TelegraphHerald.com • Telegraph Herald • Friday, July 10, 2020 1C

Got a tip? Please contact us Megan Gloss, Features Editor TODAY’S [email protected] current 563-588-5638 or 800-553-4801 TIDBITS movie review From stage Mount Rushmore: to screen, ‘Hamilton’ captivates

BY AUSTIN ELLIS For the Telegraph Herald

The critically acclaimed Broadway musical hit “Hamilton” arrived on Disney+ via a stage recording from 2016. “Hamilton” is a play in two parts about the life and death of Alexander Hamilton. It focuses on how he became an instrumental part of the construction of the United States of America. The film stars Lin-Manuel Miran- da, Leslie Odom Jr., Daveed Diggs, Reneé Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff and Christopher Jackson. The music and lyrics are written Public Domain by Miranda. The film is directed by Thomas Kail. The filmed version is surely as good as a front row seat — and perhaps better. Whether one is an avid fan or a newcomer, this is an excellent way to experience the story. A mountain of paradoxes The only change made for the filmed version is the removal of two BY GARY OLSEN of Abraham Lincoln, carved from a solid block of awareness helped them see things not necessarily F-words to avoid an R rating. For the Telegraph Herald white marble, first displayed in Theodore Roos- as they were but as they could become if they I haven’t been fortunate enough evelt’s White House. acted decisively. to see the play in person, so I went in he U.S. presidents enshrined on Not much was made of Borglum’s white In 1927, Borglum and his team of jackham- with an open mind. After watching it, South Dakota’s famed Mount supremacy beliefs in the 1920s and 1930s. In fact, mer-wielding carvers would begin chiseling away I can confidently assert that the show TRushmore all have one thing they carefully were concealed in news coverage at that South Dakota mountain on land sacred to is definitely worth the hype. in common, and it’s not necessarily and public relations materials about the artist and the indigenous Americans who lived there, a proj- The performances are excellent the obvious, “they were great leaders.” the Rushmore project. ect that would last the next 14 years. In 1941, as the across the board. From the core play- Each was unique in his contributions The choices of which presidents to honor on sculpture neared completion, Borglum died at 74. ers to the background extras, there’s that advanced our nation. Rushmore likely were made collaboratively since Borglum’s son, Lincoln, would take over, no sign of any weak links. Their influence on the events of their time was the federal government was involved. Rushmore putting the finishing touches on his father’s vision, The ensemble is outstanding. so profound that without them at their respective struggled with finances during the depths of the though it was scaled back from the original design Miranda is committed in the role of helms, our nation and culture as a free society Great Depression, but work continued as it was that featured more of the president’s torsos. Hamilton. Odom is excellent in the would, in all likelihood, be different. employing laborers, which made it an ideal “gov- Instead, there became a more natural aesthetic antagonistic role of Aaron Burr. The Gutzon Borglum was commissioned to create ernment works project.” respecting the surrounding topography. dynamic between each member of the monument, and construction began in 1927. Borglum and the project planners couldn’t The incomplete sculpture became more ethe- the cast is well-realized on-screen. According to historical records, his vision was to have chosen better presidents. Each embodied real in appearance. The faces, depending on the Perhaps the standout is Diggs as celebrate America’s first 150 years and to “com- the character, integrity, strength and the willing- light and atmosphere of the mountain, appear not Thomas Jefferson. His infectious memorate the founding, growth, preservation ness to rise above politics to do the best thing, the as gods but entirely human. energy and singing talent make him and development to the United States of America.” right thing for America. Making politically expedi- Your impression of the scale of it depends one of the best parts of the show. Borglum was a noted artist and sculptor of ent decisions based on poll numbers as politicians on the light and your vantage point (since most The direction and editing of the works with heroic proportions; however, he could do today was not a factor. These were presidents visitors are only allowed so close to it). But once musical are wonderful. The uses of have been a potentially controversial choice for who seized upon opportunity to do great things you see it, especially for the first time, you realize wide angles and closeups are used Mount Rushmore. for the good of us all. that you have come to gaze upon perhaps one of effectively. There are some shots His projects included the design and model for Among the many contributions these presi- the greatest objects of art in the world and subjects from the ceiling looking down on- the Confederate monument at Stone Mountain, dents are noted for, each saved us from profound utterly deserving of its creation. stage that look awesome. These are Ga., largely financed by members of the Klu Klux threats to our democracy — not foreign, but the perks of a filmed performance. Klan, of which Borglum was a member. domestic. Each had a towering intellect that made Olsen is a Dubuque artist and history enthu- There’s never a moment when He also was known for the highly praised bust them aware of their strategic place in history. That siast. you’re not glued to the action. Fur- thermore, I have to praise how well the actors performed with