I just got back from seeing this movie. I absolutely loved it. Taye Diggs wife Idina Menzel stole the show. I know purists will probably not like it. I didn't go see the Broadway show.


M

i so wanna see this movie when i get a break from school

altho, i too haven't seen the play, wish i got the chance to

I saw it last week. LOVED IT. "Rent" is special to me, not only because it's brilliant, but because it made Broadway cool again. This film was a long-time coming. Rosario Dawson was the one who had me the most worried. I think she did a wonderful job. She is a good (if not spectacular) singer and certainly a comfortable fit in the cast and makes a way-hot stripper. She really surprised me.

What is spectacular (4 me anyway) were the performances from Jesse L. Martin, Tracie Thoms and Anthony Rapp, whose performance I think surpasses his original Broadway portrayal. Idina Menzel (she looks weird not being green anymore), kicked some serious a**.

As with any film adaptation of a Broadway musical, you don't wanna scare the straights too much, so there were some liberties taken with the story. Some songs appear out of order (which just fucks with your head when you've had the entire original score committed to memory for the last decade) Also, exchanges between the characters that were sung in the stage version are now spoken. The text has not changed, but it can seem a bit silly when they start talking in verse. Kinda like a dirty Dr. Suess.

It's a fully-fleshed out story in the film. It's hard to screw up this show and I'm happy that this movie delivered. Go see it if you're a fan cause you'll love that they did right by our show. and if not, still go see it and understand that this show was a turning point in theatre that made way for a lot of great recent shows that followed.

So , in closing, yeah, um..."Rent" good...

I just got back from seeing it also. IT was GREAT. I too was pleasantly surprised by Rosario Dawson, she really pulled it off. I have not seen the show on Broadway but I do have the soundtrack of the show so I know the songs and the dialogue.

to chris columbus for staying true to the dream.

I loved La Vie Boheme!!! and Tango Maureen.

they plugged holes that were in my vision of the show, fleshed it out quite a bit.

Of course there was a point in the movie where I started crying and then just kept on crying But again I loved it
ditto "Rent Good"

I'll be seeing this again tomorrow

I can't wait to see this one!!!!

I think I'll stuff myself with turkey and then go check it out.

had a really interesting experience...

we went and saw the play at 8, and then the movie at 12...

LOVED the movie... suprisingly, more than the play. it still has it's flaws - for instance, i HATE the ending, but the cast was spot on, and they made some really REALLY good changes.

Miguel, what movie should I rent??

abierman said:

I finally rented MOTORCYCLE DIARIES. What a wonderful movie!!!!!


M

abierman said:

I've got one in mind!

I saw it last nigt and loved it. I was worried though. I'm not a big fan of musicals but RENT has always had a special place in my heart. I saw it in theatre packed with teenagers and they were so rowdy before the movie that I thought they were going to ruin it for me. But, they actually made it a lot of fun. They cheered, and laughed and clapped along to the musical numbers, especially "LA VIE BOHEME (sp?)" and at the end there was not a dry eye in the house.

I've seen the broadway show three times but never with the original cast and man was this sweet. Rosario Dawson was awesome but Jesse L. Martin stole the show for me. In fact, the entire time I kept thinking how incredible, sexy, handsome and fantastic presence this man has. I have a little crush now...

CynthiasSocks said:

tell me, I've already seen 'Backdoor Love Affairs'.....

Oh you know I will be at that show.

I heard that it is a great movie and I can't wait to see it.

I want to see my fav Tracie THoms and they said she can sing her ass out.

So I'm the only one who had a problem with Mimi's miraculous recovery?

TheSmyrk said:

no.

it's always been the one part of the show i hate, as it is very cheesy. unfortunately, johnathan larson, who wrote the show died the night it went into previews rather unexpectedly, and because of it being his singular vision, no one will alter the ending.

i honestly believe he would have fixed the ending and other flaws in the show in previews, but i do respect the refusing to change anything out of solidarity and loyalness to the writer and his vision.

cborgman said:

From The Book "Rent: No Day But Today"

Giles Chiasson (Original Broadway Cast Member): "Jonathan and I had a whole discussion about why Mimi didn't die. He was adamant. He said "It's a play about life, not about death"

npgmaverick said:

Once again, why kill Angel then? I liked Angel.

cborgman said:

Interesting. Yes, I hated that too. Especially how cheesy it is. Seeing the white light and all...

As for the movie, I really didn't like Maureen's performance art piece. It too, was incredibly cheesy. In fact, I just didn't like Maureen as a character, I suppose. And I didn't like the actor who did Roger. lol. There's a lot I didn't like, I guess.

CarrieMpls said:

Yeah, that's the other part I booed. But, she's a classic example of the difference between bein artsy and bein an artist. People relate to artists. Artsy people look down on you when you "don't get it." If I was Benny, I'da been like, "Trick, shut your mooin ass up!"

the performance of Leap of Faith is stronger on the Original Broadway Soundtrack, but I love the character Maureen, I guess because I know women like that.
[Edited 11/28/05 7:49am]

Saw the film with my girlfriend yesterday. I was a newbie, but she knew all the songs. My best friend has loved Rent for YEARS. I'm talking to her about it right now. She's seen it onstage three times.

So, I've had to apologize to her, because I liked it. I liked it a lot.