Dear Evan Hansen: What Media Gets Wrong About Mental Health
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2021
- Dear Evan Hansen exploits mental illness and profits from real people's pain. This movie is more than just a bad musical adaptation: it's a case study of all the myths Hollywood sells about mental health and grief. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's inspirational-sounding songs sell empty messages. The musical and the movie tells a story about grief that features a troubled teenager lying for attention, reinforcing old and hurtful myths about mental illness.
This video essay is an open letter to everyone who tells stories from someone who lost a loved one to the despair that Dear Evan Hansen plays for drama. Please be careful with the stories you tell.
SOURCES:
The Real-Life Story That Inspired Dear Evan Hansen, What Will Change in the London Run, and More From New York Comic Con
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Can we talk about the fact that Evan stops taking his anxiety medication after he gets popular?
RIGHT?! (capslock felt necessary) He skips therapy, stops taking medication but he's healed through the power of song and also by having a girlfriend.
And the film could have addressed this - characters don't need to be perfect PSAs of model behavior, but if you're going to advertise a movie as "for everyone who has ever felt alone" they should think about the messages they're finding. "Going off of medication without talking to your doctor is great actually" is another irresponsibly overused Hollywood trope. It's like they had a bingo card.
Yes! I hate that message because I know people who take medication and stop because of a.) the difficult of unlearning the stigma surrounding meds b.) they feel momentarily better so they think they are cured. Then inevitably they are even worse off a few weeks later and feel more guilt and shame because they again don’t like feeling the need to rely on medication to be “normal”. Any media that entertains this idea(stopping medication without a doctor sign off)as a sign of getting better should immediately be seriously scrutinized because it’s obvious they don’t know what they’re talking about.
@@rachelkiesser5406 One of the most important things you learn when on meds long term is that...*you need them.* It's the same reason I hate "kid throws away his asthma inhaler" - meds aren't a placebo.
If I miss a single dose of anxiety meds I'm knocked out for the whole day with nausea. Whenever a piece of media shows a character quitting their meds cold turkey to show that they're "better" it's an immediate red flag that they didn't do their research.
God, few things (when it comes to media) make me angrier than that fucking trope. Singing through those brain zaps, is he?
Dear Evan Hansen, to me, is a story about how the media sensationalizes trauma rather than a story about being found. It bewilders me how people seem to love it while looking past the blaring issues. Your video beautiful explains how problematic and harmful it is
It bewilders me too how much the story was loved. I feel like Dear Evan Hansen's popularity has to do with how few honest stories are told about mental health, loss and grief. People want stories that deal with these painful topics. Maybe DEH owes part of its success to how much people want to hear these issues talked about that they didn't focus on, or didn't notice, the ways in which it's harmful.
Thank you for listening.
@@maevemonroe Sitting in the theatre, I felt almost gross for watching and supporting this movie. When "You Will Be Found" ended in a mural of Connor, I felt angry and disgusted since it was built on lies but treated like this beautiful thing. At least the film finally is highlighting the issues with the story and showing people this is not something that needed to be supported or placed in such high regard
@@maevemonroe this is incredibly true-- i was in middle school at the time dear evan hansen came out. so many kids with mental illness, especially anxiety, latched on to it and i think it must be because it felt like the only piece of media capable of treating mental illness in young people seriously-- not so much for connor, though. evan remains the main character.
i even got into it for a bit, and while i truly hate it now, i can't blame myself for lacking the media consumption skills or understanding of my own experiences to know any better. i remember DEH was held up as a better alternative to 13 reasons why for young people at the time, because it... had a hopeful message, i guess?
i cant totally explain the initial phenomenon that DEH caused, but i do think that the kids my age couldve gotten the same thing, if not more, out of almost any other piece of media that said the word "anxiety." i wish we all had something better to hold dear.
Thing is all the sensationalism of suicide is done so much better in Heathers. Because heathers knows it's not telling a story of a good person or innocent lies, it steers right into the fact that people use people who commit suicide and the damage is causes.
I mostly just like the songs, she’s right it’s at best an anaesthetic, but I heard the songs years ago and briefly made me feel better, but years down the line I’m exactly where I am mental health wise.
One moment that struck me in the movie was when we see a loss in attendance for the Connor Project over time. Its like the movie accidentally came close to having a point about how the empty platitudes of #YouWillBeFound is mostly a trend for people to feel good about themselves rather than getting involved with a cause.
If this were a smarter story they would do something with that.
Very true. A point could have been made that our collective instinct towards empty platitudes is distracting us from making the big, society-wide changes we need to make to address these problems. But the movie seems to accidentally prove the problem you pointed out: the movie -itself- succumbs to the trend of prioritizing the feel-good hashtag over a serious conversation.
To be honest the musical would have worked better as a dark character study. Evan using the death of someone to progress his own desires, to get with the girl and maybe become popular. Use it to show how toxic and dangerous some aspects of our modern culture are and that obsession with fame and popularity should be the last thing we focus on. That instead we should focus on each other first, and that Evans actions where the example of what we shouldn't be. That maybe if Connor had just gotten that he might have been helped, and that the tragedy wouldn't have happened.
You're right, it could have worked as a dark character study. But I feel like what we got was a villain protagonist premise paired with a script that didn't know if it wanted to be serious social commentary, satire or a traditional growing up story. And then they added the deliberately heartwarming-sounding songs. One or two might have worked in the dark character study, but they'd have to be balanced out by both the story and by songs that weren't "tenor sings his heart out to the cheap seats" pop ballads.
Yeah, the problem is the original show (and by extension the film) didn't know what it wanted to be, so it didn't follow through with any of its ideas fully and also became a tonal mess.
Heathers. You wanted to watch Heathers.
@@deeplyshalllow8967 Heathers _is_ a good example of how teenage suicide is exploited by others, but since Heathers is set in the 80s it can't explore the effect of technology and social media. DEH should have been the perfect opportunity to do so but the creators didn't handle it well.
I watched one video essay that compared DEH to Heathers, you can especially see the resemblance in the "Sincerely me" song. But Heathers is a dark comedy, while DEH is kind of depressing and has only that one self-aware song in the whole show, so it seems kind of out of the blue.
(not saying that HEathers is a masterpiece, it has its own problems)
TW: suicide
When I was a sophomore in high school, a girl in the grade above me committed suicide. This led to my school performing a musical "in her memory". It felt like a gross appropriation of her death for everyone else. Of course, everyone around me rallied behind DEH, even going to the musical when it toured nearby. I remember telling my brother that if I ever died to not let my death be turned into an event. Thank you for putting my feelings into words, thank you for saying what I was never brave enough to say
Oh my god. I understand wanting to remember and mourn someone, but a musical just seems deeply wrong in that circumstance. At a school assembly before I graduated a former friend told me I was "an inspiration" because I was still alive, and it felt so uncomfortable to have the grief highlighted publicly like that. A whole musical reminds me of that moment, but times a thousand.
I'm wondering why the teachers didn't gently step in? Maybe suggest a quieter tribute, like a charity project? Dancing and singing under those circumstances just seems wrong.
Thank you for listening. I really appreciate this comment, thank you.
I'm so sorry for your loss, and it's so upsetting that your school did this.
@@maevemonroe - ugh! The "You're such an inspiration" line, in public or in private, is just awful. I think some people honestly believe that it's an appropriate comment, - they are generally those who say it in private - for all the reasons you highlighted in your response to the movie; the media portrays those who are grieving as such, and when someone says it in a movie etc., it is often met with tear filled eyes (but no actual tears, that might make people uncomfortable), and a soft, but humble, slight smile. ("Camera pans up, showing a clear sky. The day - like the future - seems bright." Roll credits). Those who say it publicly are are often among those who are making the tragedy their own. Turning it into "an event", as @Savannah Core said. Savannah, I am sorry that you had to go through that.
Was she a fan of musicals while alive or was this ...random?
@@Em_Elizabeth If that’s the case, it would have been better to do a show of her favorite musical and donate the proceeds to suicide prevention programs.
I went into this movie completely blind. I had heard of the show, but didn't know anything about its story. All I knew was that, during its initial Broadway run, it was universally acclaimed and beloved.
When I saw the Murphy's pull out Evan's therapy letter to himself saying "It was the only thing Connor had on him," the pieces of the plot began to slowly click together in my head and my jaw just dropped. And as the movie went on, everything kept getting worse ("I've stopped taking my medication because my popularity cured me", screw you). By the time I got to the end credits, I was dumbfounded. Like, legitimately shocked at what I had just watched.
I hate to be that guy, but I've been in the middle of a major depressive bout for the past few months. I put this on on a whim hoping to be moved by something and _damn_ ...How did this happen? How, in today's social climate, where awareness of mental illness is higher than its ever been, did this show get written, performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people, and adapted into a major Hollywood film? It's so unbelievably irresponsible.
So thank you, film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, for helping me feel something again. I would've preferred it to have been happiness or motivation rather than unbridled rage, but I'll take what I can.
I have read countless interviews and I'm still confused about how this musical happened. In Pasek & Paul's book the songwriters mention that they themselves were hesitant about the show in its early days of being workshopped in Washington DC. After they saw the earliest stage productions they thought it could easily be more harmful than helpful -- but their star, their cast and most importantly their producer insisted that they had a winner on their hands. So even the show's creators saw that it could be potentially very irresponsible.
But then it started getting applause. And then it got enough attention to move onto Broadway, and then it dominated the Tony's, and now it's a movie and it's everybody's problem.
It's like the movie decided instead of fixing the problems of the musical, it will take the problems and make them even bigger. When I saw they used You will be found for the trailer, I knew they were completely missing the point, by making Evan an icon of suicidal prevention... Instead, the movie should have seen how Evan did more harm than good, but no...
