Watch Meredith Willson's: The Music Man

Meredith Willson's: The Music Man is a movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical written by Meredith Willson. Set in the early 1900s, the story follows the charismatic con artist Harold Hill (Matthew Broderick) as he attempts to swindle the small town of River City, Iowa by convincing them to start a boys' band. Hill's plan is simple: he will sell the townspeople instruments and uniforms for the band, and then disappear with the money before any music can be played. He is successful in winning over the town, but he meets resistance from the town librarian, Marian Paroo (Kristin Chenoweth), who is skeptical of his intentions.

As Hill works to win over the townspeople and convince Marian of his good intentions, he begins to fall for her. Marian, however, is reluctant to give in to her feelings for Hill, given his shady past.

The movie also explores the lives of some of the other townspeople, including Mayor Shinn (Victor Garber), his wife Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn (Debra Monk), and their daughter Zaneeta (Cameron Adams). The Mayor is initially skeptical of Hill's pitch, but eventually comes to support the boys' band. Eulalie, on the other hand, is more interested in the latest fashions and gossip than in the band.

Another subplot involves the young couple Tommy Djilas (Cameron Monaghan) and Zaneeta Shinn, who are forbidden to date by their respective parents due to a feud between the Shinn and Djilas families. The two are determined to be together, however, and use the boys' band rehearsals as a cover for their secret meetings.

Throughout the movie, the characters break out into musical numbers, including the catchy "Seventy-six Trombones," the sweet "Till There Was You," and the humorous "Shipoopi." The musical numbers are vibrant and energetic, with excellent choreography and impressive singing from the cast.

One highlight of the movie is the performances by the leads. Matthew Broderick is charming and charismatic as Harold Hill, bringing a sense of playfulness and mischief to the role. Kristin Chenoweth is a standout as Marian Paroo, with her powerful voice and poised demeanor. Victor Garber is also entertaining as the blustering Mayor Shinn, while Debra Monk steals scenes as the self-absorbed Eulalie.

The movie captures the spirit of the original Broadway production while also offering its own touches. There are several scenes that take place in a magical, colorful world that seem out of place at first, but ultimately make sense in the context of the story.

Overall, Meredith Willson's: The Music Man is a delightful musical full of memorable songs and charming performances. It will appeal to fans of the original musical as well as those who are discovering the story for the first time.

Meredith Willson's: The Music Man is a 2003 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes.