Patrick Wilson wrong for Raoul?

[mrmusicals]

We know that Patrick Wilson has a beautful voice as well as being a talented actor, in movies and on broadway. He is not, in my opinion, right for this movie. His Raoul comes across as a "whimp" and rather egotistical. I do NOT mean to suggest here that he is a BAD actor/singer. He is very gifted, a genius. The stage Raoul is anything but egotistical, he's very warm and full of compassion. The movie Raoul bothers me but AGAIN, this is my opinion.

When I heard that Josh Grobin had been considered for Raoul, I was very excited. As I say above, In the stage version of this, my favorite musical, Raoul is everything but a whimp, and Grobin would've been just right with his dark looks and equally beautful voice. Grobin is even sexier then Wilson,but that's my opinion. His black curly hair is so hot (Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr).

Raoul is a spoiled brat in the movie which is just a shame I think. I've seen the stage version of Phantom 89 times and in no performaces does Raoul come across like this. In the movie ,the phantom is obviously a "hottie", even with his slightly disfigured face he is more of a man then Raoul. Starting Decmeber 22, 2004, in selected cities all over the US, Phantom opened on the big screen to mixed reviews. Also starting on and after that date, I attened 18 screenings of this movie and in almost all of the viewings, women in those movie theatres were all shouting at the screen telling Christine to "go with the Phantom instead of Raoul". You the reader can get angey here all you want ,but this is what happened at all 18 screenings. One of the worst lines in the movie,also belongs to Wilson, "Obviously, Madame Giry, Genuis has turned to Madness". I'm not saying here that Wilson is BAD, just that he made some poor choices as an actor for this role. He is saved in some respects as he has just a beautful voice. On the compact disc, he is breathtaking and that is probably why he was given the role in the first place. Oh Josh Oh Josh, what could've been!

[Silhouette]

I dont think Josh Grobin would have done a good job either but I also was not thrilled with the casting of patrick wilson. I think they could have found someone better then both of them. Wilson came across way to much as a spoiled little pretty boy, and he didnt interact with emmy all that well i felt like the connection between Emmy and the Gerard butler was much stronger and more obvious which is why it seems more rediculous that she chose raoul over the phantom. Ive seen the play many times before so I knew it would happen but it almost seemed like thay would change the movie version.

[cinty]

Hmmm... no comment. Just have to say that I thought he was absolutely perfect and a wonderful choice. But I'm not familiar with Josh Groban.
Patrick was handsome, charming, with a superb voice and great acting skills. Perfect traits for Raoul.
Lol, so much for my "no comment"! I respect your comments about Patrick, so was just inserting my two cents.

[Requiem]

Mmmm, I don't think Patrick did anything to Raoul that wasn't already there. Raoul was meant to be a one-dimensional character to contrast strongly with the troubled, complicated nature of the Phantom. He was meant to be a Prince Charming character, dashing, handsome, a little boring. He represented the "other side" for Christine - the Phantom was everything twisted, dangerous and sensual, Raoul was everything sensible, straight-laced and heroic. That's how I saw it anyhow.

Patrick Wilson added some depth to Raoul - he certainly added sex appeal ;). I loved that he was emotional and got involved more than the stage Raoul - he fought and got a bit wet and so on. I know this was only done to try to lift the heavy "Raoul's such a pansy boring fecker" stereotype on the poor bloke, but still, I thought it was a great added touch :).

As for Josh Groban... well, he's certainly a fantastic singer, and does a great job opposite Sarah Brightman ("There for Me") on stage, but he seems a little too "little-boy" looking to me. The dark curls and pretty little face just don't add up to a mature, attractive Raoul in my books. He does indeed have a beautiful voice, surpassing every one of the movie cast's voices, but he doesn't have the right looks to me.

By the way, Cinty... I love your avatar! Go Orinky-dink Christine and Raoul!

[ChristineDaae]

I liked Patrick Wilson's Raoul. Since he managed to make me like Raoul in general, which I never have before, in any version, I can't say anything bad about him.

