a review of 歌剧魅影

HOOPTOBER, NIGHT NINETEEN: While watching this one, I was curious to see if I could find the basis for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical's depiction of the Phantom as a tragic romantic figure. Granted, I've never gotten a chance to read Gaston Leroux's original novel, but the movie depicts the Phantom as quite the opposite: Instead of being a misunderstood genius who coaches an unproven young singer into becoming a star (as is my understanding of Webber's version), instead he's a bitter, misanthropic incel who holds an arts institution for ransom and tries to catfish a vulnerable young woman into loving him. Inasmuch as the movie encourages us to disdain the singer's rich fiance for his deep sense of romantic entitlement, it also basically tears away the pretense behind the Phantom's actions. He's neither a hero nor a particularly charismatic villain -- his mystery and glamour are just an illusion that comes crashing down once the mask comes off.