RENT

CAROLINE’S REVIEW:

OK, I have been waiting for this movie to come out for months and I was SO not disappointed!! I was lucky enough to see an advance screening with my friend Sean who produces “Best Week Ever” for VH1. Ryan has not seen it yet but he will this weekend and I know he will agree with me.

If you love Rent the musical, you would love this movie!! OK, yes, they had to make some adjustments for the film version like cutting out some songs (most notably the Happy New Year song and all the singing answering machine messages) but all of the really great songs are fully intact and sound amazing. Rosario is no singer but she holds her own all right…and she’s a great actress. The opening number is amazing and please look for Blake (as an extra) from the show “So You Think You Can Dance,” which Ryan and I were obsessed with this summer.

Seeing some of the musical numbers take place in actual NYC locations (like “Santa Fe” on a subway car…probably a sound stage but who’s counting) is so amazing!!! Angel and Collins sing my personal favorite song, “I’ll Cover You” on the streets of NY and it’s fab. Clearly, this movie won’t be for everyone. If you hate musicals, don’t bother to see it. But if you love them and you love Rent, you will love this!!

RYAN’S REVIEW:

I have been absolutely dying to see this movie. I had actually preordered tickets for Friday; but couldn’t wait so saw it Thursday with my Dad.

I have seen the show on Broadway at least 8 times, having dated various cast members at one point or another. And though I have always loved the music and enjoyed the show, I have never been so bowled over with emotion as I was by its film interpretation. Never once in the live audience, I cried four times in the movie.

Right off the bat, I was overwhlemed by this. I had, like, constant chills. Everyone was so amazing and each creative choice was just better than I could have planned it myself. I especially loved seeing I’ll Cover You on the street in NY and Take Me or Leave Me at a country club after a lesbian commitment ceremony. The Tango Maureen was bliss.

There was something a little screwy with the sound in the theater (of course, Milwaukee, what do you expect?), but I was still completely swept up into it. I had been wary of the casting of Rosario Dawson but now can’t imagine a more perfect Mimi. There was absolute chemisty bewteen her and Adam Pascal’s Roger. And the absolute highlight had to be La Vie Boheme. Seeing that original Broadway cast together, so jubilent during that number was just incredible.

This is a movie that must not be missed. Even if you didn’t like the show, as in my father’s case, you will most likely dig this movie. Afterward, he had to talk about it. It really packs an emotional punch. Run!

I’m running back again tomorrow. 😉