The official synopsis hardly does it justice: “Into the Woods is a humorous and heartfelt musical that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.”
Hi-fidelity version here. (“What that means is that it’s the highest quality fidelity.” — Boogie Nights)
Hi so ummm what’s the song called from the instrumental in the trailer?
@rufussondheim:
You say that if the actresses get nominated for this musical, there’s no way they won’t nominate Corden?
Haha, tell that to
Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge)
Richard Gere (Chicago)
Daniel Day-Lewis (Nine)
Jamie Foxx (Dreamgirls)
One or more of their female costars got nominated, but the male lead didn’t: Jackman and Depp are exceptions, but they’re also big movie stars. Male leads in musicals just don’t get nominated anymore (for the most part). That category is always so packed that unless “Into the Woods” is on its way to win Best Picture, I can’t see how Corden gets in. And that didn’t even get Gere nominated, even though he won the Globe.
And let’s not forget: Yes, it’s from the director of Chicago. But it’s also by the director of Nine. One of the best big musicals ever made and one of the worst. “Pirates 4” doesn’t keep any hopes going. There’s a bigger chance this will be another Nine than another Chicago, especially if they try to make it more family friendly. Chicago had an edge to it. It was raunchy, it had oomph. I doubt this will have any of those. Fingers crossed, cause I SO want this to work. But I’m afraid. Really afraid. Namely because of Nine.
The film looks beautiful so I see Costumes, Make-up and Production Design nominations. If it’s good the film could get many multiple Acting nominations, like 4-5 maybe.
Musicals these days seem to be hit or miss.
I remember the anticipation and hype surrounding the release of another musical in 2004 – “The Phantom of the Opera”. It was a really great Broadway musical and played for years and years.
The studio threw a lot of money at it. But when the movie opened, it received scathing reviews and ultimately tanked, barely picking up 3 Oscar nominations in technical categories. “Into the Woods” could perhaps follow that same route. Just saying.
Ugh, yes, and Phantom was directed by the horrendous Joel Schumacher, who always cared more about how pretty things looked (the tunnel instead of Christine’s face when she hits the highest note, Batman’s nipples instead of forwarding any semblance of a plot, etc.) than making a good film.
But yes, they are typically hit or miss, with several missing in a row (Phantom, Rent, The Producers) after the first few hits (Moulin Rouge, Chicago). I think it took Hairspray and Mamma Mia to make studios breathe out again and realize that they actually have to figure out what makes the audience love these things. The cast? The songs? The story? You gotta have at least two of the three. And for this one they have the cast and I think the story. Many film viewers aren’t familiar with the songs from this show as they were with ABBA and Madonna.
Aside, doesn’t Rob Marshall always have some pop singer shoe-horned into his musicals? Mya and very nearly Britney Spears in Chicago, and Fergie in Nine. Is this the first where that’s not the case? Or did the temporary casting of Sophia Grace count? (I actually think Anna Kendrick would count, as her recording of ‘Cups’ was very successful, but I doubt she was shoe-horned in as she’s also a competent actress.)
But Phantom of the Opera isn’t a good show. Do I enjoy it? Yeah, I love how over the top and dramatic it is, but it’s all spectacle. Spectacle for spectacle’s sake. It’s garish and weird and campy.
Into the Woods is a Sondheim show. It’s thoughtful and fun and beautifully written. Nine was a travesty, but it’s not a good show either. I don’t think Marshall did a good job, but you can’t really scrub a turd.
Anna Kendrick is a theatrically trained actress. She was nominated for a Tony Award when she was 12 years old. I don’t think you can count her among pop stars. She sang a song in a movie that happened to catch on.
Good point on Kendrick, Joey. Also I fell in love with her during her acidic rendition of “The Ladies Who Lunch” in Camp alongside several other bright talents (Robin De Jesus, Sasha Allen) and the Sondheim cameo as well!
Best MAKEUP is the only lock nomination I could predict from the trailer.
Marshall is not consistent. NINE was an abomination. CHICAGO was really entertaining and well done.
So . . . . I ‘m not sure about all the hype. It’s Disney, after all.
I was hopping all over my room when I watched this trailer earlier. I’m hyped to see Meryl rap!!! I read the script last year, and I think this will be phenomenal – though I think Pine will have to exude some fascinating charisma to seem more than a good actor wasted in a prop-like role.
It is way too early to be saying it will get 14 nominations. Calm down ppl!
Thank you, Winston. I don’t think this will dethrone a cinematic masterpiece like All About Eve or a phenomenon like Titanic. I hope it’s good – I love the musical. But I’m afraid, Disney may have washed out some of the more mature themes that make this musical so interesting. We shall see.
Antoinette, Sondheim requires great singing and acting ability. But sometimes the singing isn’t pretty because that’s not what the role calls for (Depp’s song is about the performance not about the quality of singing, for instance) but I can guarantee you that each part will be well cast. It appears Sondheim has played a larger role in the making of this film than in Sweeney Todd, so I have high hopes on the performance of the songs.
Ok. I’ll trust you.
It’s not terrible to want to hear good singers, but I never think that should be a priority. When I was in school studying theater, it was always drilled into my head that if you can’t act your way through a song, you’re fucked. Sondheim’s lyrics are like monologues, and you have to be a strong actor to successfully pull off his music.
