Giselle Bonilla’s debut feature, The Musical, premiered at Sundance this year and presents a darkly comedic look at a middle school drama teacher’s descent into vengeful chaos. The film, described as having an “exuberant, hand-made quality,” centers on Doug Leibowitz (Will Brill) and his increasingly erratic attempts to sabotage the career of a school principal.
A Playwright’s Revenge
Doug Leibowitz, an aspiring playwright who has yet to find success, is reeling from a breakup with Abigail Morris (Gillian Jacobs), a fellow teacher at Cedarhurst Middle School. When Abigail begins dating Principal Brady (Rob Lowe), Doug decides to retaliate by abandoning the planned production of West Side Story in favor of a musical he writes himself – a provocative and unconventional piece centered around the events of September 11th.
Fueling the Fire
As Doug rehearses with his students, he actively seeks to corrupt their minds with his grievances, stating, “Sometimes you win, and sometimes you watch your enemies steal what could have been yours.” He believes that a public failure of the school play will jeopardize Principal Brady’s chances of securing a “blue ribbon” designation for Cedarhurst Middle School.
A Portrait of Pettiness
Will Brill delivers a performance described as a “sad-eyed snarl,” portraying Doug as a man consumed by his own perceived slights. The film highlights the complex interplay between Doug’s superiority complex and his deep-seated insecurities, suggesting that the kindness of others only serves to amplify his rage. Despite the questionable nature of his actions, the narrative invites a degree of empathy for Doug’s plight.
Doug’s rants, filled with cynicism, reveal a stunted emotional maturity. He tells his students, “At the end of the day, your dreams don’t matter…the best that you can hope for will be that someone will remember you. That’s the machine.”
A Controversial Production
The musical itself is described as “totally nuts,” a conspiracist take on the events of September 11th featuring unconventional and provocative elements. Scenes include cardboard airplanes crashing into the Twin Towers, Osama Bin Laden moonwalking, and Rudy Giuliani breakdancing on a tank. Despite its poor taste, the production is presented as a moving spectacle, with the students unwittingly re-enacting a previous generation’s trauma.
A Surprising Performance
The film also highlights a renewed appreciation for Rob Lowe’s acting abilities. He portrays Principal Brady as a seemingly unremarkable figure, a “boiled cabbage of a person,” who is nevertheless presented as a relatable individual simply trying to do his job, making him a fitting target for Doug’s animosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Musical about?
The Musical is a film about Doug Leibowitz, a middle school drama teacher who seeks revenge on his former girlfriend and her new partner by staging a controversial and unconventional musical about the events of September 11th.
Where did the film premiere?
The film premiered at Sundance this year.
Who stars in The Musical?
The film stars Will Brill as Doug Leibowitz, Gillian Jacobs as Abigail Morris, and Rob Lowe as Principal Brady.
Given the film’s provocative subject matter and unconventional approach, will The Musical find a broad audience, or will it remain a niche offering for those seeking challenging and darkly comedic cinema?