I know this doesn’t help much, but I remember being deep into the musical theater fandom at this time. And I knew a lot of people who inexplicably loved it. But I also knew a lot of people who despised it. I saw a touring production in 2019, and the songs are really good, so I can understand why someone can get swept away with it while watching it live. But I still had this weird feeling while I was watching it if “Why does this story exist? And why am I struggling to understand what it’s trying to say?” I hated that it won best musical. Though, in all fairness, that was mainly because The Great Comet deserved it a million times more than DEH ever did. And then I saw the musical, after having only listened to the soundtrack. The soundtrack makes the musical seem a lot more redeemable than it actually is when you see it with the full script and twitchy acting.
I’m conclusion: The Great Comet was robbed, Dear Evan Hansen is trash even if the music tricks you into thinking it’s a bop, and Fun Home is a much better musical and touches on how su*cide affects a family way more successfully than DEH, and it’s not even the main focus of that musical!
My friends and I felt the same way when we saw the musical “blind.” We only knew it won the Tony. We subscribed- and it was in the package.
We didn’t give it a standing o- we sat there in shock. Mind you, we are all accomplished Black working women with children. I am a single mom, and my son is one of the nicest kindest people you will meet. He would never make the bargain with Faust.
How are you doing?
Actually, I genuinely think Burnham could've written or directed a good version of DEH in another reality. He knows how to satirize young people, social media and mental health with empathy without sliding into sentimentality or being exploitative.
I liked Dear Evan Hansen for a long time. "You will be found" always struck a weird note for me though, and since I went through depression myself, I cannot help but get angry whenever I hear it. Because I remember people talking to me all the time, saying they loved me, saying they were there for me and that I'm worthy of living - and they just couldn't reach me with it. No, you will not be found because the whole point of depression is that you do not let yourself be found. You just listen and do not believe a word others say.
The movie implies therapy doesn't work, meds don't work, but getting recognized by others does. This is so, so wrong. In the end, it wasn't talks with friends and family that helped me break out of the cycle. Therapy and meds did, and I am so grateful I was in a situation where I had access to both. Please do not believe when Hollywood tells you all you need is an attitude change and an inspiring song.
I am so sorry for the pain you went through. Thank you for this video.
Thank you for listening. It's not an easy subject to talk about and I imagine it's not difficult to watch. So thank you for hearing a stranger out about this.
Medication and therapy were so helpful to me as well. The support of people I loved was wonderful but it couldn't miraculously fix my brain chemistry. Thanks again for taking the time to hear this out and to comment - it means a lot to me after publishing something that was this personal/difficult/scary to write.
I cannot express how deeply I agree with your central thesis. Stories are often how we, as a culture and as individuals, process ideas and emotions of things in our lives. A topic as important as this deserves stories that will be told to help and not harm.
Stories matter so much. You're right, they help us all process ideas and emotions. The stories we're told can help us make sense of the world again. Not exaggerating when I say that watching movies, reading stories, helped me get back to feeling okay again when I needed it most when I was young. (Still helps, now that I'm not a teenager anymore.)
Thank you for listening. This was tough to talk about. But youtube is where I publish stuff, I guess, and I care about stories so I felt like I had to say something.
You Will Be Found is such a clear demonstration of where this show goes wrong. A song with so many useless platitudes set in contrast to the fact that Connor was NOT found could have had a very strong point to make about the reality of suicide prevention. Unfortunately, DEH wasn't willing to say much more than "it gets better we prommy
I freaking loathe You Will Be Found.
Not only is that song insulting, but after hearing it over and over in the musical marketing to this trainwreck I'd be happy to never hear it again.
exactly. The writers could have made any number of relevant, compassionate points. The story could have addressed the useless platitudes. It could have been willing to explore that some people get help, and that is encouraging and worthy of celebration. But some people don't -- that fact is both painful and deserving of serious discussion. But no - "it gets better
The lyrics of that song are also kind of eerie to me because it 's essentially what Evan wished happened after he broke his arm, but as we find out at the end of the show he was not "found." He was alone, "broken on the ground" without "a friend to carry him." No one came "to take him home." The song is clearly about Evan not Connor but nothing in the text ever acknowledges that Evan is rewriting his own story instead of confronting the truth and the song is played straight as a hopeful ballad.
@@michellealfini Yes I always interpreted the song to be what evan wished had happened. It's like they came so close to making a point but missed the mark just cuz it was easier to say empty words rather than addressing either connor's or evan's reality.
Even as someone who liked this musical (or at least its soundtrack; I never had the time to watch the bootleg) when I was younger, I loathed You Will Be Found.
Why will you be found? I don't know. The show never put the effort in to actually back its words up and do anything meaningful with the song.
"You'll be found guys please just trust me on this one :((("
The sheer hypocrisy of 'you will be found' when Connor will not be found, and in fact is being destroyed in memory - it makes me furious.
Evan wasn't even found, he got into a tragedy he did not own and got there, became the son for a family that never had it (Because Connor never got a chance and his family either), got some for a while, felt bad, was called out. No way in hell the "You Will be found" BS represent the musical.
The fact that Connor's family gets one song about their grief (Requiem) compared to Evan's numerous songs about his own loneliness really speaks to the kind of story they wanted to tell.
This really puts into words a lot of what I couldn't stand about Dear Evan Hanson. Good songs but a plot straight out of an early 2000s cringe comedy and all the care and tact those are known for. That discussion about the inspiration for the play really does explain a lot.
Thank you!
The play's origin story is practically its own dark comedy. Adults think it's gross when teenagers grieve for public approval on social media. Adults make a musical about grieving on social media. When audiences care more about the grief than the social media, the adults rebrand the whole show to be about mental health awareness. Doing what those teenagers did times 1000.
@@maevemonroe it almost feels too darkly funny to be real, a plot straight out of "It's Always Sunny".
Oh..it felt very 1950’s to me. The only good family is one with a dad and the mom stays home- she only has one job instead of 50 like most working women.🤦🏾♀️
I was hesitant to watch this video, because this musical has geneuinly been so near and dear to my heart. I have bursted out into tears from some of these songs and bring me so much comfort. but you make some really good points, you gained a new sub!
I hope that I got it across that my criticism isn't intended to disrespect people who found value in the musical. My hope isn't to try and take anything away from fans so much as ask, on my tiny internet platform, for media that respects grief if it's going to tackle death.
Thank you for hearing me out even though we started at different points in how we feel about this musical. Hopefully someday soon there will be a show with things that fans liked about DEH - especially the songs that were comforting - without the pieces that bothered me so much. Thanks again for listening.
This movie should have been about Connor or it should have been Zoe’s point of view
I agree. I could picture a musical where Connor is the main character - a deeply troubled young man, the only character in a musical who doesn't sing. And Zoe in my opinion deserved her own story. The actress in the movie gave such an honest, understated performance that it makes me dislike the movie more for sidelining her.
The one time they call him out in the show is “Good For You”. My friend and I said “Good For You” is one of the best moments in the show. It perfectly expresses four characters’ different points of view. Heidi’s frustrations of Evan not appreciating her attempts of caring for him, Alana’s annoyance of Connor’s death not making sense and her realising Evan is lying, Jared’s annoyance of how Evan has used him to get what he wants and Evan realising how much he messed up. It portrays 4 characters perfectly in a 5 minute scene.
And they cut it out of the film. The one time anyone calls out Evan’s horrible behaviour, it’s gone. This song is what led into “Words Fail” and him “apologising” if you could call it that.
This whole movie forces you to side with Evan as Jared’s constant state of telling Evan to stop, Heidi actually attempting to be there for Evan and Connor only being in the film for about 2 minutes removes anyone else’s story and feelings towards Evan.
The movie is terrible compared to the musical, and the movie cuts out so much crucial storytelling, I think if the creator of the video focused more no the musical and maybe even the book, they would see that it actually is a lot more accurate, the movie just cut out the wrong stuff and made it, honestly, terrible
I saw Dear Evan Hansen when it came to Toronto. I've lost a friend to suicide and have struggled with ideation. I was not in a great place when I saw the musical and You Will Be Found made me cry. Not because it was beautiful and it touched me, but because of that empty platitude, of the inanity of have Evan sing a song based on how he wished things had gone and not how they had gone.
He wasn't found. Not only was Connor not found, but Evan wasn't either. And the fact that people seem to be holding that up as inspirational? Awful. Just awful and that's without Evan seemingly gaslighting the sister on her fraught relationship with her brother. The whole thing was gross and thank you for making this video, because I think you've touched on how gross it is in a way that a lot of other videos allude to but don't quite hit the same way.
I really hope that some day there will be songs (and musicals, and movies) that can address what people like us have gone through in a more honest and helpful way. There are honest depictions of mental health, and grief, and suicide out there and it just sucks to hear DEH given so much credit when it's full of empty platitudes.
I'm sorry about your friend. It's strange - I never know exactly what to say to other people who have lost someone. I want there to be perfect words but everything I type seems wrong because I didn't know your friend, or you. Still: I am sorry. I don't know what it was like for you but I know what grieving is like for me. Thank you for listening. It means a lot that this video reached someone else who's lived through this sort of grief.
This is the best review on DEH I have ever seen. With such articulation, care, compassion, critique and understanding- you speak for everyone who has had any type of mental health illness, and you help break down what the show built us to be portrayed as. I had no idea just how toxic DEH was until now.
Thank you! I really believe in how important and powerful media can be. For me, stories were a lifeline at a difficult time. The movies we watch, the books we read, all of it shapes how we collectively see ourselves and each other. My hope as a reviewer is to point out what I see that's harmful to maybe help future story-tellers in their own analysis one day.
