Caro Evan Hansen

Most of the bad reviews here seem to center around three things. 1) Evan is a bad guy, and this movie makes him a hero. (He's not, and it doesn't). 2) How could they cast a 28 year old in the title role? (Ben Platt actually looks almost young enough to BE a nervous high school senior so okay, I'll buy it). 3) What Evan did is the most horrible thing ever done, so I can't enjoy this movie. Get over it, he's a character in a musical. Movies are made about bad people and bad things all the time. Judge the film based on its merit, not on that nonsense. And the truth is, it's a mostly well done adaptation of a show which, despite the flaws of its title character, has a well-intentioned and serious societal message to send and hopefully be received. The songs are sad yet hopeful, Platt's voice is amazing, and the supporting cast does a very nice job. I read the reviews here, and they're unfairly low... this was actually a good watch with more depth than I expected.

The story is very engrossing. The psychological burden Evan has to bear is unimaginable, and this connects viewers with him. I think the story is beautiful in one way, but cruel as well.

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.

Honestly, I don't understand the many poor reviews. I thought is was a wonderful film about a high school senior fighting desperation/anxiety and just trying not to mess up. I cried more than once just because of the performances of Ben Platt, Juliane Moore and all the other talented actors in this film.

I watched it without ever seeing the musical so I cannot comment on whether it was better or worse (I'm sure other reviewers will have their opinions ready) but I can honestly say that I enjoyed this movie and will definitely watch it again.

Evan Hansen is in high school and suffers from a social disorder. He sees a therapist and at the doctor's urging writes himself letters, titled "Dear Evan Hansen." Thus the title of the movie. One day he prints one out at school (I immediately found myself doubting the wisdom of that) and while in line to retrieve it another student, an outcast of sorts, takes the letter. From that random event a whole series of unpredicted things happen.

Some people knock this movie because it has singing. At dinner Evan might break out in song rather than just talk. Or while walking down the hall of his high school. As well as other characters. People who object to that kind of movie will not enjoy this, they probably should have skipped it.

But for me the whole thing worked really well. It is a long movie at over 2 hours but it is so interesting my attention never wavered. As Even gets into hotter and hotter water by avoiding the truth we see other people being affected. In the end more good than harm is done but the story also presents a good case for just telling the truth, a series of little white lies, seemingly harmless, seldom turns out to be the best path.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library, we enjoyed it. Filmed mostly in the Atlanta Georgia area, the DVD has several interesting "extras."