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Adapted from the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, the film version of "Rent" has its problems. Chief among them is, no matter how much director Chris Columbus ("Home Alone," the first two Harry Potter movies) tries to open the stage-bound production up, the audience can’t help wishing it had seen it onstage first. Despite its shortcomings, the film still has an infectious energy and some really neat musical numbers.
Loosely based on Puccini’s timeless opera "La Boheme," "Rent" takes place during a year in the life of a group of bohemians in New York’s East Village – hence the opera’s title – from 1989 to 1990. The friends are, in no particular order, Mark (Anthony Rapp), an aspiring filmmaker; Roger (Adam Pascal), an HIV-positive musician ex-junkie; Mimi (Rosario Dawson), an HIV-positive stripper and junkie; Tom (Jesse L. Martin), an HIV-positive college professor; Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia), an HIV-positive drag queen; Maureen (Idina Menzel), a bisexual performance artist; Joanne (Tracie Thoms), a lesbian lawyer; and Benjamin (Taye Diggs), a former member of the group turned corporate shill.
Although in 2005 all of this might seem blasé, in 1996 the thought of a Broadway musical featuring gay and bisexual main characters, several of whom are HIV positive, was quite daring. In that sense, it’s impossible to duplicate what initially drew many to the show (which is still on Broadway). Of course, a big factor in one’s enjoyment of the movie is whether or not you like the music, which is mostly pop rock with hints of Latin, gospel and others. All of the musical numbers are handled well and make the best of the New York locations. It doesn’t hurt six of the original cast members (Diggs, Menzel, Martin, Heredia, Pascal, and Rapp) are on board.
In this case, though, the sword has two edges. Between the musical numbers, one gets the feeling the aforementioned original cast members still think they’re on stage. With the exception of Heredia, who won a Tony, the performances seem stiff and overstated. Dawson and Thoms, who were not in the original cast, bring humanity to their roles most of the others have trouble conveying.
Despite the flaws, there is a definite message that gets through loud and clear: We only have one life, so we better live it for all it’s worth.
Rent
PG-13
At the Ritz East
Two and a half out of four
Recommended Rental
Fantastic Four
PG-13
Available Tuesday
Based on the Marvel Comic, "The Fantastic Four" was a not-so-surprising box office hit last summer, grossing more than $300 million worldwide. In the film, directed by Tim Story ("Barbershop"), a group of astronauts get superpowers when they are infused by cosmic rays during an experimental space voyage. Together, they unite to foil the evil plans of Dr. Von Doom (Julian McMahon).
