Come Alive: No more livin’ in those shadows.

“For years and years
I chased their cheers
The crazy speed of always needing more
But when I stop
And see you here
I remember who all this was for.”

Those lyrics have haunted me since the first time I heard them.

The Greatest Showman is a 2017 musical film that tells the story of P.T. Barnum, the founder of Barnum & Bailey Circus. The movie features an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, and Zendaya. From the very beginning, the movie captivates the audience with a powerful opening song that sets the tone for the rest of the story. The Greatest Showman delivers an inspirational message about acceptance and embracing diversity. A message everyone should hear.

The movie begins with a young Barnum who grows up in poverty and dreams of making something of himself. He falls in love with a girl from a wealthy family, Charity, and they build a life together despite her father’s reservations.

Barnum isn’t a stranger to hard work, and his dreams of success lead him to start a circus featuring “freaks” and outcasts from society. At first, the circus is a success, but it eventually leads to conflict and controversy.

One of the major themes throughout the movie is acceptance. The characters are all different in their own way, but they are brought together by their differences. Barnum’s circus becomes a safe space for people who are rejected by society and are seeking acceptance. The characters face adversity from society, but they find solace in each other and in their shared love of the circus.

“When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me
Look out ’cause here I come
And I’m marching on to the beat I drum
I’m not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me”

Another theme in the movie is embracing diversity. Barnum’s circus features a diverse group of performers, including a bearded lady, a little person, and an African American trapeze artist. The movie portrays the characters as unique individuals who should be celebrated for who they are, rather than shamed for their differences. The movie encourages viewers to embrace diversity and see the beauty in what makes each of us unique.

“You think it’s easy
You think I don’t wanna run to you
But there are mountains
And there are doors that we can’t walk through
I know you’re wondering why because we’re able to be
Just you and me within these walls
But when we go outside, you’re gonna wake up and see
That it was hopeless after all”

Throughout the movie, the characters face conflicts and adversity. Barnum’s decision to feature “freaks” in his circus leads to protests and backlash from the community. The characters are forced to defend themselves on several occasions. Barnum’s ambition and desire for success lead him to neglect his family and the people who matter most to him. However, the characters overcome these challenges through their determination, resilience, and support for each other.

In the end, the characters learn valuable lessons about the importance of family, acceptance, and embracing diversity. Barnum learns that true success is not measured by wealth and fame, but by the relationships he has with the people he loves. The characters eventually realize that their differences make them unique and special, and that they should be proud of who they are.

The Greatest Showman is a memorable and engaging movie that delivers a powerful message about acceptance and embracing diversity. The characters face conflicts and adversity, but they overcome these challenges through their determination, resilience, and support for each other. The movie uses storytelling principles and concepts to deliver its message in a powerful and memorable way. The themes of acceptance and diversity are relevant in today’s society, and the movie serves as a reminder to embrace what makes us unique and celebrate our differences.

“If you haven’t been to the Barnum Museum lately, you haven’t been at the Barnum Museum.”

The Greatest Showman truly is a movie that I believe EVERYONE must see. It’s a valuable lesson to teach our children early in life so they can grow up to be accepting adults. For myself, it’s reminded me to focus less on the “stuff” in my life and more on the people, places and experiences that bring me joy.

The Greatest Showman is streaming now on Disney+