Thanks again for listening.
half of the critiques on the musical are just ''Evan bad'' or if it is the movie, ''Ben Platt old bad''
Okay can we talk about how advertising DEH as a Take That on people who exploit death for attention would've been a MUCH cooler idea and honestly a profound message? Instead, the creators gazed to deeply into the abyss and now THEY are exploiting others who are struggling. Ironic.
There was no way this movie was going to be good. By taking away the staging elements that made the show questionable, but not quite a disaster, and switching mediums to film, which, by nature, is more script heavy; the fundamental flaws of this show really shine through.
It was clear in the first few minutes to me that the movie was going to amplify the problems from the show. The stage musical starts with the parents singing about how hard it is to raise a teenager, feeling like there's no map. The first song in the movie is Evan singing about not feeling seen or heard.
I'm in film school right now, struggling my way through with ADHD, depression, and anxiety, because telling stories is something I want to do. It is something that has kept me sane, made me feel alive, for most of my short life. Your final message brought me to tears.
To anyone who reads this: I don't know if I will be successful, or even make enough money to feed myself. But I promise to create better stories than this. In any way I can, I promise I will do right by you, and by me.
wow this comment made me tear up a little. Thank you. I hoped so much that by publishing this thing it would maybe reach people who want to tell stories. Posting things on youtube is weird and nerve-wracking, sometimes it feels like sending a message in a bottle out into the ocean. So to read that someone who's in film school now saw this video and wants to create better stories made my whole day.
Very generously speaking, if this musical featured no e-mail forgery, no predatory & manipulative love relationship, just focused on everyone's non-malicious messed up actions and chain of misunderstandings, and didn't even try to sell itself as a mental illness awareness ally or something, I could've accept this as a cautionary tragedy with slightly hopeful "lesson learned" ending. Maybe.
But even with the most generous point of view, this musical was too much for me. Especially Evan's behavior reminds me of some real-life scammers who blame their illness for their blatant lies and scams.
I am quite depressed and anxious. But I don't want to use my condition as an excuse for my deliberate, malicious acts. Seeing somebody doing it makes me mad and sad. My mental illness isn't a free pass for a borderline crime I might commit... It's just there and I'm stuck with it. But others don't think so, I guess.
+ I forgot to add this... Thank you, thank you for this sincere criticism. This review articulates my thought about 'You Will Be Found' so well. Sure, some songs of this musical resonate well because they actually handle characters' thought process, but 'You Will Be Found' is absolutely not one of those songs. It's a brainwashing.
If that alternative reality version of the musical -- with no forged emails and no love relationship, maybe some misunderstandings -- existed, I probably wouldn't like it. But I wouldn't have felt strongly enough to make a whole UA-cam rant about it. Probably. I think.
I feel the same way as you're describing, I think, about depression. Sometimes it's a big roadblock for me. It's an illness I live with. I forgive myself for responding late to emails. I'm not always proud of choices I've made and I think I can always do more to be a better person. But it makes me angry as well to see an illness used to justify malicious acts. There's a difference between mistakes and malice, and DEH really crosses that line for me. And that makes the story seem "inspirational."
He didn't do it on purpose. He actually tried to tell the Murphy's but they wouldn't listen. Keep in mind we are taking about a kid who would rather go hungry than risk having to speak to the pizza delivery person. This is also a kid who jumped from a tree in a suicide attempt. Although that seems like a very ridiculous way to attempt suicide it worked in the script. And also Evan was very afraid of hurting Cynthia. He says he had never seen someone so sad. Of course Jared tells him he would totally devastate the Murphy's if he told them the truth when he went to dinner at their house. A combination of all of this and you have a very screwed up 17 year old that probably just wishes he could be alone in his room, tryin to keep from hurting a grieving mother even more.
I'm glad to see someone finally talking about how terrible it's DEH. It's a product, a show who doesn't care about mental health, but about how make money and awards the producers and songwriters (which are even extremely overrated) will won.
I feel so angry when I see really good musicals, as Hadestown, Waitress, or In The Heights and everybody's talking about jamie doesn't have the same attettion that DEH. I hated so much. It's so comercial, it's disrespectiful. A 13 reasons why shaped as a broadway musical. And the worst: evan's character it's builded considerating his anxious to make people like him, and forget that he's a liar who had the opportunity to tell the truth.
I also feel angry about how often musicals like Dear Evan Hansen monopolize public attention. Come From Away or Great Comet deserved the Tony the year that DEH won!
Mental health, and loss, and grieving are topics worthy of a story that takes them seriously. I feel the same way about DEH: it's commercial, it's disrespectful and at the end of the day it feels to me like a product.
I once heard that the musical/movie would be better if there was a plot twist where it’s revealed that Conner didn’t commit suicide, but was murdered Evan.
And suddenly the whole movie makes perfect sense. Someday some brave soul will recut the movie with that as a twist ending. A braver soul than I am, because I don't think I can handle that video edit.
Can't believe i once called it my favorite musical. Songs are beautiful, for example For Forever, but when you see the context it's terrifying.
I've said this before in other videos' comments, but the character of Connor takes such a backseat in the story. This was the part that frustrated me the most, I spent the whole movie thinking about him, and then when in you will be found Evan's platitudes turn into a collage of his face like this was inspiring I felt like I was in a dystopia. I couldn't even articulate how awful it was
This film is the Autism Speaks of Mental Health *AND I HATE IT.*
DEH really does just render Connor a plot device. Some reviews mentioned that they liked "Sincerely Me" because it was upbeat, a more musical-feeling song. Which honestly baffled me because Evan & Jared are writing letters, meant to be for a grieving family, faking a whole friendship. A young person who has been dead for a few days is being used as a puppet. And that's some people's favorite song in the movie!?!
@@eatatjoes6751 you managed to say in 13 words what took me 20 minutes to try and communicate. that's perfectly it. If I could embroider, I would embroider this comment and hang it up somewhere.
@@maevemonroe I really hate this musical so much now that I've looked past the peppy songs and realized what it is.
I've only seen that scene in reviews but...I always had the impression that it was meant to be disturbing...granted, I had that feeling with a lot of DEH stuff and realizing that it's not was a big eye opener for me...
DEH shows a person taking their own life and in the process, this brings their family to be more interested in them, regretting that they didn’t spend more time with them. On top of it, they have more admiration in death than in life.
For those feeling worthless and that life would be better for everyone if they were gone, this film is nearly criminal. A thought many have before taking their own life is the fantasy of how much people would miss them and that that would finally make people see them.
I think there was a place for this story. But treating it like it is inspirational is such a misstep.
4 people died over the course of my time in highschool, all suicides. I remember what it was like, how heavy the air was, how people couldn’t seem to talk- the idea that all teenagers would rally around a dead people (like this movie gleefully puts forth) is disgusting to me. all it did was make the living sadder. This was a beautiful video, and i’m incredibly sorry for your loss.
Thank you for listening. It wasn't easy to talk about and I imagine it's not easy to listen to. I think it's important to talk about because our social conversation about suicide is shaped, for better and for worse, by media.
@@maevemonroe 100%
You have no idea how much I wish I could hug you. This was clearly a rough subject that opened up old wounds, but I’m glad that you shared your feelings on this. Especially since the main catalyst affects you so deeply.
Thank you, I really appreciate this comment. I thought the most honest way to try and talk about what I see as a problem that needs to be addressed was by telling part of my story. Thanks again for listening and for the kind words.
"It's speaking over us, and it's telling us to shut up."
Thank you so much for making this, I've hated the stage show for years, but people always told me to shut up because this show helped them. I don't want to take that away from them, but this show enforces stigmas that affect my life, so I should be allowed to talk about it. People always ignore the origin story of DEH when they claim that if you don't support this show, you don't support people with mental illnesses. It's super telling to me that it sounds like Pasek & Paul never actually spoke to or cared about the kid who 'inspired' the show. It's frustrating because there could be a good show in this idea, but this ain't it; it's from the wrong person's perspective and has the wrong priorities. If anything, how the show has marketed itself demonstrates what they supposedly originally set out to critique.
It's worth noting that at that same Tony Awards, multiple other shows (Bandstand, Great Comet) addressed mental health much better that were ignored in favor of DEH's platitudes. I also really hate how the show uses the cast as a marketing point like they literally sold hoodies w a cast arm. It's a commercial product, and they don't actually care about you.
look Next To Normal isn't perfect but it at least tries to take the perspective of the people dealing with grief-induced mental illness and it acknowledges that no amount of drugs or therapy will help everything if we're not willing to communicate honestly about what's actually wrong
I love Next to normal. The musical dont have a "happy" ending, and it show how complicated mental illnes is, its not easy and you cant erase, you have to live with that and accept that. I said as someone who have depresssion and other problems ( its very hard to write in english, I dont no the right words for the disturbs). Sorry for my poor english, I am from Brazil. Hihi
Just wow. This video is incredible. Thank you. As someone who has struggled and is still struggling I can not tell you how much I appreciate this beautiful analysis of Dear Evan Hansen. I have not seen the play or the movie but upon hearing the plot I instantly found this story troubling and the song “ you will be found” deeply upsetting because in my darkest movements, no matter how amazing my support system is, and they are amazing, I still feel so alone. Thank you for this.
Thank you for listening. I've also felt the way I think you're describing - when I'm at my lowest point, I can feel alone even around people I love. So "you will be found" seems wrong twice over. Both as a person who grieves and as someone who feels a sense of guilt that I'm not able to be instantly well for the people who want to see me happy.
Thanks again for hearing this analysis out. It means a lot to me that it's worth listening to.