[The Khanum]

I think Pat's interpretation was just as it should be...I respected him more in the movie than I did in, say, Leroux's novel and the play. He came off just as I thought he should: Rich, handsome, and, as Requiem said, slightly one-dimensional. But that's not an insult to Pat as an actor...it's how I pictured Raoul to be.

~Erik is my Hero

[cinty]

I'm glad you like my avatar Requiem! I like it too. ;)
I'm also very happy that people like Patrick Wilson. I thought he was wonderful. For voice, Steve Barton is truly wonderful, but Patrick Wilson is *ahem* SO HOT!!! I just can't see Josh Groban doing it.. not that I am very familiar with him... but I just can't. I thought Patrick did such a great job. I love him so much, and his voice is superb. No offence to the Gerry fans, but Patrick can sing a lot better than him. Granted, Patrick was a trained singer.

[Night feather]

I was very displeased with Patricks portraition as Raoul. He showed Raoul like a spoiled brat, and quite a bit of a whimp. This had really let to the fop interpretation of the character. After reading Kay's novel, I like Raoul's Character, but I don't think that Patrick was good in it. In the start he was realyl "argh... mean thoughts" later on he inproved, but he still had quite the whimpy streak.

He has great singing voice, in the start I didn't liked it, but after listening to the soundtrack over and over again, I've beggined to like it much better.

Also after watching Angel's in America I've begun to like Patrick Wilson much better, he is exellent in that role.

So my conclusion is that Patrick is a great singer and a good actor, but he was wrong for that role.

[Reza Khan]

Originally posted by Erik is my Hero
I think Pat's interpretation was just as it should be...I respected him more in the movie than I did in, say, Leroux's novel and the play. He came off just as I thought he should: Rich, handsome, and, as Requiem said, slightly one-dimensional. But that's not an insult to Pat as an actor...it's how I pictured Raoul to be.
I couldn't have put it better myself. After seeing the movie, I read the book, and I was really glad that they made Raoul slightly less of a wuss... :)

Elizabeth

[Phantomgirl05]

Originally posted by ChristineDaae
I liked Patrick Wilson's Raoul. Since he managed to make me like Raoul in general, which I never have before, in any version, I can't say anything bad about him.
I agree! Patrick also made me like Raoul. Of course, I'd never seen another version of the Phantom so I'm not so sure if I'm really supposed to like Raoul, but now I do. lol

As to the original poster, I love Josh Groban, an amazing singer and a lovely and talented person in general, but from my POV, I don't really think he would be good for Raoul. And can he even act? I don't think he's ever done any kind of acting before...perhaps that's why he didn't get the role. You also have to know how to act, too. ;)

[IamErik771]

I thought Pat made an excellent Raoul. He came across as much less of a wimpy pretty-boy than Leroux's Raoul, and many of the stage actors, for that matter. I first heard him sing on a preview clip of AIAOY that was broadcast during an interview with ALW, about two months before the soundtrack was released. I have to admit, I was slightly thrown off when I heard him, since the only Raoul I had heard before him was Steve Barton. However, I think he's got an awesome voice, and I'm glad he was chosen.

As for Josh Groban... I know he can sing beautifully, but can he act? If so, he might have been good.

[Raoulsgal0689]

No he is not wrong for Raoul!!!! Anyone who says he is is totally 100% wrong about it!!!

[toxic fruit]

I loved his voice...and though I haven't read the book yet, I'm glad that the movie portrayed him as less wimpy. The very first time I watched the movie I loved Raoul and then it was only when my peers corrupted me that I questioned my decision.

[Eriks_Angel]

It took me watching the movie and listening to the soundtrack several times, to get used to Patrick Wilson in the role. I don't think it is Patrick's fault that the character comes across as 'wimpy,' the film was supposed to portray him this way and leave the viewer wishing that Christine would have chosen the Phantom in the end. I think Patrick is one of the best Raouls there have been.

