For Peter, learning to whistle means being able to call his dog, Willie, and being a bit closer to those two magic words: grown-up.
In order to learn why an arguably outdated fanfic trope was resurfacing in the contact zone of popular culture, I dove into a vibrant trough of character development.
The gentle, emotional nuances of Evan’s coming-of-age story would have been so beneficial to have incorporated into the life of a POC character. Showing a Black, Asian or Latino young man that is afforded the space to be vulnerable, flawed and sensitive while driving a compelling and widely-loved narrative would have been a game changer.
In the film adaptation, director Jon M. Chu turns each musical number into a massive show stopper, with grand set pieces and a wealth of diverse dancers. Yet, in this attempt to show reverence for the people of the Washington Heights barrio, Chu, or maybe more specifically those in charge of casting, left out a crucial part of the community, Afro-Latinos.
I hadn’t heard of it either until recently—and yet, it’s one of the highest grossing movies of all time.
As a musical fan, I enjoyed the film and encourage anyone who likes dark humour and a bit of blood to give it a watch.
The Magician's Elephant has a strong multicultural cast and a heartwarming story about bringing two long-lost siblings back together
