The Mail on Sunday

Why is there such a buzz about..?

The Prom ( Netflix)

- Matthew Bond

The first, and most important thing, first. The Prom is a musical. You know, one of those films where people suddenly burst into song. So if that’s not your thing, move along.

But if it is, or if you’re just in need of some serious cheering up, then make a note to catch up with this barnstormi­ng, infectious­ly joyous production, which is in cinemas now and on Netflix from Friday.

The Broadway musical on which this is based may have closed inside a year but this film version, supercharg­ed by the awards-bait presence of Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and James Corden, and directed by Ryan Murphy, the man who created Glee, feels like it could run for ever. Or certainly get us through Christmas.

The plot is simple. In small-town Indiana a high-school prom is cancelled because the homophobic Parent Teacher Associatio­n won’t tolerate 17-year-old and openly gay Emma going with her girlfriend.

Meanwhile, in New York, a disastrous Broadway show closes on opening night, leaving its two selfabsorb­ed stars suddenly out of work and in desperate need of some good publicity. Like promoting tolerance and inclusion in the bigoted backwaters of Indiana.

It’s familiar territory but it works beautifull­y, helped by some great song-and-dance numbers, some wickedly funny lyrics and by the fact that, stepping up a level once again, Corden (right with Kidman, Andrew Rannells and Streep), channellin­g old-fashioned American camp, more than holds his own. Fab-u-lous!

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