'Rent' rocks the big screen

Miko Calivo

Associate Editor

Jonathan Larson, creator of Rent, probably never envisioned the longevity of his musical. Based off of Puccini's La Boheme, Larson modernized that tale and drafted a story set in bohemian New York City. The characters in Rent deal with AIDS, as opposed to tuberculosis in Puccini's story. Larson, who never lived to see Rent debut on Broadway (he died the night before the show's first preview performance) could never have imagined that nine years after it was brought to life that the musical would transpire to film.

Director Christopher Columbus, whose recent films include the first two Harry Potter movies, helmed the project that reunited the original cast sans two performers. Bringing musicals to the big screen hasn't been seen in decades. Yet, after the release and success of Chicago was there a new surge to bring the Broadway darlings to life in theaters around the world. Columbus took on the insurmountable task of creating a movie-going experience to satisfy diehard Rent fans and intrigue new viewers to become a part of a musical renaissance.

Columbus captures many wonderful moments on screen but sometimes has the actors singing to an invisible audience as they walk the streets of New York City, an awkward display of behavior for regular human beings. Musicals are designed to have actors burst into song for a reason and yet act as if it is nothing out the ordinary. No matter how many times I may sing in my car or in the shower, I am not performing. The same should have transpired onscreen with the cast.

Of course, the eloquent performance designed for "Tango: Maureen" is perhaps one of the best scenes of the entire film. Beautifully captured on the screen is a tango routine that would put Dancing with the Stars to shame. Columbus and his design team had the right idea for this number. Bravo.

I'm not sure there is a way to describe the cast other than amazing. No stranger to the material, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin, and Wilson Jermaine Heredia are and will always be the original cast of Rent, on stage and now on film. Their performances are refreshing and satisfying. Of the original cast, Martin will always be the strongest performer, especially during I'll Cover You (reprise).

New to the cast are Rosario Dawson (Sin City) and Tracie Thoms (TV's now defunt Wonderfalls). Thoms deserves a standing ovation as the breakout performer of the show. Every rendition of every song she lends her voice to contains heart and soul. She is a sparkling performer.

It is hard not to like this film. Rent is an inspiring motion picture event that should not be missed. Period.