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Second thing for Zac Efron's birthday: he's doing some real superstar-wattage stuff in GREATEST SHOWMAN - like, old-school movie star stuff - and "movie stars" are often underestimated or not really paid close attention to or valued properly. /1
For example in "Rewrite the Stars" - he and Zendaya turn themselves into the Platonic Ideal (in the classical definition of it) of not just romance - but what romance FEELS like. A perfect symbolic pas de deux. Also: he allows himself to swoon for her. That's real power.
Maybe it's because he's a dancer. He understands what having a body means and what his body looks like and how to move it through space to communicate what's happening. Emotionally.
I have 2 things to say about the final number. He takes over as ringmaster, dancing side by side with Zendaya - surrounded by fireballs/jugglers/dancers - but as he's dancing he is TOTALLY focused on her. Eyes on her. Checking in. Intimacy.
This kind of effortlessly romantic silent communication btw 2 people was so much a part of partner dancing in old Hollywood movies - the romance isn't in the words, it's in being side by side, in each others' arms, enjoying creating this thing together, BEING together.
In the big finale he - ZE - a big star - does not forget about his partner. His partner is the main source of his joy. It's almost like they're alone on the stage. And one final observation and this is suuuuuuper granular and will involve you pausing a YouTube video:
For reference: here's the clip to the final number, the reprise of "The Greatest Show":
When Jackman gives him the hat - and he runs into the ring (2 min. mark) - the scene explodes. It already was exploding - but his excitement - IN his body - that's the only way he can communicate it - lightning bolts of excitement out of his fingers - takes it next level.
to reiterate, his excitement is twofold: 1. He is excited to be ringmaster. 2. He is in love. ZE makes his entry into the ring about both. it's what romance FEELS like. This is "representative" acting - very hard to do. You MUST mean it. Otherwise you'd look like a total asshole.
Now here's the really granular part: Quick moment, gone in a flash: full shot of him around 2:03/4 ( during the "runnin' the night" lyric): It's not just what he's doing but who he's BEING that is so exciting. Soooo jazz-hands show-biz. HUGE smile. RIGHT at us.
And he is not embarrassed. He's going for the cheap seats. In my world that is usually a compliment. Care about the cheap seats. Give a shit whether or not you REACH us. Try try try to REACH us. His smile in that tiny moment is one of the many reasons why I love and respect him.
