The Musical – Review

Elementary school Drama teacher Doug Leibowitz (Brill) had a long life of missed connections with women before finally (and secretly) dating fellow instructor Abigail Morris (Jacobs) last year. But… then she just needed some time! It’s now been eight weeks, a touch long for a break… Good thing it’s a fresh school year now, and a great chance for a new start and second chances.

Doug also has his eye on a Fellowship in New York also, a big time move up in the world. Maybe he can write them a stellar entry essay… Too bad the extremely douchey Principal Michael Brady (Lowe) interrupts him about an expired parking pass. After a quick convo it’s time to fixate again on the pretty Abigail Morris, and how to win her heart back!

Abigail however has other thoughts about the pair’s recoupling. She admits to Doug that she has found someone else and moved on. It’s Michael. This shatters Doug’s world. Ohhhh no. As this forgotten man processes this earth shattering event, he realizes that sometimes this is just a part of life.

But… is he done lashing out at the world? No! What about the power of theater? Maybe he can find a play to put on with the kids that will surprise and shock the school! And he can get that fellowship, hit up Broadway and live the new and amazing life in New York!!

The Musical presents a tough to process comedy which is fairly nuanced and does deliver quite a lot of humor. The main character is one that plenty of guys will connect with: they have minimal experience with women, and once given an opportunity at a relationship, overwhelm their partners and don’t quite connect. They don’t mean to push people away, but also it can be overwhelming and go overboard.

Doug however is not presented as a bumbling idiot, or an asshole, or a controlling or needy loser, but he does make typical mistakes all humans do. While he may be seen as a bit plain, he is also introspective and reactive, and clearly has intelligence and large emotions, yet is also a bit petty and jealous. This complex and relatable character has enough good about him to connect with, and enough neurotic behavior to feel real.

The Musical’s humor won’t find everyone’s heart, but I liked plenty of its awkward or observational jokes. While peoples’ behaviors are slightly over the top, often they are far too true and give an edge to some of the comedy. The acting between the main trio of Brill, Jacobs and Lowe really make the show, but the kids help bring some shine to it all with good performances.

There is something very human about this film, even with over-the-top jokes and exaggerations. While it may move a touch slow, it’s worth it for the end musical play performance alone.

“The super power of the theater is the element of surprise!”