I hate so much that DEH just glosses over the absolute erasure of Conner’s true personality. By the end of the story Conner is gone and replaced by a prop, leaving his family to struggle to reconcile their real memories of him with the falsehoods crafted by Evan
I'm so glad to find a critical analysis that goes deeper than "Ben Platt old dear Evan Hansen bad" (although both of these things are true.)
this xd
I actually cried watching this. I could never explain my feelings as eloquently as you have. I have hated this musical ever since it first premiered on Broadway. Thank you so much for this video.
Thank you for listening. I had to record a couple of tries at this video because I started crying. It's not easy to talk about and I'm sure it's not easy to listen to, but thank you for this comment.
As someone who has also lost a person I was really close to to suicide I really appreciated your analysis of Dear Evan Hansen, and more generally how movies misrepresent mental health in a very dangerous way that further increases biases against people with mental illnesses. Such an important topic and covered SO well. Love your channel and I look forward to your well-deserved exponential growth!
It means a lot to hear that this was a tiny bit helpful to someone else who has lost someone. Hopefully in time our cultural conversation around mental health will get us to a place where media does more to combat biases and help us all heal. I can't speak to your experience, or anyone else's but my own, but stories/songs/media were really helpful to me when I was putting my life back together again.
Thank you for letting me know that the analysis was appreciated. It really means a lot.
I'm an example of a person who like this musical, but the movie version has let me down. It's not the actors' fault. Even though it's theoretically the SAME STORY it's not entirely...
1. DEH haven't a "good" story - OK. In the movie this ending leave a lot to be desired. After watching the movie, I draw different conclusions than after watching the musical (or reading the book). I believe the original presents this story more favorably. There I have the impression that there is no good (and unjust) ending. Besides, on Broadway, at least Hansen has any remorse, he can even be understood. We can see that he too knows that his actions are wrong and that he too has empathy. After watching the movie, I have a different feeling. He takes no consequences and the last few minutes are an attempt of blameless himself.
2. This is not a story about hope - definitely! Evan's character is tragic and his happiness is only temporary. The story gives no prescription on how "to be found". Does that mean you have to lie to get someone to like you? Can the death of one person give another a reason to live? BUT... was that supposed to be a *main* message of film? One of the first threads in this story is showing that being yourself is the most important thing. This will give you deliverance. _Today is going to be a good day. And here's why: because today, today at least you're you and - that's enough._ Many people with social anxieties and/or depression have a similar problem - some of them don't consider themselves good and worthy of attention. They are sure, that who they are, makes them worse people. That disease makes them worse people. Evan is going through it. He blames himself for everything from the beginning, he knows that whatever he does, it will end in failure. And he gets into a situation where he has the opportunity to introduce himself as someone he is not at all. At first it gives him satisfaction, but everyone knows what the finish is like.
3. And yes, Evan is selfish. What he does should in no way be justified. At the moment when Evan apologizes ("Words Fail"), he still only thinks about himself and how he is feeling. His self-esteem is so disturbed that even at such a moment he wonders what others would think: _What if everyone saw? What if everyone knew? Would they like what they saw? Or would they hate it too?_ . But... the people with thoughts of suicide, who are struggling with such enormous problems and who are so badly broken... seems to be "egoists". Depression can so change the way you think and perceive the world, that you think about ending your pain, instead of wondering what kind of pain you are causing to others if you take your own life. *EDIT: I'm not speaking for everyone here! Anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety may have different reasons. Every mental problem can be and is different.*
@@gogohas92eyes Please, forgive me if you felt offended by my words. I didn't want to put it in a way that would hurt anyone. I well aware that every mental problem is *different* and everyone may have *different* concerns.
I've no right to make a diagnosis here, but from the way Evan behaves, I can shyly conclude that he has a personality disorder, more specifically _avoidant personality_ . Zero self-esteem, eternal guilt and fear of rejection are almost inherent for this disorder. Therefore, I believe that the more important message of this film should be like: "Be yourself! You are not worse than others! Don't pretend to be someone you are not!" This could be some better message for people with *this* particular problem. Not "You will be found". In the context of this story, these four words have no meaning, cause no one in this film is "found." Everyone goes back to the same point they started from. I agree.
I really don't defend this movie. I realize that this story is very "slippery". It all depends on who you identify with - Evan, Zoe, Connor, Alana... The musical and movie simply lacks the development of each ALL of plots and problems, not only Evan's. Connor's plot is badly omitted. Nobody really knows anything about him, knows the reason for his suicide (I recommend the book if you want to find out) or mentions nothing good. It is very hurtful to the people who identify with he the most.
@@gogohas92eyes Edit for your edit: I agree that the word "disgusting" was misguided here. I meant more that it's a sadly truth. I've already edited my first comment. My English is not good and I've a lack of vocabulary. Believe me, suicides NOT "disgusts" me, and that's not what I meant. Sorry for the unfair selection of vocabulary again! The topic of mental health problems is no stranger to me and I support very, very much anyone who suffers any from them!
I assumed the audience was supposed to recognise YWBF as a lie. The lyrics fit his false story about falling from the tree, looking up at the sun coming in through the leaves, looking around and a friend finding him... but we know it's not true...so the audience should recognise it as false and be disappointed with Evan....no?
This movie is very dangerous for mentally ill people and doesn't portray it well and doesn't show how to comfort grieving people. It is insensitive to all that people have gone through these things
Even when I was a teenager who projected onto Dear Evan Hansen for being a “sad boi”, the origins of the show always seemed weird to me. I knew this story because they saw students exploiting someone’s suicide, but the musical was full of pop music and feel-good platitudes. Like, as a 14-year-old, I couldn’t understand the juxtaposition between the dark origins of that event and the overall tone of the final product.
Now, I see that this juxtaposition exists because they turned the message of the musical into a simple, feel-good platitude to make money-they both story-wise and literally exploited a person’s suicide.
I’m horrified.
Worst thing about the show is how well it could work as a dark comedy under different writing and directing. Make Evan explicitly incorrect, give him actual life lessons and consequences for his actions. It doesn't make sense how it is now
I was a massive fan of this musical when i was in high school-the songs and the fandom around it really helped me through a lot but you’re totally right. The way me and all my friends in this fandom found comfort in the way that we were able to find each other through this show and in retrospect maybe that’s what we all really liked about this show. Part of it was also because out of the context of the show, these songs are vaguely comforting. Like without knowing why they’re singing you will be found, it’s just a big chorus of other people telling each other that you’re not alone, which when this musical came out was better than what we had. You’re totally right though- we need better and this show is really messed up especially after they took out the songs actually holding evan accountable in any way 😬😬
That's the beautiful part of fandom, isn't it? One of the many beautiful parts I think is exactly what you said: "The way me and all my friends in this fandom found comfort in the way that we were able to find each other"
I was never part of the DEH fandom but I've been a part of a lot of fandoms, especially back in middle and high school. One of the best things for me was that. I made a post then I was 14 after I lost my dad. A lot of people I knew offline didn't know what to say, and that's fine - there is no perfect thing to say when a person is grieving. But my fandom friends somehow did. I have never seen so many beautiful GIFs in my whole life and somehow, that was the one perfect thing to say when a person is grieving. Fandom can be pretty great sometimes.
P.S.: Sorry it took me so long to answer! This week has been bonkers between work and holiday and then work again. Thank you for this comment :)
This was beautifully articulated and argued and I couldn’t agree more with your message. Like you, I lost my dad to suicide; 8 years later, my family and I are still feeling the ripple effects in the most fundamental of ways. What’s especially disappointing about DEH is that they gave Zoe a complicated relationship with her brother-something I can relate to deeply but rarely see discussed when it comes to loss-yet did nothing meaningful with it. Learning the origins of the story behind the musical makes it even worse, knowing it came from such a cynical place. I’m sure others will tell better stories in the future; in the meantime, remember to take care of yourself and know that you’re not alone in your experience ❤️
Thank you so much for listening. I never in a million years would have imagined that I'd write something that would be heard by someone else who also lost their dad to suicide. I don't know you, so I don't know if it's helpful to say this but I hope that you are doing well. Grief ripples and it works in strange ways. Thank you for letting me know that I'm not alone. I know intellectually that other people have been through this, but you don't meet a lot of them. So - thank you.
@@maevemonroe of course ❤️ I know it’s a bummer of a club to be part of, but there are other members out there who can relate to what you’ve gone through and the many (often unexpected) ways that it can continue to effect you once the initial shock wears off and you move beyond the societally-approved window for grieving and try your best to rediscover normalcy. For what it’s worth, as an Internet rando who happened upon your video and felt the genuine pain in your words and expression, I hope that you’re able to find a path for healing that works for you. I can’t speak to how it felt for you to make this video, whether it was helpful for you or not, but it certainly helps me to hear from someone who’s experienced a similar loss. So thank you, too, for putting yourself out there. ❤️
THANK YOU! Pretty much every piece of criticism for this movie I've seen seems to delve into how bad of an adaptation it is to a pretty great musical, where the tone is mostly "yes the musical had some iffy parts but the movie is what made it BAD!" Nobody wants to admit that what happened at the 2017 Tonys with DEH is what happened with the 2007 Oscars with Crash - at best it deserved one of the awards it got. Of course the movie was horrible, but so was the musical. It had like three songs that were nice, one that was great one and some pretty good performances. I'm usually very protective of musicals because they bring me so much happiness that I even have a soft spot for the truly terrible ones sometimes, but honestly everything about the story and the book of DEH the musical was absolute garbage. Idk how people left the theatres without a truly rotten taste in their mouths because that's how it felt watching the show.
