Dear Evan Hansen was initially a Broadway show in New York, created by Steven Levenson in 2016. It has grown very popular over the years, with many still remembering the show. I have never watched the Broadway version since I was not so interested in musicals at the time. Ben Platt stopped performing in 2017, which didn’t help. It is also expensive. However, I loved the songs in middle school, so learning about this movie got me very excited.

The story is about Evan Hansen, an anxious, isolated high-school student who wants to find friends while navigating the cruelty of social media. He ends up on a journey of self-discovery when a letter he wrote for a writing exercise falls into the hands of a grieving couple after their son, Connor Murphy, takes his own life. Connor also wrote his name on Evan’s cast, leading his parents to believe their son and Evan were friends. It is a fascinating premise since one lie turns into a web of lies, all to help a family mourn their loss. 

One glaring problem I had with the movie is Evan Hansen’s actor Ben Platt. Platt played the first Evan Hansen on Broadway, so of course, he would be asked to return for the movie. However, Platt stands out heavily and not in a good way. Evan is supposed to be a teenager, and Platt looks far from one. Whenever he acts, it is always awkward since it is hard to imagine him as a teenager, especially when surrounded by people who can pull off looking 16 or 17. There were also accusations against him because his father, Marc Platt, is a co-producer for the movie and accused him of nepotism for choosing his son to reprise his role. I understand that Ben Platt is the original Evan Hansen, but it is not like there aren’t other actors who are much younger and talented than him who can pull off Evan. Andrew Barth Feldman would have been a good choice since he is a talented singer and previously played Evan on Broadway. He is also younger than Platt, and therefore, a more authentic Evan.

Nik Dodani, who plays Jared Kalwani, sounds as if he has no emotion. His character is also easily forgettable, only appearing for a little bit at the beginning. Jared becomes more of a background character, even though he plays a significant role in Evan’s life. They should have given him more screen time and more of an influence because he just seemed dull. Other actors chosen for this movie played their roles well since they brought their characters to life. Especially Amy Adams, who plays Cynthia Murphy, shows how desperate she is after losing her son, making the events more impactful.

The most important part other than the plot is the songs. The beginning song, “Waving Through a Window,” was disappointing since Platt’s performance had no passion. It seemed a bit flat and not as emotional as the Broadway version he sang. There were also cuts between the songs, which bothered me since I wanted to hear the music and not random dialogue. “For Forever” also does this, but at least when there is dialogue, it plays a part in the song. Other than that one song, the music is phenomenal. “Requiem” is my favorite adapted scene since it is visually gorgeous and fits the song’s tone. I loved the scene so much I began tearing up; that’s how terrific it is. 

I also love how they created two new songs that were not a part of the Broadway show named “Anonymous” and “A Little Closer.” Anonymous is lovely; the song fits well within the story, forming Alana into a wider, dynamic character. “A Little Closer” became my favorite song from the movie. Both the music and the scene accompanying it are so touching. It also made me tear up. I wished they could have kept “Good for You” since it provides more conflict for the story’s climax. The movie slightly referenced it, but you would not tell unless you had heard the song before.

Even though many critics disliked this movie, it is worth watching since it is still well made and emotional. Ben Platt, essential to the film, ruins the movie significantly for not fitting in with the cast. He has excellent singing moments, but it is not enough to save the movie. If there were another actor who played this role, it would have been way better. As long as you ignore Platt’s age, this movie is enjoyable and has its moments to shine. Overall, I recommend watching this movie since it is exciting and fun to watch. Even if the film is not to your taste, the music is worth a listen. I would give this a 6/10.