Dear Evan Hansen

It was only a matter of time before Broadway phenomenon Dear Evan Hansen reached the big screen. The musical, which premiered on the stage in 2015, tells of a teenage boy suffering from anxiety and depression, whose life is unexpectedly turned upside down. The film is directed by Stephen Chbosky and sees award-winning actor Ben Platt reprise his stage role as the titular character.

Evan Hansen’s crippling anxiety prevents him from maintaining a positive outlook and he struggles to make friends. His therapist asks him to write a letter to himself daily, in which he motivates himself and envisions a happy day ahead. The tragic passing of a student in his school changes everything, as one of his motivational letters is mislaid and leads everyone to believe that he was a close friend of the departed boy. Terrified by being in this position but even more so by disappointing people, he clumsily adds fuel to the misunderstanding and lies his way to popularity and acceptance. 

The movie will likely divide audiences. On one hand it is a heartwarming story that describes the teenage experience and all its challenges in a very effective way. On the other hand, its protagonist acts immorally, and many may not be able to look past his deception, even if it is sugarcoated with good intentions. Liking the main character, however, is not a prerequisite to appreciating the overall message. Perhaps musical protagonists are implicitly expected to set an example, but Evan’s unethical choices add a layer of realism as he is shown to be a far-from-perfect opportunist when given the chance, and not a saintly hero with an impeccable moral compass. 

The story does revolve to a large extent around the hypocrisy that pervades many aspects of society, particularly in regards to mourning and the way memories are distorted by those left behind in order to fit a narrative that lessens their guilt. The majority seek to canonise the departed, regardless of how they conducted themselves in life, and even if there was no real connection that tied them to that person.

Dear Evan Hansen was made for the theatre and maybe that is still its ideal home. The sentimental ballads simply work better on stage, where the audience is more predisposed to hearing them performed live. Notwithstanding, the transition to cinema works rather well and the film keeps the audience captivated. Although it’s too long and overly melodramatic at times, the story poses many interesting questions about human behaviour and raises awareness of mental health issues in an approachable manner.

Mersa Auda

Dear Evan Hansen is released nationwide on 22^nd October 2021.

Watch the trailer for Dear Evan Hansen here: