Rent Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
No day but today.
This film adaptation of Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in modern day East Village New York. The story centers around Mark (Anthony Rapp) and Roger (Adam Pascal), two roommates. While a former tragedy has made Roger numb to life, Mark tries to capture it through his attempts to make a film. In the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, AIDS, and modern day life in one truly powerful story. Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Tracie Thoms, and Taye Diggs also star.
| Anthony Rapp | Mark Cohen |
| Adam Pascal | Roger Davis |
| Rosario Dawson | Mimi Marquez |
| Jesse L. Martin | Tom Collins |
| Wilson Jermaine Heredia | Angel Dumott Schunard |
| Idina Menzel | Maureen Johnson |
| Tracie Thoms | Joanne Jefferson |
| Taye Diggs | Benjamin Coffin III |
| Porscha Radcliffe | Rent Tenant |
| Stephen Payne | Homeless Squeegee Man |
| Julia Ormond | Thug |
| David Fine | Homeless Man on Range Rover |
| Chris Columbus |
7.10 out of 10 (13722 votes)
Visitor Reviews
RENT : Not Necessarily Bad, But A Hugely Disappointing Adaptation Of Great Material....
posted on 28 Aug 2009RENT This is a film which I am thrilled to have gone in with such low expectations for b/c despite it's many flaws... the film was better than I anticipated.No matter how unoriginal, and uninspired Chris Columbus' direction could be... the film still came off as professionally (if not creatively) put together. Also, no amount of boring direction was able to dilute the sheer energy that some of this music just radiates.Another main problem I was worried about was that I would constantly be bothered by the age of the actors. Well... I wasn't. Turns out by not making note of any of their ages at all, it really wasn't a factor.Although I think that it would have been more appealing to me to see more unique and new character interpretations captured on film, many of the performers really stepped up to the plate in this film. Strongest of the returning cast was probably Anthony Rapp and Idina Menzel (though Oscar buzz for these performances is absolutely over-the-top and ridiculous to me)... Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Jesse Martin were fine, but there were many moments when they started to annoy me with their constant over-the-top smiling and giddiness (I suppose it fit their characters, but the extremity of it seemed better suited for the stage)... Adam Pascal however shouldn't expect much of a film acting career, there was nothing going on there.The two best performances though came from the newbies Tracie Thoms and Rosario Dawson. Perhaps it was hearing fresh takes on the roles that made the performances seem stronger, or maybe they were just more capable performers. To me though, these two were the constant highlight.However, despite being able to entertain and surprise me... there are still a handful of faults to this film.1.) Seasons Of Love - While it worked as an opening, in the long run of the film, this number was just an obvious example of Chris Columbus not knowing how to film RENT's most famous song. I think the performer's on the stage was masked to look like an interesting choice... but it had no validation to me and just seemed like Columbus couldn't figure anything out besides shoving them on-stage and having them sing to an empty theatre (and BTW, if you are going to do this Chris, make sure half your performers aren't looking at 1 spot while the other halve's eyes are constantly moving) 2.) These characters are annoying. At many points, especially LA VIE BOHEME I started to ask myself, why should I like these characters? Yes life is hard, it's terrible the diseases and addictions affecting the lives of these friends... but in the end, what the heck entitles them to run about screaming in a restaurant the fact that they feel they don't need to pay rent or apologize for smoking weed in public and not paying for their food. Yes life's hard people... but that doesn't entitle you to rebel against everything.3.) Nothing truly interesting was done with the piece. Yes, we saw Roger's girlfriend, but did we REALLY see anything we didn't already know. I just feel like there was soooooo much more potential to ADD to the stage show through a screen transfer, and instead, it just adequately represents the same show that's playing every night in New York... there just wasn't enough to make it truly interesting or important.4.) A film that has many important messages about drugs, sexuality, acceptance, disease, and living in NYC was allowed to become little more than a story of a few friends who just really love each other... and none of the important messages where given prominence.Overall, the film surprised me with how fluffy and harmlessly enjoyable it is. But at the same time, I couldn't help feeling that RENT should have never been a harmlessly enjoyable film... it could have been so much more. And that is the biggest disappointment for me.... C ...
