Ray J's Review - "Dear Evan Hansen"

I have been looking forward to seeing this film, and while I was a bit nervous going in, having seen the already mixed reactions from professional movie critics, I am happy to report that I was emotionally invested in "Dear Evan Hansen" from beginning to end! I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I always try to go into viewing a new movie with an open mind, and I always do! Of course this is a musical as well, based off of the Broadway stage play of the same name, and you all know how much of a sucker I am for musical movies🙂🎶🎬

Beginning his senior year of high school, Evan Hansen (played by Ben Platt, who also played the character in the Broadway stage production), is a teen who suffers from pretty harsh social anxiety. Before leaving for the first day of school, Evan's mom (played by Julianne Moore) mentions to him that it could be a good idea if he tries to ask people to sign the cast on his broken arm, to try and break through his comfort zone a bit. Evan's first day is off to a not so great start...his nerves are off the charts, and on top of everything he was just intimidated by a mentally troubled boy, Connor (played by Colton Ryan). As per his therapist, Evan has been asked to write himself a letter each day listing out good things about himself, and what he thinks will be good throughout the day. While working on the letter in the library, Connor, who is sitting across from Evan, surprisingly begins to make friendly chatter with him as he also follows him to the printer to pick up his letter. They begin to learn that they have a bit more in common then they thought, and Connor offers to sign Evan's cast, which he writes in huge letters across the top. Unfortunately, Connor picks up Evan's letter from the printer and see's a mention of his sister, Zoe (played by Kaitlyn Dever), and Connor flips out accusing Evan of tormenting him, which he really wasn't doing. The next day, Evan is called to the principal's office where he is informed that Connor's parents are there, and would like to talk to him...in private. Evan is then informed by Connor's Mom (played by Amy Adams), and his stepdad (played Danny Pino) that Connor has taken his own life. They hand Evan the letter that Connor took, however they are under the impression that Evan is a friend of Connor's, an only friend, thinking that Connor wrote the letter to Evan (which is sadly not the case). Here's where things get a bit messy....Evan goes along with it, and tells them that yes, he knew Connor on a personal level, and his family are relieved to hear that. Unfortunately for Evan, he may have bitten off more than he can chew, having to come up with lie after lie (on the spot) in hopes that Connor's family can find peace in thinking he had a friend to confide in. It's a sad and emotional situation for all, but sometimes it's better to come clean sooner, rather than later, as Evan begins to grow further away from his busy mother, and closer to Connor's family, plus romantically involved with Connor's sister Zoe.

I personally thought "Dear Evan Hansen" was a beautiful movie, and while I understand the flaws that it has, I don't think it deserves the crazy hate, and rotten critiques it is getting. There were specific aspects of this film that I honestly connected with, in particular to the character of Evan Hansen. There were pieces of myself that I could see in the character, since I also deal with social anxiety at times🥺💚 There were medications mentioned that I take, and also some that I'm pretty sure I have taken in the past. Ben Platt did a really phenomenal job at portraying a character with social anxiety. There are certain mannerisms and traits that a person with social anxiety will omit when anxious in a situation, and he had those down pat👏👏

Honestly the whole film featured excellent performances! From Amy Adams, to Kaitlyn Dever, to Julianne Moore...all will make you shed a tear😢 However, Ben Platt really is the TRUE star, and I think it was smart of him to return for the movie adaptation. I seriously don't get the hate! I mean he played the dang character in the freaking broadway musical, and this isn't the first time a close to 30 year old has played a high schooler...do y'all not remember "Glee"😂🤷‍♂️

Now, let's talk about the music🎶 Most of the song numbers are super emotional, and sung extremely well, and from the heart! However there are a couple upbeat tunes in the beginning🙂

My personal favorite's are the opening number (an upbeat, and uplifting track) "Waving Through A Window", "Sincerely Me" is a cheeky & humorous uptempo tune, a new track written for the film adaptation "The Anonymous Ones" performed my Amanda Stenberg (who plays Alana), the big song "You Will Be Found", a soaring mid tempo ballad that Evan performs during a memorial for Connor, and the video of him singing it goes viral. While it's not one of my favorite songs, the song that made me feel the most emotional is performed by Julianne Moore (as Evan's Mom), "So Big/So Small". I DARE YOU NOT TO SHED A TEAR DURING THAT SCENE😭😂 I personally like the songs in the first half of the film better than the second half...

So do I recommend "Dear Evan Hansen" the movie? I really do! Maybe it was because I somewhat connected with it, and that I enjoyed it more that most of the professional critics, or maybe it's because I have an open mind, and try not to nit-pick😂🤷‍♂️ Whatever it may be, make sure you bring a pack of tissues if you choose to watch "Dear Evan Hansen", and I really hope you choose to do so😉

"Dear Evan Hansen" is now playing exclusively in movie theaters🎬🎟

The Ray J's Reviews rating is:

5 out of 5 lime green hearts

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