Musicals are under-appreciated! I also feel very protective of them. I have ever since we rented Little Shop of Horrors when I was little. (Maybe watching that so young is the subconscious reason why I'm so bad at keeping my plants alive now?)
In my opinion DEH has always gotten more credit than it deserved for tackling difficult topics. It makes me think that audiences feel so deprived of stories that are willing to address mental health, loss, and grieving that even insincere stories resonate. But that doesn't make DEH a great musical. It makes it a symptom of a culture that isn't willing to have conversations it desperately needs to have. We deserve better stories.
DEH makes me feel gross and fills me with extensional dread. I have had many close calls with taking my own life and the thought of someone like Evan taking advantage of that situation is icky. DEH should only be an aburdist dark comedy at best and a horror movie at worst. Also why the fuck do people ship Evan and Conner
It's a horror movie premise with a traditional, inspirational musical theater soundtrack. And the content of the show itself seems uninterested in dealing with the disconnect between those two things. Which strikes me as irresponsible when tackling an issue that is so real and so painful for people.
As for the shipping: I have no idea. When I saw the poster for the stage show I thought maybe this was a coming out story because all I saw was Evan and the signed cast. But how people can ship them knowing the plot just breaks my brain.
As someone affected by suicidal tendancies and depression, I have to say: THANK YOU. This movie was an absolute disgrace to the thing it tries to spread awareness about that I’m honestly shocked more people haven’t called it out for the bile that it is.
The movie doesn’t have to explain why Conner has a “moment of kindness” because it’s shown through the acting how bad he feels for lashing out at Evan without a real reason. It was him trying to reach out and make amends.
The thing is, I think that there could be a good musical made based on that premise. I feel like it could be a powerful piece of media if it was portrayed through Zoe for example. But that would require the writers to go beyond platitudes and actually deal with the realities of grief. Especially if you didn't have the best relationship with said person. I love Zoes part of Requiem, because it really reflects my own feelings towards a family member that died. And at the same time I hate that it is part of this musical.
Honestly, this story does a good job with setting everything up, but never follows through with everything that was set up. Not a single character goes through any drastic change. They're all flat - exactly the same at the end. Nobody changes. This show needed to be deeply revised before being marked as "complete". It has great ideas and potential, but doesn't really follow through with anything that was initially introduced at the beginning and it's honestly a shame.
I would have preferred this plot to go the "cautionary black comedy tale" route. Sincerely Me was such a brilliant number about how they turned this kid who killed himself into their puppet. It was so morbid and dark but it made me laugh and think "okay, I'll go with this surrealist route" but then it tries to be sincere afterwards and I just. Idk. The desicions they made were so jarring.
Anyway, great video!
Yeah, Sincerely Me was the only number I enjoyed more. I also think that number is one of the only ones where the music seems to reflect what is happening more and does more interesting things musically instead of just trying to sound like an uplifting ballad, which might have something to do with it as well. If the whole show had leaned more into this morbid humour it could actually have been a very strong black comedy. They could have done it so the show's conclusion would cause the audience to question whether their own participation of 'viewing' the show and their own enjoyment of the songs was morally right and critique the exploitative presentation of suicide and mental health issues in media. It could also have raised really interesting questions about social media and the exposure of teenage suicide. However, the creators didn't commit to this approach enough (it's hinted at but never goes into it enough because it's too busy focusing on Evan's pain and creating uplifting ballads that don't add much to the show's themes musically) so we get a tonal mess of a show and an unsatisfying ending that brushes over a lot of the things that the characters go through.
I'm reminded of how Heathers, for all its dark humour, specifically avoided having actual suicide in its story (er, with one arguable exception near the end), focusing around either murders framed to look like suicides or thwarted suicide attempts. I'm not saying stories, even comedies, shouldn't tackle suicide, just that I commend Heathers for knowing its boundaries. It also never claimed to be 'inspirational'
I think a lot of the problems with the messaging would be at least helped if they used “a part of me” instead of “you will be found” because it focuses on the feelings of the people around Connor who were close to him or just went to school with him instead of the empty messaging.
This is really well made--especially when considering how heavy and personal of subject matter this is, so I was really shocked when I saw that view + subscriber count. I don't have anything profound to say, but you did a really good job on this (as someone who not only has been suicidal in the past, but has had family members who have taken their own lives). Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you! It means a lot to hear that my perspective was helpful. I really want there to be media that's helpful for people who have gone through what we have, and sharing my story was the best way I could think of to try and communicate why I care about mental health in media.
I saw the musical and the movie (before I saw this video). I saw You Will Be Found performed at the 2018 Macy's Day Parade and it blew me away. I fell in love with the soundtrack before I knew the plot.The music is genius but the plot is yucky. Thank you for sharing your story. You have incredible diction by the way. Very pleasant to listen to and to understand.
As a high schooler back then, I had always related myself to Evan. I wasn't diagnosed or anything, but I defintely had and still have anxiety even today. Watching these kinds of videos, has made me realize how much of a toxic influence Dear Evan Hansen was to my life. I would seperate myself the more I listened to these songs, and it made me miss out on a lot of events, Me projecting myself as Evan in part was a terrible thing to do. I love the music, but the plot is super dark. Also I forgot to mention the film cut out so many core songs, and it instead of calling out Hansen for his lies, praised him even more
When I first found the musical, in a time when I was deeply hurting, I heard the song You Will Be Found and found encouragement in it. That was before I understood the story, before I began my journey with therapy, and before this movie ever came out. I had even considered asking my parents to go see the musical. Now, I'm so very glad I didn't. I already struggle to speak to my family about my experiences, and I think this story would have hurt their understanding and empathy for my experiences. More than it ever could have helped. Thank you so much for speaking on this. I could tell it took a lot out of you, and honestly, it took a lot out of me too. I appreciate what you said more than I could express in a comment section. Thank you.
this resonates a lot with me. the way that this musical makes people who see it feel like they suddenly understand mentally ill people is super harmful. people who never gave a shit about my mental health suddenly act like they are the biggest mental health advocates after seeing this show. it's maddening and unhelpful.
okay, so I have no idea if a song recommendation is helpful but I highly recommend Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World. It has a lot of the elements I think resonated with people in You Will Be Found - it's simple, beautifully sung, and addresses grief. What makes me love it is that it seems to come from a very honest place - it was written as a tribute to two women who the band knew. Anyway, I have no idea if it was helpful or even appropriate to share my taste in music but hey. It was a song that was helpful to me in my most difficult hours. It's one that's still helpful even though I am now (to borrow an expression you used) on a journey with therapy.
Thank you for listening.
I really wish she had articulated how she thinks things should be handled. I got out of that video thinking, what would the perfect movie be?
This is a powerful video that calls out the empty platitudes and exploitation of Paul and Passek's work. The fact that Dear Evan Hansen got so popular despite how terribly written and dangerous its message is boggles my mind. I guess the songs sounded pretty enough to gloss over how it actively uses suicide as a plot device without any sort of sensitivity.
Thank you for this. I will admit that before I lost someone to suicide, I liked the stage musical. As a teen, I related to it on the basis of having anxiety, feeling like an outsider, and just desperately wishing things would get better. Because it does sell you hope. But relating to it now as a suicide loss survivor after the past 1.5 years, I feel so differently and so sensitively to this musical and media that discusses the topic in general. You cannot save someone by just being there, by just "checking in on them" as people seem to repeat over-and-over again online. Those are good things to do in general, but it is an insulting idea to me after losing someone that if you love them enough, care enough, you'll miraculously save them. That's not how it works, because I know how much so many of us loved the people we lost. Love is not enough to fight the very real battles that suicidal people go through. People who are mentally ill and suicidal need easy access to resources beyond just the people that love them. Professional help. And even then, it can still be a struggle. And the people who lose them need so much more support and empathy after going through something so horrific than what society provides them with. So many emotions watching this, but just basically wanted to let you know I feel with you, so much. Thank you.
Thank you for making this ❤ As somebody that suffers from anxiety and other mental health issues, it is very troubling how Connor's suicide is treated as a plot device, and how Evan was "suddenly" cured and didn't need medication to help manage his health when he became popular. I feel that the creators blanket this musical/film under the mental health awareness umbrella because the main character is mentally ill and not many mediums cover mental illness, however it was poorly handled. I feel that the musical didn't get much criticism on that since the music is very enjoyable (I always felt that way, I liked the music but wasn't a fan of the story). The movie, however, exposes the story to wider audiences and thus makes these issues more obvious.
I also loved the point you made about how "You Will Be Found," while a pretty song, it shouldn't be marketed as song that makes all your problems go away. For people that suffer from mental illness, it doesn't take kind words to suddenly make all the bad things go away. It takes a lot of therapy and medication (me speaking from my own experiences).
Anywhoo, very well-made video. I love how articulate and well-spoken you are 😊
Thanks for listening! Getting better, in both all the research I've read and my own experiences - takes a lot of therapy and medication like you've described. And time. And going back and healing things you thought were healed before. The people who care about you help. But "you will be found" is about as accurate as "someday my prince will come" -- even if someone who cares is there, it doesn't solve everything. And oversimplifying both illness and the process of healing is a really bad idea, I think, in a seriously presented drama/musical that advertisers directly to people who are struggling.
I've come to understand more about the show through criticism of the adaptation here, and it's helped me see a lot of the problems inherent in the show and film. It's sad because I really do like some of the songs, but I totally agree that the story is not healthy and glorifies a pretty horrible storytelling choice.
Also, You Will Be Found is definitely not the case for a lot of us. Even when I've screamed things from the rooftop, I haven't gotten much help (I have two chronic illnesses, one auto immune, one neurological, both cause extreme physical pain, one is known as "The Suicide Disease" and I've seen a lot of people in my communities end up succumbing, even WITH attempting to get help from medical doctors and others. My family didn't even realize I'd attempted three times, and just sort of assumed I was having a bad pain day when I didn't wake up for hours on a few days spaced a few years apart). For those with strictly mental health conditions, it's even less likely someone will take them seriously enough to help, and that really sucks.
