They could've done what Lin Manuel Miranda did with In The Heights. He had a minor role, that showed up here and there and another actor played Usnavi. Made so much sense and really gave the movie a bit of a difference to the show, in a good way. I don´t know who Ben could've played, cuz I don´t know the show well enough, but if he really HAD to be in the movie, they could've done that.

I kept picturing Andrew Barth Feldman in the role and realised how much more sympathy I’d have for the entire situation if I genuinely believed it was a teenager making these mistakes and not a grown man

I hate that they went out of their way to give Connor his own song in the third act in an attempt to establish him as his own character and person.... and then ended the film with Evan singing that song. They still found a way to make CONNORS OWN SONG about Evan.

The omission of Anybody Have A Map was the biggest mistake of the whole movie. It’s world building in its purest form and without it we’re just expected to know where we are and who’s who. It also robbed Conner of his story. I think Amy Adams played the role straight and it’s the only way she could have played it but that raw grief juxtaposed with the more stage presentation of the other characters makes it jarring. In essence I think Amy was too good for the movie material but would love to see her play the part on stage. Finally, I think this shower Evan at his most unlikeable. They should have fleshed him out more in movie form. He just wasn’t kind in this version of him.

“His dad is a lead producer and he bought the rights so that Ben could play the role before he aged out of it, which, by the way, Marc Platt, he already did” I think that’s the biggest issue with the mindset that Ben HAD to play Evan. Ben was pushing it when he was playing Evan on Broadway when he was like 23/24, so now that he’s 27 playing a 17 year old, it’s even LESS convincing. Even if they had rushed this movie out right after the show premiered so that Ben was young enough where he could convincingly play Evan, it wouldn’t have worked.

“This movie wouldn’t have been made without me”….then maybe it shouldn’t have been made. 😬

I think part of the problem was having actors around Ben who do look young. If they did what they did with The Politician and hired actors who look a similar age to him, I think it would've worked better. Plus what they did with Ben's hair kinda set him up. I feel like it makes him look even older. Overall though i will say that I didn't hate the film either. Not the best movie musical I've seen but definitely not the worst either.

Ben Platt is taking the criticism too personally and fails to realize he just doesn’t fit the role well anymore lol which is OKAYYY, literally it’s part of growing up and moving forward in your career. But the arrogance is too strong and really does end up taking away from Evan the character

Hot take to break in a glove is a good song and though I understand they had to be very selective because of time, people need to stop acting like it’s boring and useless. Evan’s lack of a relationship with his real dad and seeing Larry’s character shine through is very important and the message of that song reigns supreme. They kind of communicated some of this with that short baseball glove scene but I wishfully hoped they would include more of the moral as well

“disappear” is a better song than “you will be found,” imo, and speaks way more to the actual subject of the show than the feel-good sugarcoating most of the marketing for the show has focused on

wish they would have just released the live stage recording instead of trying to force a movie out of something that seems to work better on stage

I was so hoping they'd use the movie as an opportunity to tie up the loose ends the show has but it sounds like they didn't. I've always felt that Connor's family had a really interesting and complex story to tell. We got a little cheated out of an authentic resolution to their conflicts because they were all "solved" with Evan's lies. I'd hoped the movie might have circled back a bit at the end to show how Connor's family is actually remembering Connor now that they know Evan's version wasn't real.

One of the big issues is that we don't really see anyone else's perspective. Anybody have a map, disappear and good for you in particular show the audience the scope of what Evan is doing by showing us what everyone else is thinking. By eliminating their points of view it unintentionally softens the severity of the situation.

While you can get away with hiring older actors to play teenagers on stage, it's less plausible on film, since the wide close up shots and make up choices make Platt look his actual age!

I wonder how much better this film would’ve been if it was animated and not live action. Think about it: Ben could reprise his role without any setbacks More of the og cast also could’ve reprised their roles There could’ve been much more elaboration on the Murphy family and Connor because creative liberties could’ve been taken They could use the book as reference, since the book does elaborate on a lot of things. Nothing would need to get cut out IDK, it’s just a thought, but I do wonder what could’ve been done differently.

Your take about us seeing Ben not Evan is an INCREDIBLE TAKE!

