The Greatest Showman was to me an inspiring musical that was a visually inspiring period piece depicting the origins of the circus. But it's not about the circus, and I think those who get wrapped up in the historical attributes of Barnum and the ongoing controversies of animal treatment in circuses are missing the deep message this film presents. The Greatest Showman is about the people.
Defining the theme of a drama like this with many characters each seeking to overcome their own shackles, whether real or imagined, is challenging. If I was going to try and sum up the beautiful lessons in this story, I suppose it would be overcoming covetousness on a path of self fulfillment.
The characters present an amazing tapestry of human discontentment and prejudice with each longing to be something they're not instead of breaking free of the preconception of success that they hold. The setting of the early days of the circus where political correctness was not even on the radar allows bold contrasts in personal challenges, yet they all seem to want the same happiness and acceptance... which is success.
Hugh Jackman plays a poor tailor's boy who's father serves the affluent and influential. His discontentment with his position in society leads him to pursue success, and when he fails through conventional jobs, despite his hard work, he turns to his dreams... yet never lets go of the goal of wealth, which ends up poisoning his real success. What starts out, arguably as exploitation of those with various physical differences (short people, bearded lady, corpulent guy, conjoined twins) to be a piece of living art, with people paying to gawk at the oddities. (He had failed initially with a museum filled with the unusual because it wasn't stimulating). But as the show progresses, you find that Jackman's Barnum has an affinity for these societal outcasts, daring to look past their appearance and meeting the real individuals within. In return, they accept not only the opportunity to make some money, but his growing kindness and the sense of family he creates. Each of these people, jeered in public, become important to each other and people come to watch them perform.
Possibly one of the most painful reveals in the film for me was that among those being mistreated and searching for a home in the circus, people of African decent were forced into the same situation. While inexcusable, we all have probably seen someone with profound physical differences, maybe from birth, or from an accident, that makes us double take. In that instant, we have categorized them as something different because of their looks. The fantastic movie "Wonder" continues that theme with powerful messages of it's own. But to look back on a time (Think movies such as Red Tails, The Help, 12 Years A Slave, and many more) such as depicted in The Greatest Showman where being dark skinned was equally as distasteful in public. And while we undoubtedly have progressed greatly... have we progressed nearly enough?
And it is this backdrop of racism which allows another interesting image of discontentment, ironically depicted by a man who is among the "Swell" with riches and power, who sees happiness and success from another angle, contrasting the goals of Barnum. He becomes willing to give up the whiskey and the parties among the elite to seek for happiness among the curious and eclectic performers... and in so doing, finds friendship and love. This love, with an African American acrobat is in defiance of his family and his culture. But it sets him free.
As imagined, Barnum makes some mistakes and is lead astray by a chance to pursue his youth goal of affluence and prestige with what society would consider a "respectable" performer, while being blind to the fact that he had already found happiness for his family, his new friends, and even himself. Predictably he comes full circle to help cement the idea that we shouldn't be pursuing artificial benchmarks of success, but rather we should focus on the happiness and love in our lives, and be comfortable labeling that success.
I've long believed that the Norman Rockewell type depiction of the American Dream is damaging. Many in our world walk with scars, real or imagined. They feel displaced and unappreciated, maybe even despised. And sadly, there are those who do despise them, and are vocal enough that this is what they carry with them whenever they venture into public. We really do treat people horribly. Many don't have two parent homes. Many have families that look different than these classic paintings with a mom and a dad and a dog and a station wagon. And as long as we continue to promote success as the house and the picket fence and the two kids and the car in the garage, we stifle the beautiful kaleidoscope of diversity which so vividly mimics the diversity in nature around us.
We have vast deserts and lush rain forests, neither better than the other. We have deep ocean realms filled with exotic creatures and the surface of planets we dream of walking. Likewise, we have people from different places, cultures, faith backgrounds who enjoy different foods and drinks and methods of singing and dancing. None better than the other. Instead of pursuing limited and sometimes enslaving societal goals, if we can love one another, we may find we don't enjoy that cuisine, or that we don't dance as well to that music... but how much greater are we for having tried and for accepting those who do.
The Greatest Showman was based on relationships, both between people, but also the relationships the characters had with themselves. Many wanted success the way society portrayed it. White people with top hats and starched shirts and elegant boring parties. But when the characters each began to find comfort with themselves, accepting their own uniqueness and pushing aside the oppressive influence of the masses, they found success. Isn't it time we stop lamenting the cards we've dealt just because they aren't a good poker hand and start playing Uno with them? Or Go Fish... or Rummy? As we celebrate the talents and gifts we have, and begin to share them with those around us, we can build community, and in so doing, we can leave the "swells" behind.