Also, as someone with extreme anxiety, seeing Evan's little...antics on screen really annoy me. I, and others I know with anxiety, tend to hide and downplay things a LOT more. At least I hope my attempts at looking "normal" in society don't stand out as badly as that.
Fothergill's disease? Apologies if that's incorrect, I remember reading about the condition referred to that way. Chronic pain shaped my dad's life in his last two years. While I don't know what your experience has been like, my dad described an endless series of doctors visits where they either offered him a medication that "would definitely help" (they never did) or dismissed his pain. The way we understand health is very much focused on "getting better" as if that's a linear process. That's harmful, I think, for people with conditions that go into remission and come back,.
I don't know if anyone will see this, but there's a musical called Next to Normal that I think you should check out. I don't know a lot about mental health at all, but I really think Next to Normal tackles it in a better way.
Basically, 16 years ago, a mother lost her child. This loss crushed her. However, she actually sees delusions of the child which is something she's been taking medicine for ever since the time she lost her child I believe. The musical focuses on the mother, father, and their daughter as they cope with experiencing loss, supporting a family member with mental health issues, drifting apart, and how sometimes mental health can feel like a question that can only be answered with maybes.
I haven't seen Next to Normal live (someday I hope) but I've listened to it on Spotify. It seems like the story handles the material with respect, honesty and depth. From what I've heard it communicates the point you're making - that mental health is "a question that can only be answered with maybes."
Someone I know who lives with bipolar disorder said something very similar to the ideas in I Miss the Mountains. That person is, as far as I know, doing their best to stay with a program of therapy and medication. And yet they felt as though they missed their old selves - that the highs and the pain were more real than the alternative. On some level I can understand that feeling even if I don't know what it's like to live with bipolar disorder. Pain was such a big part of my experience at one time that it feels like a part of me. There's almost an allure to holding on to it - and a fear that if I let go I will lose something.
All of this to say that I think Next to Normal is, as you said, a much more nuanced piece from what I know about it.
Pasek and Paul have one stellar quality and that is the ability to write songs about nothing that say nothing and sound beautiful.
I don't know if this was explained in the stage musical but it definitely wasn't in the movie, and that's Conner's perspective. Personally I would have loved to see more of what was written in the book which had Conner's perspective and his thought process and actions that led up to taking his own life. Conner felt like he was losing his last connection, the last person to actually listen to and stand by him so I think I get what they were trying to go for, in the sense that friendship and human connection is important for people suffering with mental illness and even people who aren't however mental illness isn't explainable, you can't logic your way out of it (I've tried) or have one small factor change in your life that fixes it in a snap, so whilst I think I get what they were going for, it didn't worked because they focused on the wrong parts and brought about an idea that it's all about circumstances. It's not, I'm going to use Billie Eilish here as an example because she's a well-known artist. Billie, despite being successful and loved by her fans still suffers from depression, and that's not because she's ungrateful or uncaring, it's just something she can't help, it's a mindset, it's well, it's an illness, now obviously I'm not saying her life is perfect, it's not obviously because no one's is, also we don't know everything about her personal life because that would be rather creepy. The point is that mental illness is debilitating and shouldn't be downplayed by any piece of media this includes tiktoks, youtube videos, books, podcasts, not a single piece of media is untouched.
They seriously hit a wall taking out “Part of Me”, it’s ACTUALLY impactful and got me through living through a friend’s attempt + that near loss
This was such a magnificent, well- spoken video! I have to say that I think the musical score in the show is phenomenal and on surface level, the music can be touching for those who are struggling with mental health. But then if you look into the plot of the show, it falls apart.
I wish that the show/ film would have framed Evan as the main antagonist. They try so hard to frame him as the hero, and he basically gets off with a slap on the wrist.
Andd I was appalled how Connor was essentially the driving force of the story, yet he had so little screen time. And most of what we see of him in the film is just the fabricated version of Connor that Evan has made up
The show/film could have been a better story if Evan was the main antagonist. If this had been Zoe's story, we could have seen a complicated story about pain and then healing. I even imagined a musical where Connor is the main character - maybe he's the only character in the musical who doesn't sing? That wouldn't have been a very crowd-pleasing musical, but it might have commented on the despair and isolation that the character must have been feeling.
Thank you for listening.
@@maevemonroe Both excellent ideas! The show definitely could have benefited from the story being the Murphy's, not the story of some kid who doesn't know them.
I'm so intrigued now to see a re-written version of the show from Zoe's point of view. It could go into a lot of incredible topics of grief and healing of a family member's passing. Maybe it could alternate between the POVs of the Murphy family
This musical might as well have a number called 'If You're Sad, Just Be Happy Instead!' - how insulting. And what you say about this musical pushing the idea of saying the right thing is so true. What a damaging messaging, and a sad thing I had to come to terms with is saying the right thing doesn't usually make a difference, and that most of the time, we as their loved ones, are powerless to help them. To imply that 'saying the right thing' will magically fix things is terrible and blames those of us left behind who already go through so much. I'm sorry for your loss, I can hear the pain in your voice, and I feel it too. And I can only hope that one day, there will be a better musical about mental health that actually speaks to those of us in true pain.
this...made me so emotional. as someone who has struggled for years with suicidal ideation, listening to someone speak on a dead loved one this way makes me think about all of the times friends have convinced me to live another day. this video has made me reconsider every time someone has told me they love me in a time of need and i told myself they were lying. thank you for changing my perspective on my own life.
Thank you for listening. I can remember a feeling like what you're describing - that someone who says they love me isn't really telling the truth. It was a really tough feeling. Sometimes it's still there even though I'm doing a lot better, and it's hard. For what it's worth from a stranger on the internet - I hope you have a good day today.
I was trying to write a longer comment about my own experience with battling mental illness and about how bad this movie is, but You actually said everything that needed to be said. So, I'm just gonna say thank you. This video is so good.
I found this video pretty randomly and had to subscribe almost instantly- amazing video. I dealt w multiple traumas growing up and mental illness is still a huge part of my life, it feels alienating to see all of this "mental health" media come to such meaningless and even harmful conclusions. From the way you speak I just felt so understood and heard, I almost cried. Thank you for explaining a heartbreaking subject so eloquently
Thanks for listening. It felt strange to talk about my own experience like this in a piece of criticism I planned to publish, but I thought that the best way to explain why media is important was to talk about it in a personal way.
I hate how the one song that calls Evan out for his lies (good for you) is cut from the movie! I totally agree with your opinions on the musical. The portrayal of mental illness is horrible in DEH
When I saw this, I ended up finding the movie too depressing. I felt like I was able to relate to Evan, as having dealt with depression and loathing/social anxiety/desperation for closeness to others. I had also felt that he was young, and had to learn the hard way about the consequences of lying. The fact that he lost the girl he loved, and them flashing back to where he tried to commit suicide, just reminded me of some of my past struggles. The emotions were too raw and harsh for me. It's better if I don't keep reliving my past, and focus more on where I am now. Plus, it started to cause me thoughts that believing lies weren't all bad. I quickly realized how messed up that was. I kept thinking about wishing there had been something that made his character happier in general.
For me, this film was toxic.
I do see how "You will be found" can be a false hope. It's almost like it fits the way the story has him lying to himself, and others.
Theres two experiences in my life that made me hate DEH for most of the reasons you said. Around the time it had first released I had attempted on my life because in a way i felt lost and trapped. Also years earlier a kid in our community committed suicide. Some people would fake they knew the kid and... DEH reminds me of both of those things in horrible ways. DEH makes me consider the horrific possibility of feeling that horrible lost feeling of suicidal urges and when ... when it happens after.... someone basically tears apart everything you went through to make it their own... to erase the last thing you feel you could control if youre suicidal. I know my comments about my own experiences may concern people so I'm going to end this by saying I'm recovering now and doing a lot better. I still find DEH like a horror story to me. In the end it feels like a story about Someone who did commit suicide and their loss to their family... doesnt see how those feel who experience loss or the feeling connor felt.
Thank you for articulating what has always bothered me about this show. I’ve struggled with suicidal ideation most of my adult life and attempted twice. The idea that *this* show is supposed to be a comfort to me is such an insult
Agreed. Even though You Will be Found is beautifully sung, the lyrics itself are glib, corny, and sounds like it’s written by a 12 year old.
I've known about DEH for years, and...oh my god. You Will Be Found? When the story is specifically about how Connor wasn't found in time? I'm speechless. Thank you for making me think about this.
There is actually a cut song called 'Part of me' That was replaced with You Will Be found. Instead of just saying 'Things will totally get better!, Part of Me has more of a message along the lines of, even though your presence may seem insignificant, your absence will be noted and missed. “I was on the same bus as him” “My son went to school with him”
The kid on the bus knew he was there, he might not have paid attention to that, but once his presence was absent it was clear.
I'm sorry for your own loss. It really hit me at the very end of your video and I wanted to leave a comment to say how very sorry I am. Your plea is heartfelt and I hope more people see your video.
Thank you, that is kind of you to say. I was a little hesitant about sharing my own story but I thought that the best way to communicate why this is important was by talking about why I care about this so much. I really appreciate this comment, thank you.
I can't help myself but cry at this very moment after finishing this video. I miss my dad so much 💔
Great vid!
