Academy Awards: When New Songs Happen to Established Musicals

“Learn to Be Lonely” from the film adaptation of The Phantom Of The Opera, 2004

The special circumstance here is that this musical is based on a book written in 1911 that already had two movies made about it (in 1925 and 1943). But, for clarification, we’re talking about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, which is based on the book that inspired, well, Andrew Lloyd Webber to write the screenplay with Joel Schumacher for the film version which is based on Webber’s own play that is based on the Gaston Leroux book. Confused? Us, too. Have some wine.

Feel how you may about Joel Schumacher as a film director, his silver screen adaption of the beloved beauty and the beast love saga was mostly adored by moviegoers, and when you’re in business to make money, critics be damned. Whether you think of this song as sad or ultimately uplifting, it does work, because — and here’s the caveat — it doesn’t distract from the film. Why? Because the song only runs during the closing credits. You may have missed it, the first time around, but it’s worth sitting through the closing credits to hear it since you’re comfy on your couch at home anyway — and it’s also the only time you get to hear Minnie Driver sing as Carlotta.

Should The Song Have Been Included: Sure.

2004 Best Original Song Oscar Winner: “Al otro lado del río” from The Motorcycle Diaries; Music and Lyrics: Jorge Drexler