So I finally watched Dear Evan Hansen now that it's on HBO Max. Keep in mind i've still never seen the stage show, but... I didn't hate it?
Ben Platt's age definitely seems to vary wildly in how old he looks and it's extremely distracting throughout. The actual story is pretty much what I had pieced together throughout the years. I find it creepy yet at the same time slightly complex of a subject matter considering his own mental health issues. I almost don't blame him for lying and saying that he was friends to the parents because of how heartbroken they were, but it's where he took it from there that's the issue for me. I don't even give him the credit for raising the money because he honestly wanted little to no part in that. He just wanted to get with Zoe. If it wasn't for Alana, that fundraiser probably would've never happened.
Overall though, I did think that the acting and vocal performances were good though (for the most part), even if the main character was miscast and the songs are frustratingly catchy for a musical about something so overtly wrong. I get the appeal of having Ben Platt in this movie. His voice is synonymous with the show, but tbh, I would've preferred seeing either just a younger actor play him, or someone like Jordan Fisher who could've pulled off a HS senior rather easily and doesn't already have face wrinkles like he's 40.
Oh, and his hair looked ridiculous. Should've stuck with the stage look.