Rent

Ok, I am currently in my post-haze fog, complete with my headache from that good solid cry I had a two thirds into the movie (although I must admit I shed a few tears at the very beginning, just seeing it on the big screen....)

I don't really know even how to begin this one. One big question I have is I wonder how people who have never seen it before will react to it. I am going to be very careful to not put any spoilers in here. But being me, a true renthead, someone who could actually say and or sing virtually every line in the movie, well, I loved it. It was more vivid and real then I could ever have imagined it. I've often wondered what it would be like to actually live in the city (of course, in better circumstances than this) so it was often difficult to visualize the general setting for me, and this movie did that amazingly well.

For the most part, I think that Chris Columbus did a great job sticking to the original material. I can go piece by piece and described what was awesome, but it mostly was, so I guess instead I'll do the few minor things that I thought were lacking, because there are very few things to mention.

1) I thought the scene with engagement party scene was distracting and out of place. There must have been a better way to show where Jo Ann was coming from. Although I enjoyed the song in this setting, very humorous, the build up was to jarring to make it worth it. And, despite it, I don't think enough was done to bring out Joann's character. In addition, I missed Maureen's comment regarding Maureen and Mark's friendship "I can't take them as chums..." and, for that matter, Mark and Joanne’s friendship in general was majorly glossed over.

2) I am really disappointed that they took at the fight between Mark and Roger and Mimi's "Goodbye Love" section. I really hope this comes as an extra on the DVD. It makes their reunion so much sweeter and provides much more context.

Thing I really liked:

Most of the songs they changed into dialogue truly did work well in the context of the movie. Of course, that’s why seeing the play is awesome, because you'll get all of those little snippets sung for you, but in this context it was fine. I did miss the big "Christmas Bells are Ringing" scene, right before Maureen's protest, because that is my favorite song to sing... I like those medleys...

Also, every song they did sing was so amazingly powerful. You know how when you watch Saturday Night Live, they have these really great sketches, and then they just have these really cheesy, weak endings that leave you like... oh, well, it was a pretty good sketch, I guess...? Well at the end of each one of these incredible songs, you'd be like, "God, how will they end this scene without it coming across as cheesy or weak?" And you'd find yourself praying for the scene to not be ruined...and it never was! The scene often would hold for a moment to give yourself time to catch your breath and then cut to a new scene.

Highlights...

God, It was like seeing the play from the front row. Seeing their faces, their reactions, awesome.

Tango Maureen...this was the one song that stuck in my head when I first saw the play in London, 1998. And I thought the film version was bang on. I think that Tracie Thoms is so adorable!

La Vie Boheme - Always a favorite in the play, and the movie did not disappoint either. I think this scene would be so much fun to act out and dance too. For the most part, the camera didn't distract (As in, very occasionally, the camera would pan in and focus on one person when I wanted to back away and watch the scene from distance, more like a stage. But this was very rare) "Actual Reality, Act Up, Fight Aids!"

The original cast (or most of it) was a brilliant and totally perfect choice.
Adam Pascal really is a perfect Roger...you wanted to hug him and kick his ass at the same time. And he is so darn cute! I love when Collins shakes his head on the subway during the Sante Fe song.

Jessie L. Martin was also charming and brilliant as Collins. His voice has so much power and emotion, and he was so sweet and happy singing his love song to Angel.

Idina Menzel is an awesome Maureen, perfectly confident, sexy, and she has that powerhouse voice. And her moo... well... wow

Taye Diggs played a perfectly smart ass Benny...although I think a few key scenes that show a but more of his humanness were cut out...

It was so awesome to see Wilson Jermaine Heredia play Angel, and he did an awesome job (I am running out of adjectives!) I loves seeing Jai Rodriguez in the role on stage, but I am so glad that Wilson did this for the film version. I really think he did a good job of showing Angel's kindness, sincerity, and loving, giving nature.

Tracie Thoms, the new Joanne, did a great job in the role she was given...I don't think the script showed enough of her personality, she seemed far to at ease in Maureen's world, but I think Tracie herself worked the material well. And what a beautiful voice...a great match for Idina and Jessie.

Rosario Dawson, the other newbie, stepped right into the role as Mimi and she was amazing. She ia a fabulous singer and dancer!

And of course, Anthony Rapp. The film would not have been complete without him. Although I have never seen him on stage, he is the Mark that I always visualize. Amazing.

Ok, I guess I should give it a rest. I am seeing it again on Friday, so I may comment more then.

Go see it.

"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way, no day but today!"