them until they wore out and learn every lyric off by heart. I'd daydream constantly to music and all,of my memories in life, good and bad, have a soundtrack, if that makes sense?

Ditto films. Adore getting lost in a great film. Bonus points if it's a film with a great soundtrack.

But I can't watch musical, film or stage, without my butt cheeks clenching at the horror of it. I just don't understand how I can enjoy the two elements separately but think if rather poke my own eyes out than watch a musical. When I tell people this they look at me as if I'd announced I love kicking kittens.

I've been enjoying the crazy nonsense that is Riverdale recently with DDut suddenly that's gone all bloody jazz hands

Please say it's not just me? What's wrong with me that I get such a visceral reaction

They're three distinct art forms, I don't think you're unreasonable.

I love a good musical, but there are an awful lot of shite ones.

See I get that but it's odd it draws such an extreme response from me.

I also love Kareoke.

It's weird

I think I'm with you. It's the constant tension of anticipating a song breaking out. As soon as the dialogue turns slightly stilted - 'you know, Marjorie, the sky is kinda starry tonight... THE SKKKYYYY WHEN WE MEEEEEEEET IS LIKE STARDUST IN MY FACE, etc, etc' - I start bracing.

That's only in MGM classics though, and I can forgive a lot in the name of formation tapping.

I like lots of different kinds of music but also hate musicals. They just seem so naff - people bursting into song all over the place. Same with opera - hate it with a passion.

I also get tense when figure skaters do that slow backwards skating/anxious over-the-shoulder glancing that foreshadows a Big Jump.

How do you feel about opera?

@PancakeBae

I think I'm with you. It's the constant tension of anticipating a song breaking out. As soon as the dialogue turns slightly stilted - 'you know, Marjorie, the sky is kinda starry tonight... THE SKKKYYYY WHEN WE MEEEEEEEET IS LIKE STARDUST IN MY FACE, etc, etc' - I start bracing.

That's only in MGM classics though, and I can forgive a lot in the name of formation tapping.

This made me laugh

I think I have a little bit of snobbery with it, almost like the songs are often quite childlike and it's all a smoke screen to distract from crap acting and bad writing.

I was thinking of watching Cyranno but turns out that's a bloody musical.

Oddly, I've always loved Grease.

Yabvvvu.

I do concede there are some shite musicals, but I can’t get enough of Musicals such as Matilda, Billy Elliot, Mama Mia, I recently saw The Fishermans Friends musical and it was fab, I was still singing the songs a week later. 🤣

Easily.

Musicals are a pretty specific thing. You're either into them or not.

I love music and films and also hate musicals.

The pause where you know a song is coming and that it will be another 5 mins before the story progresses. And the way they over enunciate the words. Can't stand it.

actually I did enjoy mama Mia but I think it's because you can tell they all think it's a bit silly and I was weened on ABBA so it's the memories thing.

Opera ... mmm I've never seen one so can't say however I think I would appreciate the sheer force of nature that is the opera voice and how rare it is for humans to be able to hit and maintain some of those high and low notes.

The pause where you know a song is coming and that it will be another 5 mins before the story progresses. And the way they over enunciate the words. Can't stand it.

////

Yes, this I can relate to. It's like the spell has been broken.

I was thinking about this the other night. I would also say I hate musicals but what's the definition of a musical?

I watched The Blues Brothers the other night. I love that film. Is that a musical? It's got singing in it!

I like opera (some).

I only like very few musicals but it's because they have very strong standalone songs. It's the 'showyness' on most musicals I can't cope with, the sentimental and hammy schmaltz. A lot have crap songs as well.

@Cottagepieandpeas

I was thinking about this the other night. I would also say I hate musicals but what's the definition of a musical?

I watched The Blues Brothers the other night. I love that film. Is that a musical? It's got singing in it!

I like opera (some).

See I think that's a Film With Songs In and it's different. Like The Commitments.

It doesn't help that most of the people I know IRL who like musicals are evangelical about them. To the point of being annoying, like they're determined to convert me.

Its because you like music OP. The music in the majority of musicals is crap. Whereas the music in greese and blues brothers is actually alright, hence their popularity.

The worst culprits are the musicals where there is no speaking at all and a normal sentence is ridiculously song in what appears to be any old chuffing tune.

If it's childlike songs that put you off try Hamilton

I think I may have found some of my people.

You may be right that it's because music is such a big deal to me.

Ahhh, I'm glad I started this thread, I don't feel as odd now it's not just me!

I completely agree with you op.
They are just excruciating 😬

Some musicals can be very contrived. It's very tedious and cringy when what should he a very quick moment is draaaaagged out a whole song and dance.
Like Troy McClure in the planet of the apes musical...

*I think I have a little bit of snobbery with it, almost like the songs are often quite childlike and it's all a smoke screen to distract from crap acting and bad writing.

I was thinking of watching Cyranno but turns out that's a bloody musical.

Oddly, I've always loved Grease*.

I think you might be me op 🤷‍♀️

I did not know there is a Planet of the Apes musical! that's fantastic

It’s because they’re shite.

I agree with all of your sensations, especially “butt cheek clench”

It's like restless leg syndrome but in ones arse!

Have you seen ‘War of the World’s’ musical? That’s pretty epic, especially if you can go to the live show.

How do you feel about Disney films? Or tv specials like Buffy the vampire slayer (they got - the mustard - out!) or Crazy ex girlfriend?