I was in high school when this musical was popular. I was also struggling with undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder with anxiety aspects. When I first got interested in the show, I was obsessed, but for all the wrong reasons. I was more interested in the idea of Connor that Evan presented. I wanted to create my own version of Connor that I could turn into whatever I wanted. So I wrote fanfiction about Evan and Connor, I projected my gender identity and sexuality onto the characters. I was falling into the same trap as the characters who weren't Evan in the show. Because that's what people did: They turned Connor into an idea. Someone they could project onto rather than a real, living human being who died. And the movie, in my opinion, made this so much worse. They didn't develop Connor at all, not even a little bit. They wanted him to represent all the people who died by suicide instead of being a real person. And the fact that we learn next to nothing about him is kinda messed up in my opinion. I understand that we don't know anything about him because Evan doesn't, but the movie (and the show too to a lesser extent) gave me the feeling of "if you take your own life, maybe good will come of it and you will help other people not feel so alone because of the idea of you". I remember there were several times during my DEH obsession where I thought about how if one person doing something so extreme could help prevent other people from hurting themselves, why shouldn't I? That's just my view on it, though.

it would have been great to see Ben mentoring someone younger and not well known into the role of Evan... like imagine that? You were totally right about how his arrogance carried into people disliking the movie/character.

I have to agree that Ben Platt was a complete mistake and the perceived arrogance has put me off, this is from someone who loves the on stage Dear Evan Hansen. The removal of Does Anyone Have a Map, Disappear and Good for You are criminal although Disappear was kind of forced on by changing Alana's character completely. Personally I think they could have given a nod to Ben as they were clearly happy to change parts of the story, perhaps they could have cast him as Dr Sherman a relatively junior psychiatrist even the Hansen's money who could guide Evan two or three times and be used as a way of underlining how he's struggling to speak up about the mistaken identity of the note etc, and have someone of the right age in the role of Evan. I don't really think having the redemption arc helped much and probably explains why on stage they don't do it as they want the audience to leave emotional and raw, not add 15 minutes on beyond so big so small and lose that.

One thing I did like about the DEH stage show was the use of Connor in that he became a voice in Evan's head and became a symbol for Evan's idealization of him and Evan's lies. And I felt that the Broadway production made that very very clear and used it as a tool to show us Evan's mental state (especially in act 2 with the "did you fall or did you let go" moment). But they completely cut out so much of Connor in the movie that they don't get to use him as much because they were far too focused on the realism of it. Also the Broadway show emphasized the guilt and emotions that the parents felt, and the movie just....... ignores so much of that.

Ok what you said about “if I could tell her” is so true. It’s such a pretty song but once you listen to the lyrics you’re like oh shit this is soooo problematic

“I did think, at the end of the song, that Jared didn’t need to be there.” I feel like Jared doesn’t have friends as well but he’s too proud to admit it. That’s why he tagged along with Evan and Connor in Sincerely, Me.

I definitely think what makes the West End production feel better is the fact you can 100% believe Sam Tutty is a high school teenager. The suspension of disbelief isn’t a stretch, whereas with Ben it’s a chasm

If anyone wants to see Ben Platt in a great role where you can see his talent showcased well, obviously The Politician is great, but he's in an episode of the new BJ Novak show, The Premise, and he's amazing. I wish he hadn't done this role, he's so talented, and his music is phenomenal, and its just a bummer to see him get dragged so much.

THANK YOUU for bringing up the point about how bad of a move it was to remove anybody have a map. I’m sorry the way they opened with waving through a window and the camera direction was 💀😭

I think his father buying the rights and letting his son play the role is telling enough lol Ben Platt is talented of course but it’s just another one of those “film/theatre being manipulated by power and money” stitch. The role literally could’ve gone to anyone else, it’s off-putting seeing him on screen for this movie

“They gave him an old lady’s perm” I didn’t see it until she said that! 😂 Also that tik tok marketing makes me so uncomfortable

YES, I completely agree with the casting issue! Evan's young age is absolutely central to being able to establish sympathy for his character IMO! so even though we see adults play teenagers all the time, a lot of that is in media in which teenagers behave like adults 80% of the time (think basically every teen CW drama ever) and their age is more a byproduct of a setting (high school) than a part of their story. I was so wishing they would cast a young unknown actor for this part.

While it did feel a little out of place, I actually did like the way they used that flashback of him running in the park. To me it really emphasized how badly he wanted to repress that memory, how each time he changed the story he wanted so badly for it to be true and for people to believe him that he kind of made himself believe it. Until we finally see the real version.

