The Wasteland Reviewer

Merrily We Roll Along (2025) Written Review

What Broadway shows would you love to see get the movie theater treatment? This has been a growing trend since Hamilton blew up on Disney+ during the Pandemic. Slowly but surely, more famous stage performances are being captured on film and brought nationwide. Sure, you don’t get the feeling of that raw performance and energy in the theater. What you do get is broader, more accessible access to great shows that are much cheaper for all to see. One of the true greats of the musical is Stephen Sondheim whose shows include Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd. One of his beloved shows, Merrily We Roll Along recently had a big return to the stage with an all-star cast of Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez. And now…you can see it come to life on the silver screen! 

How does director Maria Friedman translate this show to the movie screen? One important aspect of the show that is not lost is the great energy that makes this 145-minute show feel like it flies by. Quality editing makes sure this film feels nice and crisp as well when it comes to piecing all the different camera angles and shots together. There are even some sharp edits that accentuate the performance. One of the advantages of looking at this through a camera lens is the intimacy that can be achieved. When watching the show, you must make sure you pick up on multiple performances at once, but they do an amazing job of editing this film together to maximize the emotional impact of the evolving relationship between these three friends. There are a few moments (especially during some of the more emotional musical numbers) where that camera captures so much of the facial expression of the actors that makes the emotions of the scene even more impactful. Friedman did an excellent job (with her crew) to bring a new dimension to the experience that enhanced the story and emotions. 

Does Merrily We Roll Along offer up a dynamic and engaging story? This is a compelling exploration of a trio of friends whose lives together are shattered when this film opens. But the story structure tells the story in reverse that allows the audience to see the layers peeled back. The conflicts in the early scenes of the show have real weight and they are only deepened through the storytelling. The audience begins to see where the cracks began, how the characters evolved, and those key moments that sent them on this path. This was a bold strategy that could easily feel like a gimmick, but this delivers a compelling exploration of life and friendship. The three main characters go on interesting journeys that change them from wide-eyed dreamers to individuals who have been challenged and morphed by the effects of life. Frank (Groff) starts as a wandering-eyed star whose ego and money has killed the wide-eyed artist of his youth. Charley (Radcliffe) is an idealist whose rigidness puts his friends and collaborations in peril. Mary (Mendez) is an alcoholic cynic whose love for her friend lacked reciprocation, muddying her hopeful world view in her youth. There are three equally compelling and interesting characters who draw you in and keep you connected to the story. Some of the later elements feel less dramatic and compelling (when things were more hopeful) but they are still important to make the rest of the story so poignant. 

How does this cast bring this iconic material to life? Groff is a revelation in this film. Her charisma and presence fill up the stage and screen. When he shows emotion, it feels so raw and poignant. He understands how to connect deeply to his character and project it for the audience to feel as well. His singing is also excellent as he is one of the most talented performers working today. Radcliffe brings so much unique energy and a dynamic presence to the character of Charley. He is saddled with some of the most complex songs from a singing and performance standpoint and truly knocks it out of the pack. His first sequence in the film (in particular) is an absolute delight to witness that also hits on such a rich emotional level too. Mendez is the glue that holds this trio together with her strong character work and nuance that she brings to Mary. We feel so deeply about this character and that keeps the audience engaged. There are some strong supporting turns as well with Krystal Joy Brown giving the biggest performance in the film as Gussie. This character needed gravitas, and she brought buckets full. Katie Rose Clarke becomes a bigger part of the film as it goes on and her performance brings layers to Beth, Frank’s ex-wife. Reg Rogers is another stand out as a more fun and interesting supporting character who has a connection on both the personal and business side of our protagonists. But overall, the cast was excellent as each minor performance feels on point and nails the vibe that Friedman wants to capture. 

Is Merrily We Roll Along worth your time at the movies? That is a resounding YES. This is an electric show that comes to life with added dimensions thanks to the direction of Friedman. There are dozens of memorable and engaging songs that make this a consistent hit from a musical standpoint. You will be hearing those wonderfully composed and written songs for weeks to come. This trio though…they breathe so much life and vigor into this show that this ensemble is a must see (on stage and on screen).