AniInterview
Sorry, this movie sucks
Lucybespro
It is a performances centric movie
Pacionsbo
Absolutely Fantastic
Humaira Grant
It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
chaswe-28402
The merit of this film is that it persuaded me to try to find out more about P.T. Barnum, since it wasn't really telling me anything about him. Other reviewers have mentioned the meandering biographical style. I couldn't follow Mr Barnum's business dealings. His younger self seemed quite engaging, but I kept asking myself if this was Beau Bridges. It didn't look like him, but the later stages of his life didn't seem to resemble him either. By the time he was on his death-bed, which was a position he was in fairly often, he looked as if he was 160, although he was only 80. Perhaps he got confused with the 160 year old slave woman, who turned out to be only 80. I never discovered what made this man tick.There was something immensely dull about the whole story. George Hamilton must be easily the worst actor I've ever come across. Every time he came into the picture it was as if he was saying: Look at me. I'm acting. And I'm tanned. He should stick to skin care and sun care. No, this was not an enlightening or interesting biopic. I found the Wikipedia article much more useful and informative, with a brisk account of numerous facts which seemed to have escaped the film makers.
CheshireCatsGrin
I gave up on this after an hour. My sister tried to watch it while I worked at the computer. Although I love the circus this was a farce. It was over acted as if the actors could talk over the poorly written script. The discussions in the family felt unproductive. After a while, who cares? I wanted to see P.T. Barnum, not the Barnum family. I could see that type of conversation across the street. After a while I actually felt myself getting stressed out from the arguing.* of 5
Bobs-9
I'm afraid I only caught the second half of this miniseries, but what I saw was appalling! Doing a movie about Barnum is such a great opportunity to produce something colorful and exciting and hilarious. When will I learn not to waste time on TV miniseries? while I haven't had the opportunity to see the old 1930's film with Wallace Beery playing Barnum, it MUST have outdone this one. Quite honestly, why should I be so enthralled by the day-to-day minutiae of the private lives of Barnum and his relatives? It only makes a legendary, larger-than-life character that much more mundane.Typically, we would see about 25 seconds of a routine circus act, followed by 25 minutes of tedious soap opera in period costume. Ah, we get an understanding of the personal demons that drove the man! Oh,Blah...blah...blah!!! In a biography of Barnum, I expect to see outrageous flim-flams and the dumbest of rubes, bearded ladies, flashy and dangerous aerial acts, elephants -- and lots of them, dammit! This was the greatest show on earth. And freaks! A gifted screenwriter could do a whole hour on how one finds a set of Siamese twins, how they're recruited and under what circumstances they've been living, how they're exhibited, what their personalities are like, what they and Barnum thought of each other, what the public reaction was, etc., etc. These aspects of his life and career seem to me a lot more interesting than the fact that he didn't get along with all his daughters or in-laws very well, or that his wife was ill.Sorry I got carried away.
BrunoRI
"Ladies and gentlemen & children of all ages, in the center ring..." be prepared for the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!!! And for all, this presentation is. Mr. Bridges should brush of his top hat for another well deserved "EMMY" award. "P.T. Barnum" ran the gambit of emotions and kept me well entertained, {even over two nights}! Bridges supporting cast held their own with THIS master showman, including Bridges own son Jordan as the young P.T Barnum. Simon Wincer's direction was wonderful and with talent and sets of such a grand manner, could perfection not be far?! Smiles for all who seek entertainment here!!!