Rent

 Rent 2005

• Director: Chris Columbus
• Seen by this director: Harry Potter and the Chambre of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,
• Based on the novel: no
• Cast: Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Jesse L Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Tracie Thoms, Taye Diggs
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Anthony Rapp – A Beautiful Mind, Six Degrees of Separation
• Adam Pascal – School of Rock
• Rosario Dawson – Jessica Jones
• Wilson Jermaine Heredia – Flawless
• Adam Beach – Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Smoke Signals
• Why? Came on a double DVD with Across the Universe
• Seen:  Once before. Now 25 September 2020      

       A group of young musicians, actors, filmers and other cultural workers in a NY slum struggle against eviction, drugs and AIDS. Loosely based on La Bohème it portrays poverty, illness and creativity in the form of a rock opera.

       There are echoes of Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair without coming close to their power. The story has its heart in the right place, but the acting and singing are no more than adequate. It seems too long. I remember it as better than this.

 

2 ½ * of 5