My personal issue was how awfully cliche the directional approach was. For example, during Requiem, you could tell where the bridge was going directionally, that she'd eventually have to break, and then she'd dramatically say 'That I knew' when the car was stopped, it just made me roll my eyes with how obvious it was. This happened a lot in the film. In my opinion, this film showed how flawed the plot of DEH is as a show, Sincerely Me had ALWAYS made me feel uncomfortable despite how popular it was, and this film SHOWED how uncomfortable the song and plot is

“Old ladies perm” 😂😂😂 Amy, me and Linford are crying 😂😂😂

i wish they'd filmed it hamilton / old cats style - the way its staged adds so much to the weight of it. waving is so weird with him singing to noone - on stage he shares it with the audience so you're on his side? idk and they cut my two fave songs ha.

I think you said everything I was thinking. The number one problem with me for this is besides Ben Platt the removed the songs that help fix the story and give each character more screen time. For example besides skipping the opening number they skipped Good For You where Evan gets a lot of backlash from three of the biggest people in his life and you can tell it hurts him and that Alana Jared and Heidi are hurt deeply by his actions. (To break in a glove though was a good cut in my opinion)

anybody have a map is such a good introduction to the characters and story, I have no clue why they cut it (mad about good for you being cut as well)

12:08 i couldn’t agree more with you!!! My God, everybody needs to hear that, I’m sick and tired of people being like “he didn’t get consecuences” or “he deserved worst things”

One of the things that I agree the most with is the omission of "Anybody Have A Map" and "To Break In A Glove" to be big error on their part. They should've even include "In The Bedroom Down The Hall". Hearing the parents' side of the situation would of helped a lot and it would have given the audience a lot more to consider when evaluating the story as a whole.

Your musical theatre opinions + butterfly hair clips are everything 👏🏻👏🏻

My teacher who knows I’m a theatre kid said a few days ago “the Dear Evan Hansen movie’s coming out soon!” and I went “cool! I have no intention of watching it!” so this review is all I’m gonna watch 😅

Platt sinks the movie but so do the editing choices and directing. Perhaps with a more competent director, tighter script and another lead this could have worked. This was one of my most anticipated movies of the year and IMHO it was not very good which is a major pity considering the talent attached to the film.

Your cat behind you is the remake of the Cats movie we all need.

Although I really love the soundtrack, I was never really comfortable with the storyline. Evan basically lies to and manipulates a grieving family for his own personal gain, and never suffers any reprucussions for any of this, and is forgiven by everyone, especially by Zoe.

Now that I’ve seen this film (but haven’t seen the stage show yet) I’m so surprised by how much people seem to focus on ONLY Evan’s behavior. The film is very clearly a story of how people act in desperation. Of course Evan is the worst but they’re all making manipulative choices. Connor’s parents using Evan as an emotional crutch to avoid the truth of how they couldn’t save their son (this story wouldn’t happen if they, as adults, wouldn’t have put the weight of their relationship with their dead son on a kid they’d never met). Zoe is using Evan as an escape to avoid processing grief. Alana uses Connor’s death so she can have her hands in another accomplishment for her own self worth and then shares a private note so that she doesn’t feel like a failure for not reaching that goal. Ben’s mom also feels really self-focused in the film and was actually my least favorite character (but maybe that’s a personal thing haha). THAT BEING SAID, I really thought the story is well done and unique and feels plausible. Stories can be about problematic people and be interesting stories (*cough* breaking bad, dexter *cough*). I just can’t stand how everyone puts so much focus on only Evan’s actions just because he’s the lead character, i wish it was a bigger discussion about poor choices while dealing with grief, loneliness, and mental illness instead of JUST “Evan is a psychopathic liar.” I appreciate your opinions and you pointed out a lot of good points on the direction, editing, and cinematography of the film that I hadn’t thought of yet. Overall I did still like it and I actually liked Ben’s intense acting and kinda wish everyone else would have amped it up because to me they didn’t feel “real” but rather they felt flat. BUT Evan’s character had a lot more to work with so I don’t think it’s the actors fault’s but probably the screenplay, the direction, and/or the fact that the focus is on Evan.

“Hunched over and quivered his lips a bit more” HAHAHA LITERALLY!!!

the director of the deh movie also wrote the screenplay for the rent movie. everything makes so much more sense now.

