Tuesday 25 November 2008

A love triangle

It's an eternal tale, retold in so many different formats. So much so I yawn at the mere thought of it. Then why oh why has The Phantom of the Opera (the play and movie) so captured my attention and has left me enraptured? 

*Note: Plot spoilers below*

It saddens me so that Christine treated the Phantom as she did. In my opinion, he gave her, her voice - so to speak. Raoul would have never notice her if she remained one of the background dancers. Thanks to the Phantom training her, she was pushed into the limelight. And it was the limelight which brought her to Raoul's attention. 

I also think the scene where he first takes her to his lair is one of the most romantic ever in movie history. It is charged with passion and subtle seduction. 

I understand Christine loved the Phantom because their souls recognised fellow musical spirits. Their religion of music brought them together and flamed their attractions. Whereas Raoul was from her past - their history made her feel comfortable. He was good, stable and always there. To me he was the easy choice.

In the end though the Phantom proves to be the better man. Even though he is a maddened genius, psycho killer and very much a stalker, I still root for Team Phantom. There is just a certain something about his character...

Some of my favourite lines:

The Phantom: Let your soul take you where you long to be. 

The Phantom: You alone can make my song take flight. Help me make the music of the night... 

The Phantom: Past all thought, of "if" or "when" -no use resisting: abandon thought, and let the dream descend . . .

10 comments:

Nooj said...

ahhh what a story
one day i will live in a city where i can go to the theatre every seond day God willing

a phantom. don't we all have one somewhere in our pasts...

Az said...

Its the tragedy of the situation that gets us...humans are suckers for soppy stories :P

But its great...I saw Little Women in London...that was great too...would have loved to see Mamma Mia.

Edge Of Where said...

I watched the Phantom on holloween 2 years ago on the West End and it truly was one of the best theatre productions i've seen coming a close second to the lion king... I think at the end the only winner of the 3 was Raoul(as you say he would never have noticed christine if it wasnt for the Phantom) the Phantom lost a great love and Christine lost out on the love of the Phantom who in my opinion would have been much better for her but one cant blame her for following her heart... I think the score to the production was really really nice and added a whole lot to the production

Janine / Being Brazen said...

i love the phantom of the Opera. great songs, beautiful, sad, romantic...

Anonymous said...

The phantom is a bit of a stalker.....so why do we root for him? Is it because he is actually the underdog. Is it because he does not fit into everday society?

Prixie said...

oh Nooj, if i could afford, i will be at a different show every night too! next on the cards: Sound of Music.

azra: hmmmm...mamma mia. i only saw the movie. if i can see it, i will.

edge of where: it is so tragic. nevertheless regarding the movie: there is so much Gerard Butler brought to the character of the Phantom

being brazen: yeah, it gives me the sniffles

blogger previously known as SG: Can i rather call u post SG? its shorter! lol...
i guess we root for him because he knew he would never get her, yet he tried. He was demented in his love for her, but could not show it any other way, and he was courageous to risk showing it in the first place, making himself known to the world as he did. his pain and sadness is almost tangible. yet in the end he proved to be the most noble character by giving her up. *sniff*

mystic rose said...

The phantom, Heathcliff... some irresistible romantic figures :)

Kim said...

Hi Prixie - I caught your comment on Po’s page and thought I must come and visit a lady who listens to Phantom of the Opera! The music is unbelievable, the imagery beautiful. I watched it once in London and then in SA - both were fantastic! Christine – despite having a gift was a young and somewhat foolish girl! I also wished she had treated the phantom with more kindness!

Prixie said...

Hi DT

Thanks for visiting! Everyone I know thinks I've lost my sanity for a wee bit, but nothing has ever touched me the way this story has. It's just so damn beautiful! Christine was indeed misguided and my heart still bleeds for the Phantom. He is such a tragic, pained yet passionate character and leaves me absolutely astounded!

You must watch the 2004 movie if you can. You will not regret it!

Jackie said...

I agree with you Prixie. I felt dreadful for the Phantom. At least she wouldn't find him so boring as Raoul...don't like pretty, brainless males myself LOL.

Strangely I found our Pretoria Opera House stage version far, far better than the London production. The film version I found dull after the stage versions.