[imported_Miss_Daae]

I thought Mr. Wilison was the perfect Raoul.

[Parisian Phantom]

I actually quite liked Patrick Wilson's performance. :) He is both a very talented actor and singer, so I was very pleased to see him on the cast list. Of course, I also had some doubts about him, especially during a few scenes of the movie where he interacted with Emmy Rossum, but that didn't change my opinion of him. He brought a lot to the movie, and I doubt that anyone else could have done such a terrific job.

To be honest, Raoul seems the second hardest character to portray, after Erik, in my opinion. He is emmotionally complex and unsettled and still very young for the kind of feelings he is dealing with and the situation he is going through. Like some of the ones who posted above, Patrick also made me like the character a lot more, so I couldn't complain about him whatsoever. :)

[The Floor]

I a-flippin-gree with the original opinion. Patrick Wilson is WRONG for the role of Raoul in the movie. He's a stage actor. Period. Not a screen actor. He has a terribly flawless voice, and marvellous personality live, but in the movie, he seems like a prettyboy, which Raoul is definitely not. ^______^ I don't like the 'written' Raoul, but the stage version changed that for me. Seeing the movie had me somewhat disappointed and confused - was Christine's choice justified, leaving the phantom for a whimp like that? (Sidenote: Emmy Rossum downplayed Christine's spunk in the movie, making her seem tamer. Just because Christine was 'pure' that doesn't make her naive, pholks!)

Aaaaaanyways, I think PW was totally wrong for the part of Raoul. Though I still love his voice, and the character of Raoul altogether... strange, how life works out.

[AAW0487]

Though Raoul is not my favorite character. I thought after most of the books i've read that Patrick Wilson did a great job! In some versions of the book i've read Raoul is rather wimpy. Not saying that he always is though! I didn't think Patrick was wimpy up until the very end. I thought that he was rather tough during the sword scene! He did a great job really! I really can't see anyone playing the part of Raoul. He was handsome, great singer, and actor. Plays the vicomte with dignity and looks like he should be in that time era. I loved him for the role!

[Erik]

Patrick was wrong for Raoul.

Not because he can't sing or didn't look the part, because he did, but because he could have been better. Not the Phantom, but the part of Raoul didn't suite him, not the other way aruond.

He didn't even want to be Raoul, he said so on an interview on Sirius Radio. Go Patrick, go.

[Night feather]

Patrick Wilson was completely and utterly WRONG for the role of Raoul.

He is an exellent singer there is no doubt about that, but personally I don't like the expression in his voice, there wasn't really a personal expression, no emotion. Also in the books, and in the musical in fact Raoul is a very sweet natured young man, Patrick Wilson made him and arrogant arse, from having just seen the musical on stage he screwed the little lotte scene up completely. When I saw it on stage the guy wo played Raoul made him seem sweet and absolutely over his head with joy of seeing Christine again, in the film he tries to force her with him. Patrick Wilson makes Christine' choice much less understandeble in my opinion. In my opinion he was inconvincing and unsympathetical as Raoul...

[Mrs Nadir Khan]

I think Patrick did a lovely job as Raoul. It's the director I have more of a problem with. Joel likes pizazz and he definitely got his wish in Raoul's wardrobe. But that's not something we can blame Patrick for. I think he'd make a wonderful stage Raoul, under a different director.

I wish they would have delved slightly into Raoul's character in the movie. I mean, I know it's not called "The Vicomte of the Opera", but I still wish that in the two-ish hours, they could have squeezed in some Raoul-centric moments where he's more than a flat character. I really don't think this has to do with Patrick's performance.

[Hidden Away]

Okay, was Raoul suppose to be a hated character? I honestly did like his portraying way of Raoul, but Raoul in general I hate. I only like Steve Barton's Raoul and that's it. I don't know why...my god sis agrees too....hehe!

