NEWSIES: A History-Inspired Musical

By Jaanu

Let me preface this by saying that I am a musical skeptic. I typically believe firmly that movies are far superior to musicals. Why, oh why, would anyone want to disrupt the flow of a  good plot with sporadic song and dance numbers?

So, if even I loved Newsies, imagine how good it has to be!! The music is spectacular and the history fascinating. I really don’t have criticism of the movie-musical itself – so here’s an old-fashioned Spirit Character Review!

JACK KELLY – Jack is the lead character, and what a lead he is. The entire movie centers around Jack and his friends – the newspaper boys of New York City as they try to battle corruption in the big papers of the day. Jack is a great leader. But he spends the duration of the film trying to find and singing about somewhere to belong. I’m confused by this apparent slight to his gang of loyal friends, who go to jail for him, risk their lives for him, and fight for him. What MORE do you want, Jack?

DENTON – Denton is Jack’s mentor of sorts. He is a father figure and a veritable Aragorn in that he carries the plot (along with the inimitable Spot Conlon). 

Denton’s the one who has newspaper writer knowledge, who gains the public’s attention, who alerts authorities, and who actually risks his career. 

Interested? Newsies is available on Disney+ and Amazon!!