The problems of Dear Evan Hansen in the stage play (same w/Rent) were always present. The movie just exacerbated those problems tenfold (also same w/Rent)

I hate how the POC were done dirty with this film. If Larry was going to be played by a person of color they could have easily made Zoe and Conner biracial. Also, Alana could have been played by a dark skinned black girl instead of Amandla Stenberg (again, it’s the COLORISM for me) also, I don’t like the way Ben Platt was acting while this movie was being promoted. Let’s be honest, if his father wasn’t a producer for this film, Ben wouldn’t have even played Evan again

the "I originated the role, it's mine" thing reminds me of Idina Menzel, who keeps saying she should play Elphaba in the Wiched movie. Sure, she originated the role and she's iconic, but I think actors need to accept that as you age, you age out of certain roles. Just like Ben Platt isn't convincing as a teen anymore, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth wouldn't be convincing as college students... BUT! As you age out of certain roles, you can step into others! I love what Lin Manuel Miranda did with In The Heights: he likely knew Usnavi couldn't be played by his 40 year old self, so he gave it to Anthony Ramos who was fantastic, but he still appear as the Piraguero. I would love to see a simmilar thing with Wicked: get Idina Menzel to play Elphaba's Mother in the opening song, or have her and Kristin be Emerald City officials!! I think DEH could have done a simmilar thing! Why not have Ben Platt make a smaller appearance as a teacher, as a park ranger, or even as Dr Sherman, Evan's therapist?? Anyways, just my thoughts as a 17 year old actor who is very mad about having aged out of playing Gavroche in Les Mis... :)

“Good for you” is one of my favourite songs from the show and I was crushed to hear that it was cut from the film

I'm so so sad Disappear got cut, literally one of the most powerful and underrated songs on the soundtrack

If anyone wants to see a good movie musical that came out in 2021, watch everybody's talking about Jamie! Highly recommend it!

Of every review I've seen for this movie (and I must admit I've seen a fair chunk lol), by far I agree with you the most! Been feeling so conflicted about this show for years and now especially with the movie I'm so glad you articulated it so well!

I feel like i'm in the minority that really enjoyed the film. But I do wish the film had righted the wrong that the stage version did by having actual consequences for Evan's actions. As I was watching, I was wishing so hard that they would make a Next To Normal adaptation with Amy Adams playing Diana. She was SO good and broke my heart. But I can see why people don't like the show or the film. But as someone who related so much to Evan (except for the lying part about him), I connected to the film and the music.

Wait! They cut "Does anybody have a map", "Dissapear" and "Good for you" Girl, really! Literally those are part of my favorite songs from the musical and was wondering how they would look on screen. This is so sad news. I wasn't expecting much from this movie and it seems I might've been right

"This wouldn't have been made without me." Okay. It is true. Had Ben not worked so hard to make the role what it was, this show may not have garnered the accolades it did and probably wouldn't have been as huge as it was/is on Broadway. So yes, in a manner of speaking, without the work of Ben Platt, "Dear Evan Hanson", the movie we know now, may not have been made. So it's not an incorrect statement, however the implications of the statement make him appear to be incredibly egotistical.

That "Sincerely me" stuff is like when people on TikTok used "All you wanna do" from Six to say "my boyfriend is so cool" without knowing the context of the song... but this time, instead of clueless teens who made it, was the company itself 🤦‍♂️

When I found out they cut my 2 favourite songs from the movie because the director didnt want to focus too much on the parents and just wanted to focus on Evan I already knew there was going to be a problem. Anybody Have a Map really kicks off the whole thing but I also love Good For You for showing the damage Evan's doing even before he's found out like. the pain his mom and his friend are in when they're tossed aside for a lie. Like I might have bothered to try and watch it and ignore Ben's old face playing 17 for Amy and Julianne actually getting moments but, making the story focus even more on an already unlikeable character, not interested

I was so sad when they cut out the OPENING SONG. Anybody Have A Map, the movie just felt incomplete when they cut out Ben's mom struggle, and tbh Sincerely Me, is just alot better on Broadway with Will Rolland.

I appreciate your approach to discussing your issues with the film. The bit that I believe countless reviewers are missing is that audience’s choice to ignore the cruel plot line in favor of connection to characters & songs that relate to them in some way. The show has been cathartic for me, and I’m clearly not alone.

