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Friday, December 02, 2005
i should tell you...
yesterday was World AIDS day, so in celebration and remembrance, i will review RENT!
i was ecstatic to find out they were doing a big-screen version of Johnathan Larson's generation-defining musical. The cast in the movie, save two, were the original Broadway cast which includes, Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel and Jesse L. Martin. The new additions are Rosario Dawson as Mimi and Tracy Thomas as Joanne.
The movie opens with the full cast singing "Seasons of Love" to an empty theatre, on a stage lit up by a few spotlights. And as soon as Tracy Thoms broke out in her solo I was getting shivers, thrilling at the sound of their voices. Like I've said before, I sometimes wish my life was a musical, so naturally I'm a huge fan of the genre. I saw the stage version in high school, with my Arts York mates when I was... 16 or 17 I guess. I really liked it, but I'm sure the story didn't really resonate with me, and I think I got caught up in the hype. But now, seeing this story again at 25, and seeing my peers essentially, it's a lot more... wonderous and heart-breaking.
The struggle to survive and the questions and decisions and consequences that battle for attention hit harder now. Their questions of how will they pay their rent, which career path to choose, am i ready to leave or do i stay, where has inspiration gone, do i let myself fall for this person, will someone care if i leave tomorrow, why can't i turn back time...? i've actually asked those questions now, but obviously not in the same context.
and it's crazy! when did the growing up start? (mind you, i still don't feel like a full-fledged grownup just yet)
RENT makes growing up seem less scary if you have the right perspective, if you're mindful of keeping true to the important things and to find beauty wherever you are-ah, bohemia =) And these bohemians can sing. Jesse L. Martin as Collins was beautiful... his range and voice were showcased with such grace.
No one can play Mark like Anthony Rapp-he is Mark.
I was v.impressed with Tracy Thoms, but less so with Idina Menzel, but only in comparison. The former's tone was warmer, soulful while the latter had a sharper edge to it. Nevertheless, these ladies can SING.
But the standout for me was Rosario Dawson, believe it or not. The original Mimi was more raw and edgy. Dawson presents a more vulnerable, sweeter Mimi... the hurt that she feels is easier to detect in her voice.
it's not the strongest film/adaptation (there's one scene that looks like scenes from a baaaad karaoke video) and Larson's songs sometimes feel a bit dated, but it's definitely worth seeing, just to feel the vibrancy of the musical, and to remind oneself of the ever-present tragedy of those infected with HIV/AIDS.
yesterday was World AIDS day, so in celebration and remembrance, i will review RENT!
i was ecstatic to find out they were doing a big-screen version of Johnathan Larson's generation-defining musical. The cast in the movie, save two, were the original Broadway cast which includes, Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel and Jesse L. Martin. The new additions are Rosario Dawson as Mimi and Tracy Thomas as Joanne.
The movie opens with the full cast singing "Seasons of Love" to an empty theatre, on a stage lit up by a few spotlights. And as soon as Tracy Thoms broke out in her solo I was getting shivers, thrilling at the sound of their voices. Like I've said before, I sometimes wish my life was a musical, so naturally I'm a huge fan of the genre. I saw the stage version in high school, with my Arts York mates when I was... 16 or 17 I guess. I really liked it, but I'm sure the story didn't really resonate with me, and I think I got caught up in the hype. But now, seeing this story again at 25, and seeing my peers essentially, it's a lot more... wonderous and heart-breaking.
The struggle to survive and the questions and decisions and consequences that battle for attention hit harder now. Their questions of how will they pay their rent, which career path to choose, am i ready to leave or do i stay, where has inspiration gone, do i let myself fall for this person, will someone care if i leave tomorrow, why can't i turn back time...? i've actually asked those questions now, but obviously not in the same context.
and it's crazy! when did the growing up start? (mind you, i still don't feel like a full-fledged grownup just yet)
RENT makes growing up seem less scary if you have the right perspective, if you're mindful of keeping true to the important things and to find beauty wherever you are-ah, bohemia =) And these bohemians can sing. Jesse L. Martin as Collins was beautiful... his range and voice were showcased with such grace.
No one can play Mark like Anthony Rapp-he is Mark.
I was v.impressed with Tracy Thoms, but less so with Idina Menzel, but only in comparison. The former's tone was warmer, soulful while the latter had a sharper edge to it. Nevertheless, these ladies can SING.
But the standout for me was Rosario Dawson, believe it or not. The original Mimi was more raw and edgy. Dawson presents a more vulnerable, sweeter Mimi... the hurt that she feels is easier to detect in her voice.
it's not the strongest film/adaptation (there's one scene that looks like scenes from a baaaad karaoke video) and Larson's songs sometimes feel a bit dated, but it's definitely worth seeing, just to feel the vibrancy of the musical, and to remind oneself of the ever-present tragedy of those infected with HIV/AIDS.
// posted by naomi @ 1:05 p.m. 
