Monday, December 05, 2005
Rent: The Movie
So, I went to go see Rent, last night with my friend Mary. It was good. Very good. I had a great time. It made me, laugh, cry, and want to sing and shout. What more can you ask for in a movie? (OK. Sex, but it's not that kind of movie).
Rent, the movie, is, of course, inspired by Rent, the Broadway Musical. I've never got to see the musical, so I can't say how they compare, except from what I've read in reviews. The musical, is a Pulitzer and Tony Award winner about Bohemians of the East Village (Avenue A area) of New York City. Who struggle with love, life, addictions, HIV/AIDS, and of course, paying the rent. The show and the road to get to it, is impressive, though not untreaded. Jonathan Larson acknowledged that the show was partially based on Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème; and though never officially resolved, others have acknowledged, that he may have also borrowed from author, Sarah Schulman's People in Trouble.
Rent is in many ways about the struggle of life, so it's apt that it took over seven years to evolve from concept to the first performance. It's also, sad, but oddly poetic, that before the first show, the writer, Jonathan Larson, died of an aortic anerysm. He had collapsed during the rehersal of "What You Own" (iTunes); and was misdiagnosed, twice. Everything is Rent has a good write up on both Jonathan Larson and the process to get Rent to stage.
Dying in America
At the end of the millenium
We're dying in America
To come into our own
And when you're dying in America
At the end of the millenium
You're not alone
—(Mark & Roger, What You Own)
But let us move on to Rent, the Movie. I was afraid, that it would feel dated, or even worse that I, who love musicals, would hate it. So when it came to going to see it, I admit to almost backing out. But I buckled up, requested to my friend, that we go to an earlier film time. Snorted at the line that New York is the center of the universe; and had myself a great time.
What did I love? A lot, so pay close attention, and I'll run through it:
- Seasons of Love. If you read my blog, you already know, I love the song. But I also loved that they used it to start the movie. It put me in a great place to enjoy the rest of the movie. Plus was a nice introduction of the characters.
- One Song Glory. What a lovely song. I love the opening sparseness. I can tolerated the pre-fabricated stadium rock middle, especially since it doesn't stay there that long. Come on sing it, you want to...
One song, glory.
One song, before I go.
Glory. One song to leave behind.
—(Roger Davis, One Song Glory)
- Light My Candle. The Roger/Mimi storyline wasn't one of my favorites. But this duet between Mimi Marquez (Rosario Dawson) and Roger Davis (Adam Pascal) is just cute a sin.
- Tango: Maureen. Yes, maybe I do like this one cause it has two of my favorite characters from the movie, Anthony Rapp as the young director, Mark Cohen; and Tracie Thoms as Joanne Jefferson, the African American lesbian lover to Mark's former lover, Maureen. It's a triangle. Incidently, the same triangle that Sarah Schulman claims was lifted and repurposed from her book, People in Trouble. You might say, I have a thing for slightly repressed individuals whose energy just boils beneath the surface; and well, you'd be right. I totally do. (O' and kudo's for Tracie for coming off of one of my favorite cancelled television shows, Wonderfalls. It was shortlived, and so quirky sweet, and available for viewing on Logo.
- Out Tonight. Okay, what I love about this song is just when Rosario Dawson kind of howls the "let's go out tonight". Otherwise, as I commented elsewhere, the song reminds me of Pete Townsend's Let My Love Open the Door. Which, I also didn't like, but was incredibly insidious in that pop song, can't get you out of my head, way.
- Sante Fee. Jesse L. Martin. Jesse L. Martin.
I love Jesse L Martin. He's soulful. He's cute. And he has a gorgeous voice. My first introduction to the wonderful, Mr. Martin was through the X-Files, where he played, Josh Exley, an alien, alien enough, to select being black baseball player, when "negroes" were stilled called the other "n" word (to their face). I rank this song, purely because he's singing it. But the baseline is fabulous, and bonus points for the use of Phil Pritchett "The Way to Santa Fe". - La Vie Boheme. Anthony Rapp kicks off this song, and it's just plain old fun. Silly fun. The lyrics are random and juvenile, but I love it anyway. Makes me want to jump on the table and dance.
- Take Me or Leave Me. What a sassy number, and Tracie Thoms got to show off her singing chops, and very nice arms in the number. I even liked Idina Menzel as Maureen Johnson in this number, and she was otherwise annoying me (the character, not the actress).
- Finale B. It may sound strange, but next to Seasons of Love, this maybe my favorite song. It's rousing. It's sad. It's almost perfect. I love songs with overlapping choruses, that can shine on simple but heartfelt lyrics. And these qualify:
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today
God, I love that. I went to bed, with that song in my head, and woke up with it on my brain. No day but today! So that's my list of things to love about Rent. It centers around songs, as all good musicals should. But you get the characters that stand out for me—Joanne, Mark, Tom Collins— and other things. The film was uplifting, even though I cried. I can't wait to own it on DVD.
Go see the movie!
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Categories: Movies •
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Permalink: http://www.wide-eyed.org/main/article/rent_the_movie/
Comments
- On 12/05/2005, says:
What a great review of the movie! It really is such a good kick in the butt. I’ve been humming “Seasons of Love” all day. And I can’t wait to hear “Tango Maureen” and “La Vie Boheme” again.
- On 12/05/2005, Alnisa Allgood says:
Wow! You got here before my first edit. Thanks for the kind words. I’ve been listening to the Soundtrack Highlights (purchased from iTunes) all day. I also added the original broadway soundtrack to my shopping cart; cause I really want to hear the difference between the movie and the show.
- On 11/05/2008, steve robin says:
i have actually seen this in the theatre, it did keep my attention for a very long time, i can say i did not get bored, however, i have not seen the movie, i will rent it and let you know what i think