Omg "I don't need to see him running across that lil bridge again" 😂💀

I haven’t seen the film yet but I feel like you explained that very well, this is kind of all I was scared of for this movie, I thought you did a great job rationalising all that stuff. One thing I keep thinking about is how much Ben Platt is beloved for his role on stage (for a reason, he’s great!), and how much he doesn’t work for the movie version. The reason, for me, is that a stage musical and a movie are completely different mediums! You don’t act the same way on stage as you do for a camera because the audience doesn’t see the same things, the focus of a scene and the scale of a scene changes with its medium. I’m not saying Ben Platt can’t act for film, because he can, but some body language, expressions etc that can be « exaggerated » on stage, just don’t translate to film. On stage, the audience is further away, and you need to share emotions in a bigger way for it to be felt, and it is accompanied by lighting cues, movement etc, because you can’t control where the audience will look otherwise. In film, each shot is a specific choice made by the director, you’re already guided through what you need to be looking at, so the emotions etc can be more subtle. Anyway, all this to say, I think Ben Platt went into this thinking he would just play Evan as he’s used to, when in reality the role needed a real rework in order to function for film Mistakes were made! Anyway ahahah great video!

I just want more pro shots, honestly. I watched come form away yesturady and it was amazing. And I saw deh on the west end just before lockdown and it was so good... The staging is amazing and I feel like a movie version would just feel off. Am I gonna watch it? Maybe, because now I need to see just how bad it is for myself after seeing it staged.

no cuz everything in this video is so incredibly well said

Really unrelated - I ADORE THE BUTTERFLY CLIPS

i love your butterfly clips! they’re super cute.

I really love your takes, you always have grace and nuance in how you approach especially divisive topics. I agree 100% with what you said, especially with the conflation of Ben and Evan which has heightened the criticism of Evan/musical.

The way that they cut Does Anybody Have A Map 😤 it was one of the best songs

Honestly in my opinion their biggest mistake was cutting out anybody have a map and good for you. The movie made Evan more sympathetic and while I liked that it felt like there was a more concrete resolution at the end compared to the musical, it made people easily forget just how terrible Evans actions were. Plus it really was a shame they cut some of heidis performances considering how powerful her scenes were in the Broadway show. I believe DEH could still be properly adapted to a movie though, just... not like this? Idk i thought the editing during the performances felt lazy?just cutting back and forth between characters faces? Maybe its the stage show bias for me but I dunno maybe I just like the more agonizing performances in the show more?. It also leaves a bad taste in my mouth that ben platt would say he made the character and imply nobody else could play it like he does-idk it feels like its discrediting the other actors who played evan?

So first time stumbling on this channel because I am new to watching Dear Evan Hansen and I liked it but found it to be off and I couldn't point to why. Amy has done an absolutely wonderful job pointing to the reasons I felt a disconnect. Where as most reviews just said how much they hated it for reasons I felt were a bit harsh. Honestly very happy I stumbled on to this video

I've never seen the musical so I went into this movie not knowing what it was about or any preconceived notion as to what to expect. I will say this: I'm at the movies nearly every weekend and this was my favorite movie I've seen in 2021. In The Heights is a close 2nd. Dear Evan Hansen was amazing!!

I think the over saturation of Ben Platt is also an issue. Like damn, give some other actors a chance.

you don’t understand how fast i clicked when i saw you posted LMAOO

ANDREW BARTH FELDMAN SHOULD’VE BEEN CASTED AS EVAN HANSEN!!!!! And can I just say, I listened to the new soundtrack… Words fail sounds more generic, Like he was just singing the song with barely no emotion. It made me feel kinda bummed not sob like the original Broadway version did. And I can say the same as many of the other songs.

just watched this movie with my mom and brother. personally, i loved it. the changes i heard early on kinda biased me before i watched it, but i think you should give it a shot if you like the musical

that girl doing a tiktok dance to sincerely me has the same energy as that ad addison rae did to a song about eating disorders

See, I’m actually in the camp of people who really enjoyed the movie. I’m confused by the audience members who have SEEN the OG show and are surprised by the story, because it’s so close to the original, in terms of the events that transpire, so I’m not sure why they’re so shocked. With all that being said, I agree with nearly everything you just said. I don’t think this movie is as bad as some people are saying, but I definitely see what you mean about a non-musical world where characters SING vs a musical world where characters LIVE. That was such an excellent way of saying something that I couldn’t quite articulate before, and it’s true! I guess that would be a big part of why the movie is somewhat more off-putting than the stage one. And I’m also really glad you said that Evan is already at rock bottom at the end! I always laugh when people ARE like, HE DESERVED TO SUFFER FOR WHAT HE DID! And I’m like, I mean, isn’t he already doing that? It’s not like he gets a happy ending. Is he supposed to be euthanized?? No!! 😂 anyways, I thought you made a lot of valid points, and respectfully so! ❤️

I'm still bitter about the songs that were taken out. It gets rid of a lot of context.