One amazing message
posted on 27 Aug 2009Truly the best musical and now film. The message delivered is incredible - it gets me through everyday. It is motivational, moving, and incredibly powerful. The special features are tremendous, as there is a full length documentary on Jonathan Larsen. A must have - you will watch it again and again and again!
Insulting, inhuman, and awful
posted on 26 Aug 2009After seeing "Rent" I left the Loews theater with feelings of disappointment and regret; but as the film admonishes its audience to "forget regret," I found it fulfilling and ideologically consistent with the movie to switch to anger and resentment.In spite of the lack of satisfaction, I did learn several things from Rent:1. One needn't actually produce a work of Art (tm 2005, Rent Corporation) to be an Artist. Since all Life outside the Mainstream (tm) is Art, one need only record it (the medium and technique are irrelevant) and display it to have successfully avoided Selling Out.2. Being Creative is better than being in the Mainstream, and the two are in fact mutually exclusive. Keeping It Real doesn't refer to the Mainstream.3. Those in the Mainstream have surrendered Principle for a living death (because anything outside La Vie Boheme (tm) isn't living at all).4. Intensity of emotion trumps its direction, effects, or meaning.5. One needn't care enough about someone to change dangerous and/or hurtful behavior in any way, as long as one is Living outside the Mainstream; the resulting effervescence of Creative Love will redeem you in spite of illness, poverty, and their impact on your loved ones.6. Your loved ones would rather love you Super-Intensely for a period of months than love you In The Mainstream for a lifetime; your impending sickness and death will enable further heights of emotion, creating an unending spiral cycle of Intense Love for generations to come.7. It is far better to live for a short time as a Creative Archetype than to live a long time in the Mainstream as a Mere Human.8. A political protest need be neither political, nor a protest; it needn't be coherent as long as it's Creative, since those viewing the goings-on will either be In Tune or are The Living-Dead Corporate Enemy, in which case they are irredeemably evil despite their support for anyone in La Vie Boheme.9. Annoying Relatives in the Mainstream are so awful that they must be shunned, whatever value they might contribute or pain they might alleviate in La Vie Boheme; though Poverty is the main problem in La Vie Boheme, no amount of it is sufficient to warrant such extreme measures as Reliance On Family.10. Change is bad. There's no reason to change an artistically unproductive life, especially to something in the Mainstream, because if you're living La Vie Boheme, life is Art; artistic contributions are irrelevant.11. The rest of the world does owe you a living, on your terms, whatever they are. There's nothing one need do to merit such consideration, other than living La Vie Boheme; the Mainstream exists purely to support La Vie Boheme, though despite this reliance, the Mainstream deserves only scorn, derision, and contempt.A brief summary of the characters:Angel was a free-spirited, creative, ephemeral soul with colorful, outlandish mannerisms and a buoyant outlook uniquely identical to EVERY OTHER DRAG QUEEN STEREOTYPE EVER ON CELLULOID. See Priscilla Queen of the Desert for rich counterexamples.Tom Collins was sensitive because he got beat up, smiled a lot at Angel, and is also brilliantly quirky because he stole from an ATM he re-wired, theft being so much more fulfilling than any larger sums derived from engineering jobs in the Mainstream.Roger was a soulful Bon Jovi-ish artist minus the artistry and the soul. He at least contributed the worst song of the movie to resurrect his she's-not-quite-dead-yet love.Mimi exhibited a deft and precise bikini-wax during her dance solo, and covered with sweat during her cold-turkey drug withdrawal, verged on the Fiona Apple-esquire.Maureen contributed a delightful ass-shot, the spiritual zenith of the film. At that moment I wanted to go down on my knees and pray.Joanne was a control freak - we know she was, because Maureen sang so. Somehow, despite Mainstream mannerisms and a Mainstream job, she was Bohemian, because the others wanted her to be.Mark was the geeky filmmaker who decided to eschew Structure in favor of Passion. He completed his film (made by riding around on a bike, filming things) after quitting his horrific but seductive Mainstream job (driving around in a van, filming things). Evidently, the only obstacle to completing his film was developing raw unedited footage and shoving it on a projector reel.Rent did have some good tunes and musical performances, like nice paintings afloat on a sea of lightweight bile.Some things to which the word "Rent" applies: - my soul after seeing the film - my day after seeing the film - my wallet after seeing the film - what writing "Rent" earned plenty of for the creators - what those who go see "Rent" often need to pay the old-fashioned way, in the Mainstream
Odd Movie
posted on 25 Aug 2009When I first saw the musical I was impressed with a musical that was new and wasn't Andrew Lloyd Weber. I also loved the whole mythology of the bohemian artist and the artist community that has only a limited shelf life. In this case, AIDS is killing the artist, but in other time periods, the artists eventually move away, become successful, "sell out" or just pack it up. There are only so many years you can convince yourself that poverty is romantic before you get a business degree.
