Back Shelf Beauties
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)
Copyright 2005 - WaffleMovies.com
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