Date: 7th October 2017

Auxiliary material: Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, Successful Writing

Proficiency

Subject of report: The Phantom of the Opera (2004) - (the British-American musical drama
film based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, based on the famous novel with the same
name written by Gaston Leroux).

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this report is to assess the quality of the actors' performances, music and
overall impression given by a movie based on one of the best-known musicals of the present
day. However, it should be noted that, even though based on a popular novel, the following
report will ignore that aspect and not assess the exactitudeof the script and whether it followed
the actions as they were depicted in the original novel but rather the manner in which the
characters evolved in the director's vision, the impact it has on the viewers and how
everything previously mentioned blends or not with Andrew Lloyd Webber's music.

What could be 'lovelier' than a classic romance with a love triangle? Possibly one that
contains music. A trick that has been working in the industry of opera for years, with the risk
of maybe using a way too strong word, this 'cliché' is the central story in 'The Phantom of the
Opera'. What is completely different in a brilliant way is how in their simplicity, the
characters manage to be fascinating.

The story obviously takes places at the Opera Populaire where the arrival of Raoul, breaks
the initial balance. He is a young, really handsome man, who becomes the new owner of the
opera. The first important scene proves to have a great impact, as it shows one of the bizarre
accidents that occur in the building during one of the concerts, which makes the lead singer
leave. This is how, with the help of Madame Giry (ballet mistress), Christine Daaémanages to
take the spotlight and impress the crowd with Think of me, a beautiful lyrical soprano aria that
requires good agility and a certain 'sweetness'. Later, during her prayers we find out about the
existence of a certain angel of music that has been coaching Christine since she can remember
and that Raoul and Christine are childhood sweethearts. The third character, controversial and
complex in all possible ways, is the "Phantom of the Opera" himself, who has already made
his appearance during the aforementioned concert. He is the cause of all the misfortunes
happening at the opera and loves Christine deeply. He hypnotizes Christine and takes her to
his personal space in the underground where he confesses his love. I shall allow myself a little
subjectivity here due to the fact that this scene is a work of art from all points of view (I know
I shouldn't be doing this in a report) Why not? It’s allowed!. The relationship between the
characters is beautifully shown, her being controlled by the Power of the music of the night,
sudden changes in the intensity of music that describe perfectly the Phantom's personality, the
lyrics that show the dependence and obsession he has for her, the intoxication he became to
her and the perfect duet before this scene during which it shows how she is indeed the victim
of his manipulation.

He returns her afterwards to the opera house and starts threatening the staff that more
unfortunate events will happen if she doesn't get the leading roles. In one of the most romantic
duets Christine and Raoul confess their love for each other, in the beautiful words of All I ask
of you, without knowing that the Phantom is hearing everything. A few months later at a
masquerade held at the opera house, Christine and Raoul are making their appearance as an
engaged couple. However, the Phantom manages to kidnap Christine. Raoul finds out what is
the true story of the Phantom: that he was an abused child due to his deformities and that he
has been living in the opera house since Madame Giry helped him escape from the circus with
which he had been travelling. Christine visits her father's grave in the sensible tones of
Wishing you were somehow here again.The Phantom tries to trick her that he is her father's
angel but Raoul catches him and they have a first confrontation.

Christine and Raoul make a plan to stop the Phantom once and for all but that implies having
her kidnapped again. The Phantom manages to do so, Raoul follows them and the Phantom
wins the fight. He threatens Christine that if she doesn't marry him he will kill Raoul but with
a kiss she awakens real human feelings in him and leaves him her diamond ring and therefore
the Phantom allows them to leave. He then disappears. Many years later, when Raoul visits
Christine's grave he finds a red rose with a diamond ring.

CONCLUSION

Although a movie cannot possibly have the same impact as a live performance and it has
indeed the form of a simple musical, the quality of the acting and musical performance is
remarkable, not necessarily due to some incredible voice characteristics but more due to the
really intelligent way of transmitting emotions. Particularly unique is how they managed to
put some very controversial characters in a world that is ruled by etiquette and strict social
norms. They don't suppress their individuality in any way, they develop yet the substance
remains and it allows the person behind the screen to choose any side, as a 'good' or 'bad' label
does not apply. Beautifully filmed and directed, The Phantom of the Opera is definitely a film
worth watching.