By Anne Brodie
Maria Friedman’s feature direction of the live version of 4-time Tony-winning Broadway musical Merrily We Roll Along surprised me in all the right ways. Now in theatrical release it follows a trio of friends, lyricist Charley played by Daniel Radcliffe, composer Franklin from Jonathan Groff with Lindsay Mendez as writer Mary over twenty years -backwards! Expecting it to feel hemmed in, limited to a single set, “theatrical” and confusing, it’s a brilliant experiment that casts a strong spell. Should make a splash in no small part thanks to Stephen Sondheim’s score and George Furth’s book that inspired the stage play. The film opens in Bel Air, 1976 as they’re enjoying success in their chosen and related careers, but bad vibes undermine the longstanding friendship. Jealousy, envy, competition and an inability to sort things out have broken the tight knit trio. Mary’s drinking heavily, Charley’s wary of Frank’s sneaky ways and the stinging revelation that he will work with someone else. This chapter is bitter, funny, and sly; devolution is in the air and the question is asked “How did you get to be here?” Charley admits the friendship has changed and asks Frank to “stop making deals. Just get back to the piano”. Will that save them? But Frank who is married and cheating voices his pain, accusing Charley of mocking him when “I would lay down my life for you”. Emotional, raw, real. Now its 1967 and Frank divorces as his friends support him – ‘you still have us”. 1964 and their musical is a huge success; they’re astounded by the famous people they meet while still living in their first apartments. One night they witness Sputnik fly over. This is a thrilling, exhilarating experience, and experiment. It’s visceral; even great. Today across Canada.