Review of Prodigal Son

[deelaundry]

My review of Prodigal Son. Others have other reviews, and I am not taking away from them, but here is mine:

Eh. Basically, I spent $90 plus travel to see Robert Sean Leonard in person and that was worth it to me (even though he didn’t have Stage Door so I didn’t see him up close), but if he hadn’t been in the play, I would have been angry to spend that much.

My biggest problem with the play is the play itself, not the production.

It could have said something about class, but it doesn’t.

It could have said something about betrayal, but it doesn’t.

It could have said something about external vs. internal conceptions of right and wrong, but it doesn’t.

It tells a story I have heard way too often to have any patience for: able straight cis white Christian late-teen boy screws up repeatedly, hurts others, gets coddled for no real reason, doesn’t appreciate what he has, and whines for more.

I thought of Marley Dias, and how she could sum up her required reading as “white boy with dog.”

Acting-wise, Timothee Chalamet was very good; I was drawn in by his performance. Annika Boras’s acting was very good, although I wanted to adjust her volume up. Chris McGarry was very, very touching. He should’ve been on the posters.

RSL, I enjoyed watching, as always, though I felt sometimes he was apologizing for the material. It would be interesting to know what his discussions with the writer/director were. And one pivotal scene fell flat due to RSL’s continued inability to make a certain action believable. Some day, some day. Maybe.

If you’re a fan of Timothee Chalamet or are willing to pay $90 to look at RSL, you can give this a try. Otherwise, I hear Fun Home is really good.

PS. Where does fic come from? From the places canon didn't go. Here's my fic (BIG spoilers): http://deelaundry.dreamwidth.org/23936.html

Comments

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

The direction certainly could have had a hand in how it came across. But RSL doesn't exactly have a track record of making expressions of desire believable... I still love our boy even if he has some struggles in a certain type of scene. :)

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say how much I've missed the way it used to be possible (and still is) to adore RSL and hassle him mercilessly at the same time *g*. A pity it doesn't seem to work that way in more places. X is perfect, how dare you!

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha, too true - perhaps the reason he was never the leading man heartthrob his looks could have made him.

I guess that I interpreted that gesture in a more innocent way, as an expression of commiseration/comfort rather than physical desire, although of course that interpretation would be colored in retrospect by later revelations.