Some movies premiere with huge fanfare and well publicized reviews while others are much less likely to make the headlines. The “Dear Evan Hansen” movie has been long awaited by theater enthusiasts but might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It definitely has its good and bad points, but what makes it have a strong impact is that it addresses some important topics relating to mental health.
That being said, the storyline is quite convoluted and can be uncomfortable at times. “Dear Evan Hansen” is adapted from the Tony Award winning Broadway musical that follows Evan, a high schooler with social anxiety, as he navigates being assumed to be the secret friend of Connor, a classmate who had just committed suicide. Evan decides to play along, misleading Connor’s family, his entire school, and thousands of social media users. Evan begins to choose this fictional reality, pretending to have been best friends with a boy he barely knew, to escape the pain of feeling alone. Along the way he forges emails and lies about everything he possibly can. Evan is joined by a cast of other characters that bring their own set of trials to the table including grief, hatred, depression, anxiety, denial, and more.
Speckled throughout the movie are the songs from the Broadway musical. With Ben Platt reprising his role as Evan, it is no surprise that the character’s singing is quite well executed. Ben Platt’s voice is amazing and his inclusion in the project is a particularly special part of this movie for theatre enthusiasts, even if it falls flat for other audiences. This particular reason is why I believe that this movie appeals more to long-time fans rather than people just hearing about it for the first time. Ben Platt was the original Evan Hansen when the play opened on Broadway in 2016 and he sang on the original cast album, winning a Tony for his performance. That being said, Ben Platt is obviously much older than a high schooler and some audiences find that to be too distracting. It is rare for a film adaptation to have the original cast members reprise their roles, and although Ben Platt is still an amazing singer, his performance in the movie does not appeal to those who are new to the story.
While there are comical aspects and other parts that are just plain weird, it is the heart of the play that fans latch onto. With the overarching message of “you will be found,” fans, myself included, resonate with the deep-seated feelings of being alone and facing the huge world. The sense of being invisible is overwhelming. Evan understands this all too well, and when he builds up the courage to speak at Connor’s memorial, he sings “You Will Be Found,” arguably the most moving song in the story. From the desperation to be seen in “Waving Through a Window” to the reminders that “You are not alone” in “You Will Be Found,” the beauty in this movie and in the play is not what Evan does—he makes many questionable decisions—but it is what he and the other characters say and sing. It’s about making everyone feel seen by others. They show their struggles, both mental and situational, as a reminder that although life is hard, there are others that can understand your trials. Some of the characters struggle with processing grief, feelings of suicide, loneliness, anxiety, financial stress, divorce, and so much more. These pieces can hit close to home, and although they are included in this story that is essentially about deceit, the meaning and messages shared about them still ring true.
After thinking about the pros and cons of the movie, I decided that I enjoyed it because of all my memories of listening to the original Broadway cast album; however, although I love musicals, I believe that “Dear Evan Hansen” is better suited for the Broadway stage as opposed to the big screen. The heartfelt messages and conversations surrounding mental health are still there and still powerful, but I think that the medium changes how they impact the audience. The movie was good for what it was, but it might not appeal to everyone. Despite understanding this, I also believe that this movie, play, and soundtrack have great points about handling difficult life situations.
If you are struggling or concerned about your mental health, there are resources on campus that can help. There is information, counseling, and help available through Andrews University’s Counseling and Testing Center.
CTC Main Office: Bell Hall Suite 123
Phone Number: (269)471-3470
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.