phantomsquill wrote:If you didnt' know this about me already, when I saw the film the first time on Jan. 12, I was a 'virgin', so to speak. In fact, I was prepared to *hate* this movie. Then, Emmy won me over at the end of Think of Me and Gerry kept me glued to my seat in POTO and MOTN and on through to the end.
I remember when I first saw the film, I thought, gosh, this part was written for a tenor and yet he's a baritone. The upper range of the part seemed like he was being asked to do too much. Yet, that he could do it all was impressive.
After seeing it the first time, I figured the actor playing the Phantom wasn't actually singing. I was very surprised that they were able to find an actor who did such a good job acting that could sing, as well. I would have *never* guessed he was not a trained singer.
I think Gerry's Erik is all the better for not having that "formal training;. I was a very good violist without having taken a private lesson in my life. I was a section leader. I won a couple of contests. Perfect pitch is innate. Gerry has it. You can't *teach* that.
Anyway, I don't like the Broadway style of singing, anyway. Gerry's singing was a big reason I returned to see the movie...again, and again, and again.
When Gerry is walking down the stairs during "Why So Silent?" and he sees Christine, you *know* his heart is pounding in his chest. I have had moments like that. He's having a hard time breathing and you know he doesn't see anyone else in the room.
And Gerry is transformed in this movie, as someone else mentioned. And you can tell, even in the press photos, that when the costume and makeup is on, he's Erik. The expressions on his face, even in those publicity photos, are so in character, it's amazing.
In reading the book, I had a hard time rooting for either Erik or Raoul. Gerry created a Phantom that is balanced. He is sensitive, passionate, angry, murderous, sympathetic, innocent and welll-meaning. He brings out all the shades of gray of the character and shows that he is more than a monster.
Gerry is flat-out brilliant. Every time I see the film or listening to the soundtrack, it gets better. Today I actually skipped to the AIOY reprise because I just can't deal with Raoul anymore. Heh.
And how can you resist a man who will cry when you reject him, then get really pissed, crush a rose, then run up to the top of a rooftop mounted statue and really tell you how he feels? Yeah, you can't.
Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:05 am 
He has such a soulful voice and those eyes... 
The more I find out about him, the more I'm convinced that he deserves everything he has. Such a sweet humanitarian heart.
)
Still learning my way around here, but I like it. 
that was sooooooo sad 
