Revisiting ‘The Sound of Music’ 55 years later.

The original poster for ‘The Sound of Music’

The Sound of Music is THE family movie, it has great performances, unforgettable songs and a beautiful backdrop. So how does a film released in 1965 fare in 2020? The answer is VERY WELL.

Story

A young postulate named Maria in Salzburg Austria (expressly described as a flibbertigibbet, will-o’-the-wisp and clown) is sent to the Von Trapp house to be the new governess to seven children. While there she fills the house with joy and music eventually capturing the heart of the Von Trapp children and their father.

The story is such a hopeful one. It focuses on family and the healing nature of music and I think that’s why it so beloved. I watched the movie with my parents and when it ended my dad turned to my mum and I and asked “What is it about this movie that people love?” which led us into a deep analysis of the movie and we came up with a few points. People love this movie for a few reasons

1. It’s family-oriented
2. Has really cute children
3. Has great music
4. Is filled with beautiful scenery
5. (Spoiler Alert if you haven’t seen the movie but it’s been out for 55 years, that one is on you if you haven’t seen it by now. Also, know that I am judging you.) The good guys getaway in the end

Acting

This is Julie Andrews’s movie. Maria is the heart and soul of the movie and if her performance didn’t work the whole movie would fall apart. The last time I watched this movie was 2 years go on my 19th birthday and back then I wasn’t paying attention to movie the way I am now. That is to say that I used to think Maria was one-dimensional character, but that isn’t the case. There is so much to her and you can see that from the first 20 minutes of the movie when she says that she felt the hills were “calling out to her”. As the movie goes on you see her grow and learn but you also see the different sides to her. Maira is kind, caring, witty and fierce when she needs to be and all of these things make for a well-rounded character. When you add in the fact that Julie Andrews as an actress is likeable, (I mean she’s Mary Poppins, how could she NOT be likeable?) you have a character who is not only appealing to the other characters but is…