I bought the CD and listened to it so often that I got sick of it. I started to notice how bad some of the songs were and how even the good ones were terribly overwrought.
Needless to say I had only an inkling of what I was getting myself in for when I saw the movie. I found that I loved the songs even more when I watched it and for only a few hours I let myself hum along to the nostalgia of youthful "rebellion" and art crowds. The songs that were great when I first saw it, still held up. The songs that weren't so great weren't in it for very long (and in some cases Chris Columbus replaced the singing with straight dialogue - which is strange but also effective).
That's not to say the movie is without faults. I'm not sure if Larson intended to depict the artier types as amateur hacks (Maureen's performance art, Roger's mediocre one song that he takes a year on, Mark's home video - these are not good artworks) or if he really believed that they were living the dream. I'm tending to think the former since his work is pretty good. The actors are too old for the roles. Rosario Dawson is not 19. The rest of the cast are in their 30s, long after it's cool to live in poverty and make bad art. The hokey slams on internet and cyberart grind the movie to a halt.
But overall, it's an enjoyable movie and a great memorial to old friends - either the ones taht died of AIDS or just the ones you knew in college and lost touch with.
awesome
posted on 22 Aug 2009i think the film was outstanding. the actors are all very convincing considering the context. i have watched the film several times and have enjoyed something new every time. i laughed, i cried, i smiled, my heart leaped and my heart ached. i think the casting was fantastic and the actors portrayed exactly what they wanted as my emotions flowed where and when they should have. I'm sure that even the most sheltered of individuals can relate to a character as someone they know or thought of knowing. I'm sure that they have been in that situation or knew someone who was. i want to thank you all for an enjoyable movie. we all need something to relate to, to cry with, to cheer with and just good old entertainment.
"Rent" Buys Audiences Hearts
posted on 21 Aug 2009"Two Thumbs Up"-Ebert and Roeper. "Must see film of the year "-Paul Clinton CNN. There is no better way to describe this masterpiece in theater and on the big screen. Jonathon Larson's intriguing story of the life of a group of Bohemian friends living in NYC in the late 80's struggling to find money to pay their rent and to find true love. Amidst their struggles, most of the characters develop AIDS, and learn along with audiences to "measure your life in love." This story is based on love and loss. The characters learn to treasure each day with the people they love because before you know it, they may no longer be with you.
Under the direction of Chris Columbus, this movie is perfectly cast and performed in a touching manner. The actors portray their roles in such a believable way that they almost become the characters. You become so attached to the performances of Mimi (Rosario Dawson), Roger (Adam Pascal), and Collins (Jesse L. Martin.) I could feel the energy and friendship of the cast right through the screen.
The phenomenal voices of the cast were coupled with a unique music score. This music was updated from show tunes to pop-rock masterpieces which fit together like a puzzle to form a story and give each character a distinct and very different personality.
I thoroughly recommend this movie. I recommend it to all people because it teaches life lessons in a fun and enjoyable manner.
Wow!Wow!Wow!Wow!Wow!
posted on 20 Aug 2009I have been waiting for this movie since last summer and it was so worth it. I fell in love with every song from this movie. But for sure La Vie Boheme, Light and Light My Candle are two of my favorites. It was so well acted and I never ever cry at movies but this one made me cry. It was just that good and it made me feel excited and sad and happy at the exact same time. I loved every second of this movie and I think that everyone should go see it. If you come out of there not liking it well then I don't know but you must be crazy. Not really I guess it's personal opinion but still. I give this movie a 10 out of 10. In my opinion best movie I have seen this year.
