Is The Metropolitan Opera: The Merry Widow Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2015)

📖 The Core Premise

The Metropolitan Opera: The Merry Widow returns to the screen in 2015, bringing a fresh narrative to the Music genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Renée Fleming lights up the Met stage as Hanna Glawari, the fabulously wealthy widow of the title in Lehár’s beloved operetta, set in Paris and seen in a glittering production directed and choreographed by Broadway’s Susan Stroman. Nathan Gunn is Danilo, Hanna’s former flame, who is supposed to woo and marry her in order to keep her fortune in their home country of Pontevedro. Kelli O’Hara sings Valencienne, the flirtatious young wife of the Pontevedrian ambassador in Paris, Baron Zeta, played by Thomas Allen, and Alek Shrader is her suitor, Camille. Andrew Davis conducts the waltz-rich score, and the new English translation is by Jeremy Sams."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The Metropolitan Opera: The Merry Widow, Renée Fleming delivers a serviceable performance that keeps the narrative moving. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Music. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Metropolitan Opera: The Merry Widow worth your time? If you appreciate Music films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Metropolitan Opera: The Merry Widow is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 148 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.