• Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (2016)

    Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along" opened in November 1981 to scathing reviews and closed after just 16 performances. Despite its inauspicious beginnings, the musical's score has grown to become one of the composer's most beloved. Archival footage of the rehearsals along with interviews with the cast -- as well as Sondheim himself and director Harold Prince -- tell the tale of this infamous production.

    Amazon.comiTunes StoreNetflixVUDUWatch Online
Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened
81
metacriticBased on 12 Critics

Release Date: November 18th, 2016

Not Yet Rated |1 hr 37 min

Plot Summary

Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along" opened in November 1981 to scathing reviews and closed after just 16 performances. Despite its inauspicious beginnings, the musical's score has grown to become one of the composer's most beloved. Archival footage of the rehearsals along with interviews with the cast -- as well as Sondheim himself and director Harold Prince -- tell the tale of this infamous production.

Cast: Stephen Sondheim

Director: Lonny Price

Genres: Documentary

Keywords: Brooding, Emotional, Intense, Fall, 1980s, Sacrifice

Watch Online

Cast & Crew

view all

Ratings & Reviews

  • 70
    Robert AbeleTheWrap

    The wistfulness on display is touching and funny, often both at the same time. show more

  • 88
    Peter TraversRolling Stone

    Best Worst Thing brims over with moments of humor and heartbreak that reflect the feeling of knowing "we're what's new." This movie is more than good, pal. It's indispensable. show more

  • 80
    David RooneyThe Hollywood Reporter

    The individual personalities that emerge in interviews both from back in 1981 and now, with the actors in their 50s, are often delightful, both funny and rueful. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com