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FILM DETAILS

Certificate 12A

Cast Rosario Dawson Jesse L Martin Taye Diggs.

Directors Chris Columbus.

Screenwriters Steve Chbosky.

Running Time 135 minutes

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Rent
Rosario Dawson stars in this adaptation of the Broadway musical.

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Plot
Struggling artists in New York’s East Village unite against former friend-turned-yuppie landlord Benny (Diggs). Philosopher Collins (Martin) meets soulmate drag queen Angel (Heredia), filmmaker Mark (Anthony Rapp) loses Maureen (Idina Menzel) to another woman (Tracie Thoms), and Roger (Adam Pascal) falls for junkie dancer Mimi (Dawson).

Review

Cards on the table: rock operas pretty much suck except for Tommy, which knows it’s mad. It’s the sung dialogue between proper songs that does us in. In classical opera they get away with it — it’s melodic, it rhymes, and it’s preferably in a foreign language. But when a contemporary character tra-las, “You promised you’d be cool!” or, “Have you got a light?”, the word that comes to mind is ‘ick’.

Inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème (impoverished Parisian artists with tuberculosis), this landmark Broadway musical (impoverished Manhattan artists with AIDS) won every award going, including multiple Tonys and the coveted Pulitzer Prize. Adding to its legend, Rent’s author, composer and lyricist, Jonathan Larson, died on the eve of previews, a loss that intensely bonded its cast as the tightly-knit friends and lovers sharing poverty, passion, eviction, addiction, performance art, illness and a rent strike over the course of one year (the show opened in 1996 but is set firmly in 1989).

Most of that cast have been reunited for the film, most famously Diggs (whose role is unfortunately the briefest) and Martin (Law & Order’s Detective Green), with excellent new recruits Dawson as tragic Mimi and Thoms as lesbian lawyer Joanne. While this makes a Rent buff’s heaven-sent souvenir of record (it’s a rare chance, for example, to enjoy the supercharged vocalising of Diggs’ wife Idina Menzel, a big star on Broadway), the downside is that the Fame-like vivacity — dancing atop tables and through traffic features — is a tad incongruous since the cast are nearly all closer to 40 than 18.

Columbus’ direction and the adaptation from intimate grunge musical theatre to screen spectacle comes out a curate’s egg: every time a set-piece number lifts proceedings — Dawson’s sizzling Out Tonight, Martin’s moving, gospel-flavoured lament at a funeral — the mood immediately crumbles with a toe-curling interlude.

By the time it reaches its big emotional climax, Mimi’s laboured breathing invites giggles in the stalls. The production also suffers from ‘Hair syndrome’; it comes to the screen far too late to capitalise on its fame for originality and impact. Producers were unable to secure film finance for nearly a decade, during which time elements like the gay pride and AIDS support group themes have been, done and moved on.

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Average user rating for Rent

Rent is INCREDIBLE

Maybe people who don't like it haven't seen the original musical which BY THE WAY is very successful. So the movie isn't to everyone's taste which is fine. I am generally a fan of musicals but I don't love them all, Rent however is truly inspiring. The emotional message is touching and is displayed in a completely appropriate way. This film also filled with comedy to take away from the tragic message of the movie. The songs are straight from the musical but have been adapted well to fit. The act... More

Posted by MusicalMovieFan at 10:27, 23 June 2011 | Report This Post

Such a Powerful story!

A story of life, death and everything in between. a group of artistic friends struggle with the life they have been dealt with, but there love and friendship for each other shows no boundaries. They fight through poverty, drug addiction and Aids and still remain, albeit there ups and downs, a close nit family. I had seen the theatre adaptation of this film before and loved it but it just didn't do justice to the story as the film did. Fantastic songs with amazing singers to portray the emotio... More

Posted by zedphelan at 10:00, 14 August 2010 | Report This Post

Rent is not only a terrible adaption of the stage show, it's an offense to the memory of its late composer. The stage show was entirely about the life of the artist, and the sacrifices that that entails, and was within this, absolutely true to its own spirit. Whilst imperfectly written in places, it rode on a wave on naked exuberance and unbridled energy; wherein the contribution of the artists as actors is every bit is am important as their presentation of the parts they portray. Columubus's... More

Posted by Rascal at 22:50, 16 May 2006 | Report This Post

Rent

Being a big fan of the rock opera medium, particularly Jesus Christ Superstar and Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds I was expecting good things from this film. Apart from the title track, though, I found every other musical number bland and uninspiring - much like the characters. It's not often I refuse to see a film through to the bitter end, no matter how bad; I made an exception for this one. ... More

Posted by badsanta at 04:24, 15 May 2006 | Report This Post

RE: Rent

Its a shame that Rent hasnt been publicised more, as i loved it. In the Warners cinema in Bristol there were only 4 people on saturday evening watching it, which doesnt bode well at all. Especially as it was released 6 months ago in the States and is already available on dvd.   However, the actors perform well (most of them are the originals from the stage production 10 yrs ago), although you dont really believe that they are still supposed to be in their early 20s! Great songs th... More

Posted by Desleader at 16:49, 11 April 2006 | Report This Post

Rent

Rent is a truly good film, it seems unfair to simply class it as a two star simply on the prediction that it will not do well at the box office. The storyline of rent is one that is emotionally drawing and the film builds on the characters more than the stage show to a positive end. Admittedly there are drawbacks to this movie including Chris Columbus' sometimes bland directing. However it is certainly worth the hunt to find a cinema that is actually screening it. ... More

Posted by davelipscombe at 15:20, 11 April 2006 | Report This Post

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