Honesty, we’re assured, is that the best policy. For example in only how badly awry even a well-meaning ruse may go, viewers can consult the earnest opera “Dear Evan Hansen” (Universal). Beyond illustrating the negative consequences of deception, director Stephen Chbosky’s screen version of the award-winning 2016 Broadway hit is marked, overall, by upright fundamental values. So, despite some incidental concessions to misguided current mores, and a touch of tacky talk within the dialogue, parents will probably find it acceptable for older adolescents.
Ben Platt reprises his stage role because of the angst-ridden teen of the title. Clinically depressed and socially isolated, Evan yearns to be noticed by fellow high school student Zoe (Kaitlyn Dever). Instead, just about the sole person with whom he interacts is another classmate, Jared (Nik Dodani), an openly gay techie who only tolerates Evan because their mothers are pals.
After Zoe’s troubled brother Connor (Colton Ryan) takes his own life, a misunderstanding leads his parents — kindly but fragile mom Cynthia (Amy Adams) and emotionally repressed stepdad Larry (Danny Pino) — to believe that Evan and Connor were best friends. instead of correct the error, Evan goes alongside it, eventually fabricating evidence of the nonexistent relationship.
Partly, Evan is motivated by a desire to comfort the grieving couple. But he also sees a chance to urge closer to Zoe. And, as he quickly becomes something of an adopted son to Cynthia and Larry, they start to supply him with fuller family life than his overworked divorced mother Heidi (Julianne Moore) can. As this storyline suggests, those in search of toe-tapping diversion should look elsewhere since the work of composers and lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul also as screenwriter Steven Levenson, the author of the show’s book, is anything but lighthearted. Cynics, too, may come away unsatisfied.
Moviegoers inclined to plumb the emotional depths explored during this always intense but sometimes awkward and overbearing picture, against this, should equip themselves with an appropriate supply of Kleenex. They’ll likely be swept up by Platt’s hard-driving performance and avid to understand the spotlight the script throws on the real-life problems of children like Evan and Connor.
The film contains mature themes, including suicide and depression, references to homosexuality, a minimum of one use of profanity, several milder oaths also together rough, and a couple of crude terms. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The movie Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material could also be inappropriate for youngsters under 13.