Cute hair and gorgeous makeup! Great, helpful review 🥰

Thank you for such a nuanced, lovely take :) would love to hear your thoughts on Everybody's talking about Jamie

I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm really happy for Colton Ryan, Isaac Powell and Demarius Copes. I'm glad Broadway actors get to have a part in this. I would have LOVED cameos from the OG cast (in the heights did it so well), but I'm not sure they support the movie? I've seen no mention on their socials.

You are very well spoken and discussed this beautifully. I haven’t had the opportunity to watch any of the musicals or the movie but I love it when movie musicals change things slightly as an appreciation of the original. However I feel like dear Evan Hansen didn’t do that and I mean cutting Disappear, good for you and Anybody have a map?!?! I looovvve those songs

great review, loved hearing your thoughts! i'm still on the fence about seeing the film as i've never seen the stage production and from the sounds of it, the stage production is much better. i’m really keen to see it on the west end and to see sam tutty play evan!

Another reason it really sucks they cut Anybody Have a Map is that it shows what life was like for Connor and his family, whereas without it we only get to meet the Murphy’s through their interactions with Evan

I wish they would have done like Hamilton, and released a stage recording rather than motion picture. But honestly, I love this movie, and this show, and have nothing bad to say about it

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again “You will be found” is a Christian Rock song with blatant references to god or Jesus omitted.

Gotta say, I entered expecting something hideous and I went out having seen something mediocre(? Could've been better, but not straight out bad as everyone makes it out to be, it's not the worst adaptation

I'm watching this bc I only trust Amy to review this movie😌

You said that everybody’s talking about dear Evan hansen but you know who everybody is not talking about? Jamie! We need more hype around an actual good musical adaptation that got overshadowed

My day has gotten even better thanks to you! 😍

Good point about the repercussions for Evan. I never thought of it like that.

what i really like about this review is the musical aspect of it. like many reviewers are making the same points, about the age thing, about the alana plot, about the cut songs, yadayada, and i love that someone who understands musicals -- amy -- gives a review from a musical stand-point.

it will be interesting to see if the movie being negatively received will kill the live theatre version. Seems to be a trend here in the states.

So I’ve never seen the stage musical. I watched this movie shortly after I lost my brother and this movie touched me and helped me with my grief. I think there were things that could have been done better but as a movie for someone who has lost someone especially a sibling, really moving.

I would love to see your opinions on everybody's talking about Jamie

On the singing bit being weird on the times they sing, that is so true. I watched it with people who never saw the musical and we were laughing when it randomly started happening and my friend Caden was so thrown off everytime.

Does this make him box office poison enough that we won’t have to see him as Fieyro in Wicked?

The movie version even more so than the show seemed like it had a very different message at least from a marketing standpoint. Like I saw the show with Ben in it way back when, but my takeaway was "Oh this person did a terrible thing and I'm meant to have sympathy for him, but I'm also meant to recognize this is a super weird, messed up situation." But like with the Tik Tok messaging, it's like the movie thinks he's doing a good thing and that is confusing.

Jeez Louise, this sounds like a mess... Thank you for your review Amy! Here in France, we'll have to wait until December to form an opinion. However, after listening to the movie's soundtrack, I was left a little unconvinced; some songs fell kind of flat. But, it's better to judge after seeing the movie so judgement reserved. I do like your take on the removal of Anybody Have a Map! It hadn't occured to me that without it we aren't musically introduced to most of the cast. And getting rid of Disappear seemed like a bad idea, it really pulls the plot together in the musical. From your review, it doesn't sound like Alana's new song has the same effect, or the same chaotic energy. As for the Ben Platt case, well. Well... Well.

Oh my god I’m so glad you also noticed the lack of a score, like there were so many times where I was like “Why is it dead silent right now 💀”

I really love the novel. One reason is we get to know Connor MORE than either the play or the movie. We actually MISS the character in the novel.

Amy, I trust your reviews so much! Thanks for sharing