The Phantom of the Opera directed by Joel Schumacher is the 2004 adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical of the same name. The Phantom of the Opera stars Gerard Butler as the Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine Daaé and Patrick Wilson as Raoul, the Viscount of Chagny, who are involved in a love triangle. The film was met with generally mixed and negative reviews: Schumacher's use of direction, cinematography and editing, as well as symbolism contribute to the production of The Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom of the Opera centers on the Paris Opera. which over time became the domain of the Ghost. Upon news that the opera house has been purchased and is under a new owner, the Phantom demands that the new owners honor the "agreement" he made with the previous owners and that the fifth opera house box remains empty for its use and that its salary of 20,000 francs per month is honored. The Phantom also demands that Christine, to whom he secretly gives singing lessons, replace Carlotta Giudicelli, the prima donna of the opera company. He also warns that if his demands are not met, the opera and the opera company will have to pay the consequences. Although the Phantom's origins are unknown to the general population of the opera, Madame Giry knows more about the Phantom than she lets on. It is later discovered that Madame Giry helped the Phantom escape a life of abuse from a freak show and hid him at the opera house where she was studying ballet. It was during Christine and the Phantom's singing lessons that he began to fall in love with her and became obsessed and protective of her. The return of Christine's first love, Raoul, threatens to tear Christine apart middle of paper...... of Christine as being so emotionally tortured and romantically torn that Raoul and the Phantom should wonder if there is another man” (Ebert). Ebert effectively highlights the highs and lows of Schumacher's The Phantom of the Opera. Although the film is visually stunning, there is a lot to be said about the storyline, acting and length. Few redeeming qualities make Schumacher's version of The Phantom of the Opera worth watching. By glorifying the Ghost, Schumacher undermines the demon that he was and the torments he inflicted on those around him. Works citedEbert, Roger. “The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber.” RogerEbert.com. December 22, 2004. Web. March 6, 2011. Schumacher, Joel, dir. The Phantom of the Opera. Warner Bros, 2004. Cinema.