First of all, this film is a musical. If you can't handle dialogue being sung, don't see this film. Second, this is not a classic musical with rousing show tunes and great dance numbers. This is a movie that sings stream of consciousness thought and the thoughts are angst driven. Those two disclaimers might, possibly, have detoured most of the haters away from the film. Otherwise, this is a film about struggles, false solutions, anxiety and eventually courage. I have a friend who saw this on Broadway over a dozen times, and it has won Tonys, a Grammy, an Obie and an Olivier. Ben Platt's vocal talents soar. The cast is stellar and the performances are solid. I think the highest praise comes from people who resonate with the character themes for they can speak to you in a very personal way. However, those moments come and go. There is not a consistent pace. I give this film an 8 (for perfect moments) out of 10. {Musical Drama}

As someone who loved the show on stage (3 times),the film is especially disappointing. While the play had vitality and humor to balance it's deeply moving content, nearly every scene in the film leans into the mournful tone until the highs and lows become one long low.

And while the characters on stage were flawed people barely struggling to keep it together, Platt, Moore and Adams all seem oddly self-possessed.

If you haven't seen it on stage, please do.

Evan Hansen (Ben Platt) is a troubled high school senior. He's a loner with horrible social anxiety. Jared is his only friend..., sorry family friend. Her single mom Heidi Hansen (Julianne Moore) is also struggling. He gets bullied by angry outcast Connor Murphy who later commits suicide. Due to a series of misunderstandings, Evan is assumed to be Connor's only friend by his parents, Cynthia Murphy (Amy Adams) and Larry Mora (Danny Pino). Connor's sister Zoe Murphy (Kaitlyn Dever) is suspicious of the lie.

Oh this is a musical. I didn't know that. The only thing I heard about this movie is the inappropriate age of its lead. Ben Platt looks 30 and that's not far off in reality. It's really distracting but I tried to ignore it. It's difficult. Every time the movie stumbles, his wrinkled face is staring right back at me. It doesn't help that Evan is such an annoying pathetic character. It's not fun when it's supposed to be funny. There are great actors here. I want better for Dever. Everybody is giving their best sincere performance but the material keeps undercutting them. That's even worst than if they aren't any good. There is potential for something compelling but it's all pissed away.