Worth your Saturday.
posted on 18 Aug 2009If you've seen RENT on Broadway, this movie is for you. If you haven't, you may like this too. Most is kept the same, with 3/4 of the original Broadway cast, excluding Rosario Dawson as Mimi, and Tracie Thoms as Joanne.It keeps most of the songs intact, some left out are: We're Okay, The Tune-Ups, Voicemails, and On The Street, and sometimes they are still in the movie, just spoken.This movie is heartwarming and emotional, its characters have plenty of depth, and perhaps the best part of all is that it covers and talks about openly the things that are bothering America today (and this was written in '96): Homophobia, AIDS/HIV, the homeless, being poor, etc. All of which is portrayed in catchy, sometimes, beautiful songs, and with a nice ensemble ranging from bouncy drag queens to pessimistic AIDS-infected musicians to out-of-touch filmmakers.All in all, 10/10.
One movie...glory...
posted on 18 Aug 2009How can you show 525,600 minutes in under two and a half hours? Chris Columbus shows us how and does it with style.In Columbus's rendition of Jonathan Larson's Broadway smash Rent, we are taken back to 1989 in New York City's East Village. We follow eight friends as they try to love, pay rent, and battle AIDS.The movie opens on Christmas Eve and the power has been turned off for roommates Mark (Anthony Rapp, A Beautiful Mind), a passionate filmmaker, and Roger (Adam Pascal, School of Rock), a struggling musician, along with all the other tenants. Their friend Tim (Jesse L. Collins, Law & Order) has just come home and is looking forward to spending the holidays with his friends. After being mugged, a man named Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia)takes care of him for the night. This is the beginning of what would be a very loving, caring relationship, considering they are both HIV+.There are four other main characters introduced. There's the junkie, dancer Mimi (Rosario Dawson, Sin City), Benny (Taye Diggs, Chicago) a former tenant who married money and is now the landlord of Mark and Roger's building trying to make a studio. Then there is Maureen (Idina Mendel) who used to go out with Mark but is now, to everyone's surprise, dating Joanne (Tracie Thoms).That night when Mark goes out, Mimi comes upstairs to ask Roger for a "light" for her candle, singing "Light my candle". Intentionally blowing it out every so often just to stay a little bit longer with him. She is obviously attracted to him, but there is something that tells Roger he shouldn't mess with her. Maybe it is her drug habit, or maybe it is something Roger can't tell her.The next day, Christmas, Angel brings back Tom and is introduced to Mark and Roger. Mark then gets a call from Maureen who needs help with setting up her stage for her next performance at the lot. He has to summon up some courage to face Joanne. The ensuing song is about Maureen's deception and her lies, "The Maureen Tango". Still, Joanne won't give into her tricks.As the story unfolds, the group comes together to Maureen's performance and later break out into a captivating song and dance number, "La Vie Boheme", a song much like "We didn't star the fire". Roger and Mimi confess their love for each other singing "I should tell you", a nice duet in the snow covered back alley.The movie is chalk-full of wonderfully choreographed dance numbers and vocals that would make the Three Tenors quiver. Columbus brings back almost the entire cast with the exception of Dawson and Thoms, replacing Daphne Rubin-Vega and Fredi Walker respectively. The movie itself is a portal to a time when AIDS was gaining more and more attention with the death tole rising. One song in particular, "Will I?", sums up the emotions felt by all who have contracted the HIV and AIDS virus.Rent is surprisingly excellent. The cast does a phenomenal job of taking their love for the stage to the big screen. The music is astounding with lyrics that couldn't have been written better. It's not easy taking a musical from the stage to film, but Columbus obviously did his homework and created a fantastic piece of cinema. This year's Rent will be payed in full.
Let the music play
posted on 11 Aug 2009I brought this DVD for my daugther and she loved it! She had seen Rent about a million times and buying it for her was a great gift! We have seen it together a few times and I find that we break out in lines or songs from this movie at radom. I love it too!!!
