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by Willie Waffle

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Rent

I liked the movie so much, I can't wait for the sequel - MORTGAGE! (Yes, a lame joke, but what else do you expect from me?)

Set in New York's East Village circa Christmas Eve 1989, Rent tells the stories of several friends and artists struggling with the end of their bohemian lifestyle as a developer wants to tear down their building, some are moving on, some are starting new relationships, some are selling out, and some are dying over the course of one year in the life that will change all of their lives forever.

Once it develops and the audience has some time to meet and get to know the characters, Rent is a moving, emotional film with some exciting music. Audience members need to know Rent is a musical in every sense of the word with very few lines of spoken dialogue as each song is the character's chance to let us know how he or she feels, and advances the story along, while giving us some context for the action on the screen. The only fault I had with Rent was some lack of context.

Early in the movie, director Chris Columbus often provides straight forward song and dance numbers, which can grow tiresome as we wait and wait for more information. It feels like the audience is supposed to watch the Rent kids wallow in their crummy lives while they sing cool songs. However, later in the film, Columbus starts to include some flashbacks and other scenes that help us learn more about the events and incidents in the character's life that make the song more meaningful. It's this understanding of what each character faces that touches the hearts of those in the audience, and shows us how everything is changing for these young people as a personal era ends.

While Columbus originally thought about casting a bunch of pop stars in the movie, eventually, he found himself employing most of the cast from Rent's original theatrical run. That's a smart idea since Rent's biggest strength is its cast, their familiarity with the characters, and outright talent. Newcomer Rosario Dawson puts in a fantastic performance as Mimi - a stripper hooked on heroine and chasing after Roger (Adam Pascal) - a wannabe rock star dying of AIDS and trying to write one great memorable song, so he can feel like he did something with his life. Dawson shows us Mimi's complexity, vivaciousness and vulnerability as she goes through one year of love, heartbreak and challenge, while Pascal lets us realize there are some regrets in this lifestyle being celebrated on the screen, and brings to life the need each character feels to create something that will stand the test of time.

However, newcomer Tracie Thoms and Tony Award-winning Wilson Jermaine Heredia were the biggest treats for me. Thoms is funny and sympathetic as she plays Joanne - Maureen's (Idina Menzel) straight-laced, corporate lawyer girlfriend. She easily has the best voice of anyone in the cast, and does a wonderful job as the group's outsider observing and trying to fit in. Meanwhile, Heredia revives his performance as Angel - the transvestite with a heart of gold. It's a role that can easily be mocked or make certain members of the audience uncomfortable, but Heredia makes Angel into more than a stereotype as he fills the character with warmth, feistiness and love.

After Chicago was a big Oscar winner a few years ago, many predicted Hollywood studios would flood the market with musicals. I hope they are all as good as Rent.

3 ½ Waffles (Out Of 4)

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