How Do You Measure, Measure A Year?

Author's Rating:

Pros: GREAT soundtrack, original players, uplifting

Cons: A little rushed during the 2nd half

The Bottom Line: 
Pick this one up. Its a must have for any DVD collection simply because of its history making potential and fantastic music!

Author's Review
Tomorrow, Rent comes out on DVD. Can I just say that I am chomping at the BIT to get my grubby little mits on my own copy of Rent!

I had the pleasure of seeing this film the first night it came out in theatres. The theatre was empty, which actually thrilled me because if I had the prompting to break out into spontaneous song, I wouldn't disturb anyone!

For those who are unfamiliar with the premise of Rent, let me do a quick rundown. Rent follows a group of friends (Mark, Roger, Tom Collins, Angel, Mimi, Maureen, Joanne, and Bennie) through the year 1989 in Bohemian New York. The movie opens with a dark stage, offset with placed spotlights on the eight protagonists. They launch into "Seasons of Love", probably the most popular song from the show. It gives you absolute GOOSEBUMPS, especially when Traci Thoms (Joanne) launches into her solo.
Right off the bat you realize the director (Christopher Columbus) has deviated from the original stage show, but as soon as "Rent" (the song) begins, you forget about that. As much flack as this movie has taken, I feel Columbus did a great service to the original. For one, he brought back the original cast from Broadway, save for two actors (Thoms and Rosario Dawson as Mimi). I have to say Traci Thoms as Joanne KICKS proverbial behind. Her voice is breathtaking. The one weak link seems to be Dawson as Mimi, but I was actually pleasantly surprised at her singing chops.

The plot simply follows a "year in the life". Roger and Mark, roommates, are being evicted from their loft by their former roommate Bennie. Bennie has married "up" and is now a wealthy landlord. He has "sold out", as far as his friends are concerned. Mark's ex-girlfriend Maureen is now a lesbian, and is seeing lawyer Joanne. They fight like cats and dogs throughout the film, but anyone can see the love there is true and real. Tom Collins was a former MIT professor, expelled from his position for promoting his Anarchist views. His first night into town he is jumped by a gang of ruffians and taken under the wing of cross dressing street performer Angel. They fall in love, deeply. We are then introduced to Mark and Roger's neighbor Mimi, an AIDS infected, heroin addicted stripper, who falls for Roger. Roger, who also has AIDS, is uncomfortable with the idea of love again, as he lost his first love April to suicide after she revealed they both had the HIV virus. All these intertwining stories play out through song and dance beautifully.

One of the most touching scenes of the first part is the Aids support group. The soloist for "Life Support" is actually the same actor who played one of the "Bash Brothers" in the Mighty Ducks! Can I just say from a female point of view, boy does HE clean up nice.

Another great mention is Idina Menzel's performance of "Over the Moon", which was performed live for the movie rather than dubbed. It was Oscar calibur, to say the least. She is truly a talent.

The second half of the movie opens on my personal favorite song, "La Vie Boheme Part I". Anthony Rapp, he of such gems as "Road Trip" and "Dazed and Confused" puts in a performance you can't take your eyes off of. It gets you excited, and if anything, you want to run right out and buy the soundtrack.

It is here where things get a bit rushed. A few songs are cut completely ("Halloween" and the 2nd part of "Goodbye Love"), but I heard they can be found in all their glory on the DVD. Of course, this is a movie..not the stage show, so three to four hours of singing and dancing would have been a bit much.

The best part of the movie, for me, is the character Tom Collins' rendition of "I'll Cover You" during the second half of the film. With Joanne chiming in and the rest of the cast reprising "Seasons of Love" behind him, it's absolutely AMAZING to say the least.

Say what you will, this is a talented bunch. I believe, even with the obvious changes, they did well by the original show. Themes of love, addiction, poverty, art, homosexuality, and friendship play out well. You may want to limit viewers to ages 12 and over, simply because of some sensitive subjects, but truthfully this isn't anything you wouldn't see on your average viewing of Law and Order.

I believe Rent was overlooked during its theatrical debut simply because it was up against Harry Potter. I'm hoping it will see a resurgence of popularity via DVD.

Get this movie, ignore the naysayers. This is a nice snapshot of American history. Rent was one of the most successful musicals in history, and the way it has been put to the big screen is phenomenal.
You won't be disappointed!