Thank you!
posted on 10 Aug 2009I don't see how there could have been a better transition from stage to film. First of all, the fact that most of the original performers are in the film version made a huge difference. These are the people we have grown to love from the stage and original cast recording. This was the absolute best idea.Personally, I think I still like the stage version better, maybe because there seemed to be more raw energy, but then again... how much of that constant stage energy can really be caught on film? Part of the energy comes from the audience applause and 'participation' in the stage version. It felt kind of empty when an emotional song ended, and there was no applause (well maybe a little, but not like when experiencing it live on stage).Definitely some of the intricate plot subtleties were explained very well in the movie (unlike the stage version, where knowing the plot ahead of time helped a little). Many of the scenes were very very powerful. However, a few fell flat, and didn't have the emotion I was used to from before -- but again, that is not a fault of the actors or director, but just the nature of bringing an opera to film. Actually now it is not an opera, since many of the lines sung in the score are now spoken on film. Not a bad thing -- it just caught me off guard at first. Now it is more of a musical than an opera.Also very pleased to see that the audience (almost full-house, in suburbia no less!) reacted positively to the diversity of the relationships.In summary, I'd give the stage version a 10, and the movie version an 8, but the adaptation and performances of the actors as being a 10+++! Thanks to you all.... No Day But Today!
best movie i have ever seen.. honestly
posted on 10 Aug 2009the most wonderful movie i have ever seen, i cant explain the feeling i had it was just spectacular. i don't want to give anything away, but i recommend everyone goes to see it as it is the best i have seen in so long. the movie deals with very intense issues which are good to be touched upon. I did not see the play, but i heard from different people that had. some thought that it did not do justice only because the play is so amazing. a movie cant capture what a play can so it makes sense. some who had seen it thought it was amazing too so Generally i say there are no excuses to not see it! during some of the songs i was on the edge of my seat simply because it was so amazing. at the end i for sure teared up because of all the messages being sent through the film. perfect 10 stars I loved it and everyone really really NEEDS to see it! not for the very conservative i would say, but some of my friends who are still loved it so try it!
Very good adaptation. A bit of heavy-handedness prevents perfection.
posted on 10 Aug 2009This film was very good. It would have been better if they had gone with Baz Luhrmann as the director instead of Chris Columbus. A LOT better. Baz would have known how to advance the plot without resorting to typical heavy-handed Hollywood-hit-em-over-the-head-until-they-get-it montage sequences. It is this heavy handedness that makes me give it an 8 instead of a 10...The makers of this film had a hard job. They needed to take an excellent, but very New York and artist oriented story, and make a film which would appeal to the masses of middle and southern America (USA).. masses which cower in fear and disgust at the mere mention of sex and drugs... Sorry guys, it is not possible. The easier you make it for them to digest, the less you tell the story you came to tell. It is more than a little ironic to compromise artistic integrity in telling a story which is more than a little bit about being yourself and NOT compromising your integrity. The story was already somewhat reduced to stereotypes in the making of the show.. and did not benefit from further simplification. However, my complaints are limited to just a few aspects of the film. It could have been a lot worse.End of the day the theme of the story is universal and should not have to be manipulated to appeal to one segment or another.All that said, the great performances and music in the film save it and make it into an excellent adaptation despite these directorial flaws. The book was very well handled as was the music, with great arrangements. The music was well worked into the story. Some music from the show was cut or made into dialog. But it was done very tastefully. The photography was excellent as was all the stagecraft and lighting. Some of the shots again were a bit obvious, formulaic and manipulative, I don't know whether the director or DP should take the blame for this. Other shots were very funny and creative, and overall it was good. So I think I'll blame the director...I was well acquainted with the story before seeing the film. I have seen the show (once) and have the CDs (listened to many times)... and still got a bit teary at times in the film. Which shows the power of this story and the performances. 'Nuff Said.Personally I enjoyed the film immensely, and think most people would enjoy it. Great date flick, though maybe not for a first date.On the other hand if you have an extreme hatred of musicals or feel disgust at the mere thought of homosexuality or drug use, you might have a problem with this film. In which case maybe you should see it anyway, maybe you'll learn something...