[IamErik771]

Raoul definitely wasn't 'supposed' to be a hated character. However, a lot of Phans tend to dislike him because they see him as the main reason why Erik wasn't able to keep Christine and have his happy ending. *shrug* Personally, I don't mind Raoul, although I thought he was a bit of a wimp in Leroux's original novel.

Interestingly, ALW and the people responsible for putting together the stage show didn't seem to like Raoul all that much either -- in one interview, they refer to him as Christine's "rather drippy suitor," and Cameron Mackintosh (the producer of the show) called him "a knight in shining Armani." XD Ironically, I thought the stage version of Raoul tended to be the strongest and most likable version, depending on the actor playing the role.

And it seems Joel Schumacher didn't like the character much, either. In the version of the screenplay that appears in the companion book for the film, Raoul is frequently described as 'annoying.' XDD

[Hidden Away]

I honestly don't think that Patrick's voice was up to the part of Raoul. yes Raoul was supposed to be young, but to me way too young. and well yes...he was 'annoying'! hehe! Wow well, some people (like my friends) are completley in love with Raoul as of dropping on your knees for him to marry her kinda deal. But well I just think he's 'okay' not all that, but okay decent...but if he were the last man on Earth and I were the last woman...he's then only become the last person on Earth...

[MllePaula]

While I don't like the way Raoul was written in the script and didn't care for his wigs, of the three leads, he was really the only one right for the part. He's got the right vocal training and experience - he has a fine voice, has sung on Broadway, and can sing the music with having a computer loop or otherwise assist the high notes. He was the only one who was really even close to the appropriate age - in his quest to make things "young" and "sexy," the director turned Christine into a just barely-legal girl and the Phantom into a young, hot hunk.

Patrick isn't my favorite Raoul - mainly due to the script - but he's the best of the three leads.

And he's also very nice in person.

[masquerading rose]

Paula,

I couldn't have said it better! If Patrick Wilson didn't play raoul, it would have been Kevin Spacey (according to Joel Schummacher). I think Patrick was the best Raoul, or at least tied for first with Steve Barton, Hugh Panero, John Cudia, and Greg Mills.

ErikismyAngel5- P{atrick actually had voice training. From the time he could talk, his mother (a voice coach and opera singer) gave him voice lessons and had him signed up for a few and some acting classes. You can't say he had a horrible voice if he went through all of that. Sure, emmy sang at the Met, but her voice naturally isn't cut out for opera. It has a better pop quality to it. Anyways, Raoul wasn't meant to be annoying and Patrick Wilson didn't make seem that way. Again, it was the director's fault Raoul seems annoying. Personally, I don't see him as such. If you would actually look past the fact that Erik is the lead character, you would see how wonderful Raoul is. If you can stop being angry because it's obvious Patrick has a MUCH better voice over Gerard, you would actually start tolerating Raoul. And if you don't like Raoul, don't blame Patrick for that. It's not his fault everybody loved his voice so they cast him. It's not PATRICK'S fault you don't like Raoul. Don't let your hatred of raoul get in the way of at least LIKING Patrick's voice. Don't forget, Raoul isn't Patrick Wilson.

[Hidden Away]

I'm just saying that I didn't like his voice as Raoul. But I do think that Patick is a wonderful actor! He was born in VA!!! yeah! I think I might live near his birthtown...isn't it near the ocean? well anyways, I don't hate Raoul I just think he's not exact the perfect man. And now I see for myself, that Erik isn't exactly perfect, but for me the better choose. So just for clarifying! hehe! Huggles to ya Chrissy!

[angelgirl]

I think Patrick Wilson was perfect for Raoul. He was the one person that actually got me liking Raoul. He's not portrayed as as much of a wimp as he is in the novel. (Every time I read the novel, I want to yell, "Come on, Raoul. Be a man!) It's interesting to learn that he actually had voice training. I thought the stage Raoul I saw, Greg Mills was a little better, but Patrick comes close!
A.G.