I think it’s beautiful, the lack of singing is kind of expected but the lush orchestration of the music is such an added and unexpected bonus. And it’s clear the budget is huge.
Bryce here is one of Chris Pine’s song (there is a reprise as well) sung with his brother. The two characters are Cinderella’s Prince (Pine) and Rapunzel’s Prince. Notice the great wordplay. If you take Pine’s part and Depp’s Part, you get the original role that Robert Westenberg played (and got a Tony nomination) in the original production. Pine’s role is good, but it won’t be winning him any awards as it’s too one note (but in a purposeful way.) Westenberg brought a smidgeon of humanity to the part that’s really touching. But it’s just not enough for the Academy, I think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgNe1ALYqio (that is not Westenberg in the role)
It’s tough to say who could qualify of Supporting Actor. The two best non-Baker parts of the musical were the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince and the Narrator/Old Man. The first one was broken into two and given to Depp and Pine. The second, I’m not so sure what they did with it, but a cast search on imdb suggests they eliminated the Narrator, something I wish they didn’t since he had a great scene in the second act. But the Old Man part is still great. I really don’t want to spoil it by saying who the actor is who’s playing it (he’s not identified as Old Man on imdb (and to be honest I think it’s Mysterious Man or something if you look at the Book of the musical) It appears to be a small role for most of the film, but he plays a crucial role towards the end. It’s such a powerful scene I could see it being potentially noticed by the Academy. But the screen time is pretty small and it’s not a big name so I find it unlikely.
The next largest part is by Jack, which is a fine role. But he’s being played by a kid (as is Red Riding Hood) so it’s unlikely that will be noticed.
So in summation, I think the possibility of a Best Supporting Actor nom coming from the film is unlikely unless it becomes an overwhelming success both financially and critically.
(as for the thematic elements of “I wish” and the “Be careful what you wish for” aspects, these are major themes of the musical, and don’t worry, they are much more complicated than first glance. I’ve seen the musical dozens of times now and it always shocks me at how thought-provoking it is.
“the lush orchestration of the music is such an added and unexpected bonus”
Main reason why I thought ‘Score’ was a possibility, but thanks for clarifying it’s a re-orchestration of the original music.
the latter half of the music in this trailer is the instrumental portion of one of the big Meryl Streep songs. (She has three.) So this could be the start of setting her up for a potential win.
I was wrong. The singing is tremendous. 😛
Seriously, guys. Am I the only person in the world who wants musicals to have good singers in it? I mean we can’t tell either way from any of this and it’s just makes me think the people making this movie think of the singing as an afterthought. That pisses me off to no end.
I admit freely to hating CHICAGO but I actually liked NINE. I’ll always give these movies a fair shake but I just feel like the people making musicals, especially Rob Marshall, are shooting for the middle. I hope I’m wrong. I hope it’s great.
I am so glad that they didn’t shy away from putting James Corden’s name in the trailer. Just because he’s not a “big name” doesn’t mean shit. He’s a great comedic actor and The Baker is an amazing role.
And he’s way better looking than I recall! I think this could be a great role for him and, I’ll be honest, if the film works I think he’s got the inside edge to win a ton of awards for it.)
Sondheim wrote a song for Meryl Streep. He handed it to her and said, “Don’t fuck it up.” Can she PLEASE sing it at the Oscars?!
Meryl! Loved this.
I forgot Best Adapted Screenplay.
Cross that out, new record number of nominations is imminent received by a single film is imminent
Wait, Chris Pine is in this? How big is his role? I might watch.
The look/effects seem to be in the best traditions of MALEFICENT/SNOW WHITE IN THE HUNTSMAN/ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Do they assume *everyone* knows it’s a musical? Because I wouldn’t know if I didn’t read Awards Daily and just randomly happened by the trailer. Looks like it can go all the way.
I predict these noms
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actress (X2?)
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design
Best Original Song
Best Score (?)
Best Visual Effects
Best Sound Mixing
Best Sound Editing
Best Makeup
Yes make room, you ALL ABOUT EVE and TITANIC. Who knows maybe a new record? Best Supporting Actor??
Frontrunner?
Pine has a sizable part. He sings a great duet with Rapunzel’s Prince and he gets to play a snobby Prince Charming. Every part in this show is great, and I think it’s cast really well.
Thanks!
“a snobby Prince Charming”
Sounds irresistible with Pine in the role. I am one of those afraid of musicals but I have to admits that it looks fun.
I think they are trying to lure in a different audience with the design and cast before they “reveal” it’s a musical to the people who aren’t familiar. People are still afraid of musicals on the big screen. I bet they will show singing in a full length trailer.
You forgot Best Actor for James Cordon. If it gets all of these other nominations, there’s no way he’s not getting one too)
I’m pretty sure it won’t be eligible for Score
True. But it is getting Best Editing which I left off too, so, still 14+
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Bryce what are you sniffing, how much did it cost you and where can I get some?
I think it might get nominations in all those categories that you mentioned. It’s Rob Marshall after all…
I think he will love it. I’m anxious to hear his take!
Thanks for the tip to this trailer, Joey. The new post format does not make it easy to thank our vigilant tipsters on the main page.
🙂
Someone make sure rufussondheim doesn’t need a diazepam.
🙂