Franklin Shepard is a talented Broadway composer who abandons his theater career and all his friends in New York in order to produce films in Los Angeles. The story begins at the height of his Holl...
Director Maria Friedman‘s “Merrily We Roll Along” is a filmed stage production that will feel like a treat for musical theater nerds even though it’s not a great movie by traditional cinematic standards. Spanning three decades, the story charts the turbulent friendship between composer Franklin Shepard (Jonathan Groff) and his lifelong friends, writer Mary (Lindsay Mendez) and lyricist / playwright Charley (Daniel Radcliffe). Told in reverse chronological order, it explores themes of friendship, compromise, the disillusionment of dreams, and the high price of success. The narrative offers a relatable and often humorous look at how ambition and fame can strain even the closest relationships, and it’s an accurate portrayal of what it means to have longtime friends.
Groff is endlessly watchable whether on stage or on screen, and he carries the film with an abundance of talent, charm, and nuance. His co-stars are equally solid, giving the production a sense of ensemble cohesion that makes it instantly engaging. The acting isn’t the issue (all of the ensemble performers are committed), it’s the music that doesn’t always translate well to film. Some of Stephen Sondheim’s songs feel muddled when multiple voices overlap, and I never personally connected with this particular score. The music isn’t great but the story itself is simple enough to feel universal, with humor sprinkled throughout that keeps the levity from being sucked out of the room.
Visually and technically, the film is decently executed as a stage-to-screen adaptation. Friedman doesn’t make much of an effort to add any flair to her visual style, and her direction is as straightforward as they come. If you’ve ever wished for a front row seat on Broadway, this is the next best thing. Here you get to see the big-name theater performers up close and personal, catching all the nuances of their performances and enjoying the energy of a live theater production without paying hundreds (or thousands) for the privilege.
While it’s not a great movie in the cinematic sense, “Merrily We Roll Along” is still a satisfying filmed version of a stage play. The reverse-chronological storytelling, the relatable exploration of friendship and ambition, and the committed performances make it worthwhile, especially for fans of Sondheim, musical theater, or Broadway productions in general. For everyone else, it may feel long, over-sung, and occasionally muddled, but there’s enough charm and humor to keep it watchable.
