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I thoroughly enjoyed this due to my cursory knowledge of Broadway. It brings up a lot of interesting topics in a really vivid way. It shows why the stars are the stars, but at the same time casts a very wary glance of how commercialized Broadway has gotten. With high tickets prices and big-name remakes of popular movies, it often feels like the rich get richer and no one knows any better or any deeper. If they had added 20-30 minutes to the film and explained a few things more in depth, then there might be more 'something for everyone'. But it still covers a lot of territory in its 122 minutes, still makes me want to see a lot of these plays, a lot of them for the first time. I'll never argue with seeing Hugh Jackman or learning more about Andrew Lloyd Weber or August Wilson. This flick definitely captures the magic of Broadway.

Glad to see the theater packed for this one. The way it was shot feels like a documentary, but the raw subject matter and unpolished acting were in-your-face in the best ways. There's no time to judge these fast-moving, trans-gendered prostitutes, and why would you? Everything's f***ed up. Family people are not what they seem, everyone's motivations are unique, people are desperate for acceptance, affection and enough money to make it to the next day. They play the hands they're dealt, like all of us, spinning around and around, trying to get answers and making stupid mistakes along the way. In the end, it's still a friendship movie, not a package with a shiny, redeeming bow. Sick of safe, sanitized, statistical NPR? Here's your movie.

This represents the first great movie I've seen in awhile. We think it's the old Hollywood story about families sticking together. Instead a mother tries to honor her teenage daughter's idealism about the world - an idealism that's desperately needed but nearly impossible to achieve. This mixed in with a home front situation and seems to be beyond ideal. The acting is frequently subtle, sometimes powerful, but they certainly cast the right amount of people (i.e. not too many) to solidify a strong message. I was impressed at how directly the dialogue took on world politics and non-profit organizations. Beautiful camera work - the theme - and a surprise ending make this a must-see.