Great video. Glad you included 13 Reasons Why clips, it's the first thing I thought of when you talked about media presentations of Suicide/mental health stuff. The plot reminds me of Worlds Greatest Dad starring Robin Williams. If you haven't seen it, maybe check it out
Just watched the trailer for Worlds Greatest Dad and I am definitely going to check it out. Somehow I haven't seen it yet even though I've watched a ton of Robin Williams movies.
Yes , "Worlds GreaTest Dad" is better and has an equally enGAGing Soundtrack. Particularly the " I Hope I Become A Ghost " seGment. It was directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. Weird note: tHe mascot of Evan's school is a Bobcats.
I watched the video and it hurt to be honest. She really helped me see more of the core issues with it. I don’t know if I’ll ever see the musical the same way.
Part of the reason I have such a soft spot for the musical is because I found it when i was so depressed before transition and the music really helped to keep me alive if I’m being honest. So idk if I’ll ever be able to hate dear Evan Hansen because of that. But it doesn’t excuse it.
Overall I’m glad I watched the video. It opened my eyes to why so many people seem to hate it so much and how deeply problematic the musical is. I definitely need to take some time to process this. It’s hard to believe that something that helped to keep me alive is so terribly insensitive at its core. I feel a weird sense of relief to see it more for what it is but also a sense of loss towards a show that helped me live at the time.
I just thought about something that this show/movie shares with another controversial story about mental health and suicide, "Thirteen Reasons Why". In "Dear Evan Hansen", Connor has about three scenes before his death, only one of which involves Evan. In the book version of "Thirteen Reasons Why", Clay is at best an acquaintance of Hannah Baker (in the Netflix series, the two are shown to have been coworkers and much more romantically interested in each other, but that still doesn't change something that I'll mention in a bit). In both stories, the main character doesn't really have a strong emotional connection to the person who died, so the stories end up being around the suicide rather than about the suicide (if that makes sense).
I think that one way that they could have fixed both stories would have been to have the main characters being the parents (most likely the mom, but the dad is also acceptable), who are trying to come to terms with the deaths of their children. If either Clay or Evan need to be a part of the story, have it so that the characters can help either parent understand their children after they have passed away. Specifically, we could have Clay and Evan be Hannah's boyfriend and Connor's pen pal, respectively, so that they both have genuine feelings about the suicides of people they were close to, instead of random people that they met once or twice in the last few years or days. Specifically for each story, have Clay find Hannah's tapes rather than the tapes being sent to him and have Clay realize the inner struggles of the perfect girlfriend that he thought he had (which would show that the people we think are best put together might actually be struggling on the inside) , and have Evan's history with Connor be explored and be about Connor and the Murphys coming together in their shared grief (in this version of the story, you can still have Evan struggle with a mental illness, but without having it being an excuse for his behavior).
These are just a few rough ideas that I have for changes to both stories. Any addition, removals, and changes are welcome. I admit that I could be more informed about issues regarding mental health, so if there are any problematic aspects or insensitive ideas in my recommendations, I apologize, but if you can think of any ways to improve either story, I would like to hear them.
I've got to disagree with you on 13 Reasons Why (the book, the show can go in the trash). It's the fact that Clay wasn't close to Hannah that makes it matter. They were kids that grew up alongside each other, knew the basics about one another, even shared some small moments. It's the fact that Hannah saw Clay as this idealized "could've been" and he saw her the same way. The entire story is about how suicide is a personal choice, a decision made in spite of the "what ifs". Its about how it effects all the lives the person touched, and how there's not anyone who could've fixed it for them.
The two of them weren't ever a real thing, there's no way Clay could've known, and there's, clearly, nothing he could've done, and yet Hannah still took him down with her.
You see, if the main character had been closer you'd subconsciously be thinking that they could've done something, that they should've known, but that's not how it works. You see, it had to be someone who wasn't close, or the point wouldn't be made, not as well anyways.
@@kenzij You're probably right. I admit that I made this comment without having read the book. Thank you for your insight.
This is really well spoken, and I’m sorry for your loss. No one should have to go through that. This movie/book actually really got me curious about mental health, and if you take away the main plot, the characters and songs tell a different story. But it’s true that the plot itself isn’t right on levels.
I'm late but I'm so glad I found this video. I had concerns about the musical as someone also affected by some of the issues "tackled" by the musical, but my ex best friend really loved it so I was thinking of maybe going to see it anyway. Thank you for explaining the ways in which this musical mishandles its topics/themes, it has reassured me of my original wariness and gut feeling that I should stay away from it.
This is why mental health shouldn’t be depicted in media. Instead, let those who have experienced it tell their story. Suicide does not belong in fiction
Subscribed as soon as the video ended. The conviction in your voice is beautiful. This is what a call for representation is supposed to sound like. You've spoken for people who struggle with mental health, but not in a way that seems like you're putting words in their mouths. You are the mouthpiece.
Thank you.
Thank you for listening. This was not an easy video to make but I think it's important to say. I hope that it was respectful because I really, really want media to do better by us.
Deeply moved by this video, sending love and light
Thank you so much for making this video, I agree with you completely. As someone who deals with mental health issues and has attempted to take my own life before this is refreshing to hear people talk about this. Mental health is not something to take lightly and be exposed for profit, and yet it often is in the media. DEH is a good example of this, and while it does present complex characters it completely misses the mark on how serious trauma and mental health are. Yet I see so many people praising DEH, and I suppose if it really helped you then good for you, but for the majority of people who deal with this sort of stuff it can be unhelpful and even dehumanizing. Thank you again for making this video, I hope it sheds some light on the impact of this musical/movie.
The conversation around mental health and suicide really needs to change. To me it feels like DEH is trying to address incredibly complex and painful topics in a feel-good, surface-level way. It's shallow at best and as you said can be dehumanizing.
Thanks for listening.
when i first saw/heard the musical i understood it as a satire against the stereotypes of mental illness, but the more i grow and look back on it- i think the musical is just bad. it just sucks at showing mental illness and it's not doing it on purpose.
I feel like Dear Evan Hansen was surprisingly close to being a good dark comedy, but the writers just didn't understand the story they were writing. Still a tasteless depiction of mental health either way, but still, it could have been something with the same basic story but just a completely different tone.
In a better written play You Will Be Found could have been an amazing villain moment. But the writers just genuinely think they are telling this inspirational story when it absolutely is not that. And it permeates every aspect of every scene, this belief that it is a greatly inspirational story.
The solo version of Requiem that Mallory Bechtel performs (you can find it on youtube) was really good and meaningful to me before I ever saw the actual show, and I still hold it kind of warmly. But it is so tainted by being associated with the actual show it is from.
I've seen a few posts talking about the Dear Evan Hansen movie, but never have I seen a video like yours that explains so much more about how media capitalises on mental illness that's never properly represented while still criticising about Evan's character.
While it is easy to empathise with people online who do (rightfully) talk about this movie angrily with a dash of humour, I'm glad to see a video like yours that takes this subject earnestly. This video definitely has given me a better understanding on how media treats these mental illness so thank you so much for sharing this. I'm also appreciative of the contextual information such as the creators' interviews and how award shows marketed Dear Evan Hansen. It definitely makes this whole fictional tale of a boy lying feel even more gratifyingly disturbing.
Something I would like to echo from what other people have said is something that makes this musical scary to think about: the songs.
With subjective tastes in mind, I'm in love with the songs. The musical has some of my favourite vocal performances. 'For Forever' is a beautiful display of Ben Platt's vocal abilities. As a song, I love to dissect bits and pieces of it and why I love it for the music. If you listen to the whole album alone, many songs appear almost completely disingenuous and sweet at face value. Again with 'For Forever', it appears as a song that explores a friendship between two guys. But in reality, it's a song that further cements Evan as a liar that, in the film from what I've heard, never got any repercussions. At least in the musical, 'Good For You' attempts to call out on Evan which, surprise, the movie removes this song that directly acknowledges Evan's morally ill actions (even if it's all what Evan thinks the others view him rather than what the characters think of him).
Edit: Added a few more words down below
I love your presentation, and again thank you so much for sharing this video. I hope more people will come across this.
I have yet to see your other video essays but I'm definitely going to be staying around to see more insightful commentary on films and media from you.
Thank you for listening. It's especially interesting to hear from people who do or did find something valuable in the musical. To be honest, I expected this video to be seen by the 200-ish subscribers who'd been patient enough to watch my videos before I posted this thing? UA-cam appears to be showing this video to both people who strongly dislike, absolutely love, and have mixed emotions about DEH.
I took a little bit of a break from participating in musical fandom after DEH did so well at the Tony's. I shared my objections once - without any of the personal background in this video - and the response to that bit of criticism was so overwhelmingly negative that I felt really discouraged from saying anything until recently. It's really encouraging now to read comments from people who do find something to love in DEH but still want to have a conversation about how to better represent mental health in media.
@@maevemonroe UA-cam's algorithms work in such unique ways hehe. But on the plus side, I'm glad that it has helped lots of more unknown creators get to have more attention! And I'm glad I got to see yours pop up.
I can definitely understand needing to take a break from the fandom given your opinion and personal experiences. Despite the huge amount of negative criticism you got when you shared your objections on the story before, I think it's inspiring to see you try to share your views in a more refined manner in the form of this particular video.
Time and a light push in the right direction work well in helping us improve in becoming our better self :)
Wow, this was extremely moving. Thank you for being so willing to open up to us as the public - you are incredibly brave. I was hoping to see this movie, as I am a young composer, performer, and musician. I was interested in the story I'd heard and music that had been shared with me, but now I will not support this movie or musical. Your argument was incredibly well presented, and you outlined your points clearly - thank you for opening our eyes.
I also want to add that I am so dearly sorry about the person you lost. I personally have not lost someone to suicide, but have been very close on multiple occasions. It's scary and unnerving. You have taken a brave step to shed a light on this sensitive topic.
