Howard - A Review

The film opens up with a Beauty and the Beast recording session in New York City. As Paige O’Hara reviews the opening lines from “Belle” with Howard, one realizes that this was Howard Ashman at what was truly the peak of his career, even if it was an unknown peak at the time. “We knew something special was happening that day,” narrates Hahn. “But what we didn’t know, was that in nine months, Howard would be gone.”  

From this point, the viewer is taken into Howard’s life story, beginning with his Maryland childhood and continuing into his studies at Boston University and Goddard College. As many students of the arts will find relatable, Howard was drawn into the theatre, specifically musical theatre, from a very young age. Accounts from his sister of his elaborate shows and set-ups at home, the desire to create and tell a story, set the tone of someone who would devote his life to telling the best stories imaginable, creating magic for all who would see them.



The film discusses in depth Ashman’s early days in New York, opening the Off-Off-Broadway WPA Theater and the creation of shows such as “God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater” and “Little Shop of Horrors” (both with songwriting partner Menken). After his collaboration with composer Marvin Hamlisch, “Smile,” failed on Broadway, Howard turned his attention to California and Disney’s animation division, where Howard saw the potential of his songwriting and storytelling skills in musical theatre being put to use in that medium. The results, as most know, are a significant part of Disney history. Sadly, Howard passed away From AIDS at age 39, before ever being able to see his completed masterwork, “Beauty and the Beast.”

A younger Howard Ashman (right) and long-time songwriting partner Alan Menken (Left). 

Storytelling: We are all looking for great story in a film, television series, book, music, dance, work of art, etc. “Howard” is not just a great documentary, it is also a masterclass in storytelling itself. Ashman’s creation of stories beyond lyrics – how is this song going to tell a story, how are we going to move things forward? – is a “how-to” for storytellers. His idea of an exposition song, such as “Part of Your World” in “The Little Mermaid” (which Howard fiercely fought to keep in the finished film – can you imagine?) is almost standard in Disney movie musicals now (Tangled, Pocahontas, Mulan, to name only a few), yet it seemed such an odd concept to many at the time. His ideas such as, “Let’s just say the crab (Sebastian) is Jamaican,” and insisting that the concept drawing of Ursula based on drag queen Divine WAS Ursula helped shape “The Little Mermaid” into the Disney classic so many know and love today.

Music: When watching a good documentary, one should feel inspired to seek out more about the subject at hand. Howard Ashman was a lyricist, so this was pretty much a no-brainer for me. When watching “Howard,” I found myself singing along when snippets of his songs were played. From “Little Shop of Horrors” to “Aladdin,” along with everything in between, if I wasn’t singing out loud or humming, I definitely had these tunes running through my head. And to hear Menken and Ashman singing some of the demos from these films was golden, raw, and genuine – I found myself smiling a lot due to the music. (Speaking of music, “Howard” contains new music from Alan Menken, a wonderfully moving touch to the narration throughout the film. I, for one, hope there is a score to be released.)



Screenshot of Ashman with Paige O'Hara (Belle) durning the NYC recording session of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Humanity: “Howard“ is not a film comprised purely of Disney magic and dreams come true. It is a very real story of a driven man determined to do what he did best, which was tell stories that relate to the audience. It’s also about a gay man who was faced with the reality of AIDS at a time when it was unknown, a disease called by many as the “gay cancer,” as it was thought to be pretty much just that – a killer disease that hit the gay community. As he watched friends and his ex-boyfriend succumb to the illness, it had a profound effect on him; referenced a bit in the movie, the song “Sheridan Square” was a song written by Howard in response to the toll the epidemic had taken on so many he knew.

A beautiful, haunting demo of "Sheridan Square."

When Howard is diagnosed himself, the film takes a turn for the heartbreaking. He doesn’t even want the test for fear his insurance could be cancelled. He has to make it through rehearsals and press junkets while wearing a catheter and becoming easily tired – not that others knew; he was afraid the idea of a gay man with AIDS was not the “friendly image” Disney would want. His lyrics carried a deeper meaning after his diagnosis was known:

We don't like
What we don't understand
In fact it scares us
And this monster is mysterious at least… (The Mob Song – Beauty and the Beast)

He became frustrated and irritable, with Menken breaking down in tears thinking HE did something. In truth, he was a man on borrowed time, living with a disease that was a virtual death sentence. He was a man who had planned a life in a newly built upstate New York house with his partner, Bill Lauch. He was a human being who was recognized for his genius – a genius that could have brought so much more to the world, had his life not been cut tragically short.

He was 39.

“Howard” is more than a documentary, although it is an excellent one at that. It is a testament. A story wonderfully told by those who knew him best. A film masterfully directed by Don Hahn. A story of a genius we may not see the likes of again.

I refuse to give movies “star ratings.” I prefer not to nitpick at the little things if the story itself is enough to keep me riveted, entertained, moves me to tears, or inspires me. “Howard” did all of that, and I cannot recommend this one enough.

“Howard,” from Stone Circle Pictures is available for streaming on Disney+ now.