Unbelievably enjoyable, better than the stage production!
posted on 08 Aug 2009I have seen RENT on Broadway and on tour 17 times. I saw it with the original cast, as well as with the many replacements that have come and gone through the years. I didn't think that the silver screen would do it justice, and I was pleasantly surprised. I acquired tix to the prescreening in my hometown, and was joined by an artsy crowd of theater majors, theater fanatics, first timers and the reviewing press. From opening note to final credits, the movie rocked the house. The crowd joined in on several occasions, from singing the beloved 'Seasons of Love' to mooing at Maureen's command. The movie version stays true to the feel of live theater, as the sets, though largely shot on location, maintain the lighting and staging that you would see in a Broadway production. There are certain elements that are more effective on screen, as bigger budgets, special effects wizardry and multiple takes allow for "perfection", but even still, the production didn't feel overdone. I was thrilled to see many of the Broadway cast in the movie, and was equally pleased at the performance of Rosario Dawson. Taye Digg's performance fell flat for me, but it didn't hurt the final product. BRAVO!!!
I loved it!
posted on 08 Aug 2009I have seen the play three times and was anxious for this movie to come out. My "rent-head" buddies were a bit skeptical, because of how other plays have been butchered when they were made into a film, but it was fabulous! The singing was fantastic. There were some scenes not in the play, but duh! It brought a lot of the scenes from the play together. It made me appreciate the play for all it could do on a stage, but it made this the New York of RENT. The singing was fantastic. It made me want to get up out of my seat and sing along. Rosario Dawson was a perfect Mimi. She just grabbed that role and made it her. Totally fantastic. I would see it again,and again.
Don't listen to him!!
posted on 05 Aug 2009If you're a true fan of musicals, there is no possible way to hate this movie. It is great. So what if it doesn't make sense to someone? The music is very catchy and I never get bored of it. I think it was a very good movie and there's no reason why you shouldn't purchase it. End of story!
Unbelievable how good it is
posted on 04 Aug 2009It isn't exactly the play (which is out of this world), but it is the next best thing. I left the theatre and I was on top of the world. The performances were better than I could have hoped for. Without a doubt, this is a movie that will last. It is simply the best thing I have seen in recent years. I know that I will be going back for more.The original Broadway show cast showed that they still have their chops and the new cast blended in perfectly. The performances were seamless. The music is of course out of this world, it is simply so good.Give yourself a holiday treat and see this film, it is a once in lifetime film.
Exception transition from Stage to Screen
posted on 02 Aug 2009Jonathon Larson left the world a gift with his brilliant musical 'Rent' and this movie, without doubt, will allow many more people to enjoy his gift and his message.The actors were exceptional - no small task for Broadway actors to seamlessly make the transition from stage to screen. Kudos to the Casting Agents for keeping the originals! Rosario Dawson and Tracy Thoms were also an incredible fit with the original cast.I laughed out loud and I sobbed with the raw emotion.Very cool to see scenes take shape on the screen that you could never even hope to accomplish in the same way on stage.I went with a large group of 'theatre' people and we left drained and exhilarated at the same time.Terrific movie - best I've seen in a long time. I'll buy this movie the second it hits DVD - and I'll watch it AGAIN and AGAIN!!
Haunting...and tremendous
posted on 31 Aug 2009Thank goodness Rent made it to the big screen. I hadn't been fortunate enough to see it until now. I will be the first to say that because of the subject matter (it is about a bohemian lifestyle, after all so what does one expect?) it's not for everyone. I would classify myself as fairly conservative -- conservative values, Christian, etc. and again, I classify Rent as an outstanding work. I cared about these characters without judgment and condemnation and challenge others who would avoid this movie because of the subject matter to be open-minded to the human beings (regardless of whether or not you agree with lifestyles, etc.). It has the potential to change your life, and increase your compassion toward others. That may sound a bit melodramatic, but it is true.
OK...off my soap box.
What a thrill it is for me to see this Broadway cast portray their very same roles on the big screen. The soundtrack is incredible (which I purchased after seeing the movie in the theater) as well. And be sure you don't miss thie extras as the deleted scenes (and alternate ending) are gems, but the true bonus is the 2-hour documentary about Jonathan Larson's life and the story of Rent. It's inspiring and heartbreaking. We can only imagine what else Jonathan would have gifted us with had he lived. Thank you Jonathan Larson!