As someone who has faced mental health, I know the Lord has been my friend through isolation and despair. Alongside this, finding counselling and seeking help is important. The media mustn't downplay any aspect to mental health, and should be highlighting the importance of finding specialised help.
Sorry for writing so much! I just want to let you know that you are being heard by us, and your video has definitely impacted me as an individual.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers. You are dearly loved by God, and you are very brave. Thank you and I hope you have a beautiful day 💛
This is the first video I watch from your channel and can I just say how talented you are? The editing, the script, everything is amazing. Keep it up!! I'm gonna binge watch the rest of your channel
I’m so appreciative of how beautifully you articulated this and that you created something to reach a larger audience than I have-it’s something I’ve mostly shared with people who have asked me and it can feel defeating when I understand how many people will see this show and its messaging and take it at face value. As a therapist, another thing I hate about this musical is how therapy and medication are portrayed-to me, it seems it was written by someone who has not experienced mental illness or therapy themselves.
I’d be very curious to hear your take on Next to Normal. It’s not perfect-as no piece of media ever is-but I personally think it gives a more realistic view of what it can be like to live with someone who is severely mentally ill and does a better job exploring the relationships without completely demonizing the character who IS mentally ill.
Much love to you-I can hear the emotion in your voice and this is so important. Thank you.
Thank you! It's amazing to read that a therapist appreciates this perspective. I hope that I was able to articulate my thoughts in a helpful way as someone who doesn't work in the mental health field but cares a lot about how these topics are portrayed.
I haven't seen Next to Normal but I've listened to all the songs on Spotify. I've wanted to see it live for a long time but until fairly recently I lived in a place where it was difficult to see live theater regularly. My perspective, from what I know so far, is that it's both more thorough and more honest.
From what I understand the main character lives with bipolar disorder. I'm only familiar with BPD through friends' experiences, but "I Miss The Mountains" is a feeling that a friend described to me once. As someone who has depression but not BPD, I still sort of understand that feeling. Since my depression is tangled up with old feelings of grief I feel sometimes as though the days when I don't feel it are dishonest. "Everything is perfect, nothing's real" -- letting go of that guilt is something I have had to work on for years. Still working on it, to be honest.
Anyway, all of that to say that from what I know Next to Normal is a lot closer to the truth I think. It feels as though the writers trusted their audience to wrestle with complicated ideas.
@@maevemonroe you highlighted one of my favorite lines from that song and it definitely echoes what some of my friends have said about their bipolar disorder and how it’s not exactly uncommon to stop taking meds for the sake of being able to feel. Some other lines I think of: “give me pain if that’s what’s real, it’s the price we pay to feel,” “the price of love is loss, but still we pay… we love anyway,” “you don’t have to be happy at all to be happy you’re alive,” “maybe we can’t be okay, but maybe we’re tough and we’ll try anyway. We’ll live with what’s real, let go of what’s past.” And “You Don’t Know” is so honest.
I think Kitt and Yorkey do a pretty amazing job wrestling with complex feelings. They also wrote the show If/Then, and I once wrote a paper on how grief is portrayed in the show, focusing on two songs: “You Learn to Live Without” and “I Hate You.”
Wishing you lots of love and healing and comfort in knowing there are so many who understand, care, and empathize, as well as knowing you’ve created something so helpful and important for people to hear.
I’ve never seen the movie or the musical but I know the plot and I’ve heard the music. It’s one of those pieces of media that I struggle with because I’m not sure what message they were actually making and every fan seems to have a different interpretation. For me the song “Requiem” is highly relatable but the way it’s brushed over is so frustrating. Zoe honestly gets no relief other than lies and then eventually learning they are lies. That sounds deeply traumatic and offensive to suggest it’s ok in any way. Media is truly afraid of embracing true sorrow and actually being relatable. Therefore I find most major media should be avoided when looking for genuine support. Hope of course is important but reality is that hope is literally just that. People needs solutions and treatment. This story fails to me because it never suggests radical change in how we address mental illness. Characters arcs are entirely non existent because nearly every character starts and ends at the same place. There isn’t any change other than time and the Kickstarter doesn’t seem to do anything except give more vague “in name only” comfort. It seems the family only accepts because they literally have nothing to hold onto except lies that they now have agreed to keep perpetuating to protect Evan(in the musical not the movie). Both of those endings really suck. In my experience telling people with depression “it’s ok things will get better” comes off as extremely insensitive and often they have become offended because it does nothing to impact their inner grief. It’s a phrase that brushes aside their pain in favor of temporary comfort. We should all learn to be able to sit in discomfort in order to truly empathize with them and not belittle their pain.Ultimately the only solution is true change to our systems that actively cause higher rates of depression but capitalist media will never have that conversation.
Some of the moments in Requiem felt honest to me as well. I remember feeling expected to “play the grieving girl” - even with a close, happy relationship there can be some anger in grief. And there is very much a sense that we’re not allowed to discuss that at all. But that honesty gets buried, at least for me as a viewer/critic.
As to the later part of your comment and “it’s ok things will get better.” YES. That has been my experience has well - the phrase "things will get better" just brushes aside the pain for temporary comfort. It's a signal to shift the conversation rather than sit with that discomfort.
It especially sucks when a PRODUCT sold to us does that. Something marketed as helpful exits the conversation- doing something very similar to what friends and family can sometimes do. The thought you’ve written here says a lot of things I wish I’d been able to articulate. I am sure that I’ll make more videos on media and mental health. Would it be okay to quote this comment at some point? (It’s perfectly fine if not! I just thought I’d ask because it says exactly a feeling I’d had, only better than I’ve been able to put into words.)
@@maevemonroe wow I'm glad my words actually made sense, haha. Sure you can quote this, I'd love to see more video essays on these topics. Goodluck!
I legitimately don't understand why this musical is so popular. I lost two family members last year to suicide. In a way, I connect a lot with Zoey. I had such mixed emotions because someone who abused other family members was dealing with, and ultimately succumbed, to the same mental health struggles I have. There's so much character exploration, so many messages --REAL messages about how there's no one "right" way to grieve, it's okay to be mad or lost or even resentful at times, and showing a character grow through learning coping and finding genuine community... but that's barely touched on in favor of rOmAnCe! She is Love Interest (TM)! Now let's go back to the kid who doesn't need meds anymore because *popularity* solved his disorders!
And it REALLY glorifies it, too... No one cared about Connor until he was gone. Suddenly, his death sparks a conversation and makes everyone care about the kid no one liked. Is that... Is that not the EXACT type of messaging that may negatively encourage someone who feels alone to take that final step? And in a movie aimed at TEENS! It seriously feels dangerous!!
Easy.
Have a snappy, irritating hashtag and annoyingly sappy, worthless but catchy songs about how much Evan's so Build-A-Bear Workshop levels of angry and you've got a musical, baby!
This video was more impactful than Dear Evan Hansen in it's entirety.
I knew the story always rubbed me the wrong way. Thank you for sharing
everyone needs to hear this one hope your channel continues to grow
Thank you! I have no idea how youtube works, I try to make the kind of video I love to watch. maybe one day people will find it! comments like yours are encouraging to read, so thanks again
The only point I really agree with in this video is that "You Will Be Found" is indeed one of those simplistic, empty platitude songs that don't actually help anyone who is struggling. Action is better than inspirational words, but sadly, action doesn't let corporate heads feel good. But being sad or anxious isn't an "illness". It's a mentality that can be broken.
I'm glad I found this video. Firstly, I'm a strong proponent of the idea that reading a movie's storyline on the page or getting the rundown from a reviewer is not the same thing as seeing how it's executed onscreen, and therefore not a replacement for seeing the project oneself. I'm also a believer in the idea that a piece of media need not be everything to everyone, and that just because it brushes up against one topic in the pursuit of another does not mean it's intended to (or should) be expected to address the fullness of the topic it brushed against. I still feel that way.
However, I also lost someone I loved to suicide, close to this time last year. And I've been able to recognize during my unresolved grief that I still don't quite know what things will set me off in the media I've watched in that time. But I do know that the more a piece of entertainment positions itself as being *about* something profound, the more my brain latches onto it in expectation of a story that proves its merits on that profundity. (And I adore musicals, I try to watch every onscreen adaptation with friends, but I'm already pretty eh on Pasek and Paul--I've found their previous lyrical work to be the equivalent of broad, shallow platitudes strung together, and the prospect of sitting through something like that for something I'm still so raw about set me on edge.)
I was wrestling with whether it was fair to preemptively commit to opt out of seeing this one, given that I already understood that it was probably made for the myriad people who connect with other things about it (the titular character whose pathos it's apparently entirely centered around), and that I do think it's fine for it to be for them. A few fans I asked had even assured me that this is a great musical for its portrayal of survivors (if not the victims) of suicide. But your video underlined the very specific aspects of its tone, its central conceit and the ways it doesn't back it up, that I was on guard about; I realized I was ok with viewing material featuring suicide, but couldn't abide by material that claimed to have something profound and personal to say about it and failed. So, thank you for your work, and for examining this film in a way that allowed me to more safely process the ways in which my movie brain was conflicting with some fairly new feelings.
I’d love to see your take on “Bojack Horseman.” It’s a sitcom that dives deep into the difficulties of mental illness, making it sympathetic without glamorizing or excusing abuse.
I love that show. I love it so much that I'm sure I'm going to one day make one of these video essays about it. It's been an idea kicking around for a while, because I'd want to say something that hasn't been said already. But someday, it must happen!
@@maevemonroe
That sounds awesome!
Take your time.
That show is too deep to rush an analysis on.