The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

My Review

“The Phantom of the Opera” is an opera musical about a reclusive man hiding in a 19th century opera house who develops a crush on Christine, one of the house’s top singers. She, however, falls in love with another man, and the Phantom, wearing a mask because of an unsightly disfigurement, enacts a plan to keep Christine by his side, with the drama proceeding from there. Director Joel Schumacher (“The Incredible Shrinking Woman” 1981) put together a magnificent film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 stage play and the 1909 novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux. Schumacher and Webber co-wrote the screenplay.

The cast includes Gerard Butler as the Phantom, Emily Rossum as the beautiful soprano Christine, and Patrick Wilson as the third member of the romantic triangle. Others include Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver, Ciaran Hands, Simon Callow, Victor McGuire, Jennifer Ellison, Murray Melvin, Ramin Karimloo, Kevin McNally, and Paul Brooke as the auctioneer.

The very watchable and engrossing “The Phantom of the Opera” was a success at the box office for producer Andrew Lloyd Webber, Odyssey Entertainment, Joel Schumacher Productions, Really Useful Films, Scion Films, and Warner Bros. Pictures. It was filmed entirely on location at Pinewood Studios in London, UK. “The Phantom” received three Oscar nods, including Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography (John Mathieson), and Best Original Song (“Learn to be Lonely,” music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart).