Rent (2005)
This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in late 1980s East Village, New York, USA. The film centers around Mark and Roger, two roommates. While a tragedy has made Roger numb to new experiences, Mark begins capturing their world through his attempts to make a personal movie. In the year that follows, they and their friends deal with love, loss, and working together.
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The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.
Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
I was not into the whole singing side of things. I do agree that rent sucks. Both the rent in real life and the actual movie. I understand it was aimed at talking about everyone's painful history with drug addiction and hiv/aids however it wasn't a movie/play I could get into at all. I was completely bored for 2 and a half hours.
Writer/ Director Stephen Chbosky gets all the right notes from this acclaimed musical and deep-reaching story and lyrics. The actors and atmosphere of sadness, seduction, friendship, hardship and rebellion shine. The film medium is well used to make a remarkable adaptation, using some of the original cast. Chbosky masters the material and makes a fitting legacy.Based on the late Jonathan Larson's Broadway Musical masterpiece, this film fits well with the 2005 themes of sexual orientation and identity and deals with homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, drugs, relationships, art and bohemian lifestyle in a hard, yet enchanting way. Great music, lyrics and editing. Dark and not for everyone, it is funny with plenty of witticism and likewise endearing. Good signing and acting from a strong ensemble cast. This will have you signing and thinking for a while.
It's Christmas Eve, 1989 New York East Village. Mark Cohen (Anthony Rapp) is an aspiring documentary filmmaker. His roommate Roger Davis (Adam Pascal) was a rock star but is now withdrawn, recovering-addict, and suffering from AIDS. Their former friend Benjamin Coffin III (Taye Diggs) married rich. He is trying to evict everybody and redeveloping the building. Maureen Johnson (Idina Menzel) has dumped Mark for new girlfriend Joanne Jefferson (Tracie Thoms) and organizing a rally against the evictions. Mimi Marquez (Rosario Dawson) is a burlesque dancer who falls for Roger but he is still struggling with many issues. Transvestite Angel Dumott Schunard (Wilson Jermaine Heredia) finds Tom Collins (Jesse L. Martin) beaten up in an alley. They are both afflicted with AIDS.This is transferred from Broadway. As a musical, some of songs rock but most are forgettable. As a movie and as a story, this is kind of soapy. The characters feel very written. I see the characters rather as a take it or leave it proposition. I never got swept up in any of their stories but it is able to hold together. The actors are all solid. It is probably not my kind of material anyways.
Rent (2005): Dir: Chris Columbia / Cast: Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin: Depressing yet engaging musical about survival. Eight people are threatened with eviction yet strain to fulfill their dreams. Among them is a struggling guitarist; a drug addict exotic dancer; a filmmaker; a Santa Claus transvestite; and a cheating lesbian. Strong material sometimes overlaps subplots with an ending that may leave viewers with hope or depression. Director Chris Columbus handles the musical numbers with energy and flair. This is much different from anything he has directed including two Harry Potter outings as well as Mrs. Doubtfire and Home Alone. Broadway cast includes Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, Adam Pascal, and Anthony Rapp among others. Dawson plays the exotic dancer who is HIV positive, and Rapp plays a filmmaker under the same circumstances. Diggs plays the landlord issuing the eviction. Pascal plays a musician also with HIV and a drug habit. Jesse L. Martin plays a gay dancer who is HIV positive, and that is themed throughout the film. Outrageous dance numbers throughout within a variety of locations, which adds creativity. Disturbing themes dealing with the AIDS virus that are extremely depressing but it also champions a message that voices our vulnerable limited lifespan. Score: 8 / 10