[masquerading rose]

I love Greg Mills. I saw him live as well. But yes, Patrick wilson was the only one with true training. Emmy had very little training from years and years before and Gerry had like.. none at all. Patrick I think is a brilliant actor and wonderful singer. Not to mention a great dad to his kid...

[Madame le Courayer]

There is no denying that Patrick Wilson has a beautiful voice. I could probably listen to AIAOY a thousand times (04 movie soundtrack) as opposed to Gerry's rather annoying MOTN.
However, in the acting department I felt he lacked something...while he sang the songs very prettily, he didn't put as much heart and soul into his interpretation of them as previous Raouls have done (ie. Steve Barton, Byron Nease). There is a difference between interpreting a song and just singing it. He just seemed to throw his gorgeous voice out there when it was time to sing and then walked through the rest of the movie. The only time he seemed to show any real emotion was when the Phantom was trussing him up and even in the final lair his "Why make her lie to you, to save me?" etc. was just flat. I don't say this because I hate Raoul (I don't actually, I just prefer Erik!) but because I have seen and heard so many better Raouls.
But believe me, Patrick Wilson is probably the least of my complaints about the 04 movie!

Long live :phanc1:

[MystMoonstruck]

I'm a Patrick Wilson supporter, too. I thought he did a wonderful job, and he made me a fan. I've realized how instantly recognizable he is in his various roles, and that recocognition factor can be very important to an actor.

I think he made a dashing, charming rescuer. In Leroux's novel, Raoul has been pampered and perhaps catered to; so, if that is his background for the musical, I think Patrick Wilson did a very good job of portraying a "golden boy" who is used to people liking him. He's handsome and healthy, with an heroic outlook on life. He does not hesitate to follow Erik when he takes Christine. I doubt that one could call a man like that "wimpy". Perhaps he's naive and foolhardy, but he certainly is no wimp! He trounces Erik in their duel, doesn't he? When we see him, smiling, excited, standing as he urges the horses on, he looks nothing like a wimp, a fop or any other derogatory remark that is made in his direction.

When I saw the title of the thread, I had to drop by to defend our handsome hero. Also, I love the way he sings, which complements Christine's voice, blending with it wonderfully.

I won't attack, but I will defend.

[Senta]

Seemingly everyone working with the show hates Raoul, Patrick didn't even want to play him, and I've heard that all his costumes were second-hand... The last thing isn't necessarily bad, of course, but along with everything else it seems to me that they didn't bother putting any work into the character.

Anyways, to get back on topic:
Patrick was my fave of the leads. He has a nice singing voice, he's the right age and he looks the part (not exactly how I picture Raoul, but def. not wrong either). All in all - except the times when he came of as a spoiled brat, which is more likely the director's fault anyway - I think he was a great Raoul. While I adore the Leroux version of Raoul I did like to see him as a braver person. You know, as the kind of guy you could actually imagine going on that expedition Leroux talked about.

I also think Patrick was a better choice than Josh Groban or Kevin Spacey. I'm a fan of Josh but I don't think he's right for the part.

[AutumnLioness]

I'm a Grobanite but I must disagree with a lot of people that Josh would have been a good Raoul. His voice suits The Phantom a lot better. Although his looks would be good for Raoul.

As for Patrick Wilson being Raoul, I have to be totally honest here. I don't believe it was a good choice for Raoul. What led me to believe this is the fact that I found Patrick's version of All I Ask Of You sung without enough emotion. Josh's version, however, at the Concert for Diana in 2007, was sung with the right amount of emotion that Raoul should have had in the movie.

[Madame le Courayer]

One word for Patrick Wilson: Wooden.