the multi- tude of cameras on and off stage. Highlights about the presidents The music is the heart and soul of “Hamilton,” and it’s the best part of George Washington not only Thomas Jefferson was Theodore Roosevelt was a Abraham Lincoln’s act of the experience. There are countless saved us from British dominion perhaps the most complex, con- modern president in every sense. nation saving was, of course, forged songs that become ear-worms as you and colonial servitude, but it was tradictory and visionary leader He was a larger-than-life personal- in the crucible of the American Civil watch. There’s a great mix of genres his selfless act as president to not that served as president. He was ity and a media hero for the times. War, in which 620,000 lost their lives. across the spectrum. become a king. Washington did not the author of our Declaration of Roosevelt was the first president Lincoln might not have fully From classic ballads to hip- want to rule as an ad-hoc monarch Independence. Jefferson saved to understand what we now call imagined what America would hop influences, the soundtrack is of what would have become, at best, our nation from becoming a place the “optics” of a situation and how become, but he knew emphatically magnificent. As soon as you’re done a constitutional monarchy. where the origin of your birth and they could be leveraged to one’s that a house divided about the issue watching, I guarantee you’ll want Besides his role in the victo- economic circumstances would advantage. of slavery could not stand. to download the soundtrack. These ry over the British in America’s no longer have bearing on your Roosevelt was perhaps the first As the war was coming to a close sequences are wonderfully shot and Revolution, this was perhaps success in life. president to recognize the growing and victory and unification were as- amazing on the TV screen. his greatest act. There was a fair Though several of our found- significance of American labor sured, Lincoln’s vision for our nation As a way to mimic a real theatrical amount of support for some kind ing fathers and a number of our on the political stage. He became was affirmed in his post-war plans, experience, the film even has an in- of royal designation from such presidents held slaves, when involved in and was credited for but he didn’t live long enough to see termission, albeit only a minute long. learned and worldly Americans Jefferson became the nation’s settling the Great Coal Strike in 1902. them completed. Before the war As for the only nitpick, it came as John Adams. His belief was, as third president, he outlawed the Roosevelt was a progressive when ended, Lincoln already had put into down to Miranda’s singing ability. I a president, Washington would slave trade. Though paradoxical- the nation was making enormous motion one of the most ambitious believe that his singing didn’t quite be looked upon by the kings and ly, Jefferson held slaves until his progress as an industrial nation but projects of his presidency and our pack the punch of his co-stars. Diggs monarchs of the world as without death, probably out of a profound also establishing itself as a nation of nation. He envisioned the Transcon- and company hit notes more consis- strength or wealth and not to be sense of personal responsibility innovators, inventors and entrepre- tinental Railroad. tently. Solely in the singing depart- taken seriously. for their welfare. neurs. However, it was the specter of Such a monumental project ment, his co-stars outshine him. Ours was not just a new nation Jefferson also saved us from be- a nation controlled by an oligarchy would unite our nation across the Despite that setback, “Hamilton” but a revolutionary idea. Wash- ing a nation confined by our west- of wealthy tycoons that propelled great wilderness of the West, con- is a fantastic play and film. As a first- ington wouldn’t be a king with ern border, the Mississippi River. His Roosevelt’s vision for America. necting both coasts. Its construction time viewer, I was captivated by the all the pomp and ceremony that quest to claim and settle the west Perhaps his greatest living legacy would employ veterans of the war performances, music and set design. came with a throne. There would following the Louisiana Purchase, was saving our wealth of unique and and newly arriving immigrants that For those who have never checked be no throne, and the President inspired Jefferson to deploy Lewis picturesque lands that give America would help settle the west. It was out the play, now’s your best chance of the United States would draw and Clark to explore and assess the such inspiring character. By creating perhaps Lincoln’s greatest legacy. — from the comfort of your home. his strength from the people who territory for settlement. America’s National Parks and “Hamilton” is a must-see. I give it elected him. These citizens would And yet, another paradox of National Monuments of historically 4.5 stars out of 5. “Hamilton” is rated give their loyalty not to him but Jefferson was revealed. Western important landmarks, he guaran- more online PG-13 and runs for 2 hours and 40 to the nation and, when needed, settlement was disastrous for teed his legacy of preserving our Learn more details about minutes. It’s streaming on Disney+. would lay down their lives to pro- indigenous people already living natural wonders and historic places the 4 presidents at tect the idea that is America. there. for generations to come. TelegraphHerald.com Ellis is a freelance writer.

MORE NEWS BEHIND THIS SECTION: COMICS/PUZZLES, 2-3C • BUSINESS, 4C • RECORD, 6C Check out our used riding mowers and tractors.

2580 Rockdale Road, Dubuque, IA 52003 563-556-2071

John Deere ••Kubota Exmark • Cub Cadet lawnpower.com adno=164161