A good Raoul can almost (almost, mind you!) turn me into an R/C shipper but I tend to favor the more seasoned actors/singers for his part. PW in my humble opinion did not fit the bill for me. I would have liked to see a bit older Raoul (not much older because I realize he is supposed to be young) maybe even with a little moustache like in the book? I would have had Raoul be more passionate and impulsive (again: Book!)
For me Patrick Wilson just seemed to walk through the movie as though his golden voice would carry the role. Sorry, but for this POTO phan it didn't.
Maybe his lack of realistic-looking emotion was to enhance GB's Phantom, which wasnt all that real (except for select scenes) either...I don't know. But he just didn't pull off the Raoul in my mind at all.

[The Countess]

It would have been cool to see Ewan McGregor in the role. Although he isn't Broadway bound, he did a decent job in Moulin Rouge and he's a fairly good movie-singer.

[Hidden Away]

We know that Patrick Wilson has a beautful voice as well as being a talented actor, in movies and on broadway. He is not, in my opinion, right for this movie. His Raoul comes across as a "whimp" and rather egotistical. I do NOT mean to suggest here that he is a BAD actor/singer. He is very gifted, a genius. The stage Raoul is anything but egotistical, he's very warm and full of compassion. The movie Raoul bothers me but AGAIN, this is my opinion.

When I heard that Josh Grobin had been considered for Raoul, I was very excited. As I say above, In the stage version of this, my favorite musical, Raoul is everything but a whimp, and Grobin would've been just right with his dark looks and equally beautful voice. Grobin is even sexier then Wilson,but that's my opinion. His black curly hair is so hot (Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr).

I hate to agree, but I do :( He just seemed, I'll stop that sentence :(

He just didn't have that appeal that showed that he was someone to stand on his own. That's probably why i hated him in the beginning. I watched him other placed and fell in loved with his voice and technique in acting. But Raoul didn't capture his best.

JOsh groban as Raoul...*passes out* *minutes later* I would crawl to watch him anyday. As Raoul I would pull myself by my tongue (crosses fingers behind back)...okay maybe not that drastic would I go to see it. But I would loveeeeeeeeeeto see him in that part! He just has that strong charm to him. With the range and the voice and the hair! YES!!! oh yess the hair!!! he would do beautifully....humm do he act?

Okay back to Patrick Wilson. I love and appreciate him as an actor, but as Raoul I think that it's just not exactly type casting's cup of tea.

I'm soooo sorry to all you Partick phans, I'm just not exactly connecting to you mind. :'( I have phailed! *sad sigh*

DOn't kill me
PJ

[masquerading rose]

Can't stand on his own? A push over? We are talking about the same Patrick Wilson, right? For your information, he played Nightowl in Watchman, and Billy in Carosel. Don't tell me he's a push over. Do your research.

As amazing as a voice Josh Groban has, does he have experience in acting? Singing is one thing, acting is another, and putting them together takes so much skill and hard work. I've seen him act on stage with Sarah Brightman. Didn't work out.

Did you know Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson and Jennifer ellison were the only actors that had previous voice training? Emmy Rossoum was even lacking there. Sure, the managers were fine in their roles, but the three I just mentioned above were ehat made the movie.

Joel Schumacher, you must remember, took a lot of creative liscense with teh Phantom's character, perhaps to the detriment of Raoul's. Fancy screen shots replaced pivitol lines that make Raoul sympathetic and would've showcased Patrick's talents. Bare this in mind before you get so harsh on him.

Wooden? How can you look at a man, singing passionately to his co-star, perfectly in character, and think wooden? I'm sorry but wooden is not a word that comes to my mind when I see Patrick preform. Tender, or real, or protective would be some of teh adjectives that come to mind when seeing Patrick play Raoul. There are many more, but one of them is NOT wooden.

[Hidden Away]

I'm sorry but we do have our own opinions. I hate that it's my opinion that angers you but it is true in my thoughts. I honestly have nothing against Patrick. I just didn't particularly like him in the role of Raoul. Josh Groban does not have acting experience I'm sure, but people can learn, right? I know my opinion is not what you think, but what I think and what you think are two completely different things.

I should be talking about Partick right now considering where I was.

Basically I'm sorry, I can't help what I think nor can you. :(