This movie's so Gay...

(movie cast and original broadway cast 10 years ago, mostly the same)

The Rent Broadway cast soundtrack was given to me by my parents Christmas of 1997. I knew nothing about this musical. I didnt even play it right away. Sometime during my Christmas School break I did eventualy listen to it and I liked it. Not loved it but liked it. I introduced the cd to my girlfreind at the time who loved it right off the bat. She brought a copy of it to our performing arts class the first day back from break. She than introduced the cd to everyone and made copy's for everyone ( she did have a burner back than). Everyone from that point listened to it and sang it non stop which started to drive me crazy. Than that year for my birthday all my freinds pitched in and got me tickets to go see Rent in Boston, thats where my love for Rent started to grow. Sitting in Bostons Schubert theater and seeing all the songs come to life through amazing performances. That following year I went to college where the love for Rent quickly died in replace of other musicals. That is until I met a die hard Rent head who got me into it again. Not only did he get me re-hooked but he got me a very minor part in the U-Mass Lowell
production of the musical. He and I sort of became partners and started a radio show on the universitys radio station where we would talk about musicals, movies, politics and of course Rent. Now after being a part of a production of Rent I got sick of it again, that is until this year. When I heard Rent was being made into a movie with mediocre director Chris Columbus at the helm I was a little nervous. Than after hearing rumours of names like Whitney Houston being attached to the project I got more nervous. Than the final word came that Chris Columbus got the original broadway cast to reprise there roles from 10 years earlier, the excitement took over. For me it doesnt matter who directs it. The fact that he got people who brought it to life originally on stage in the film is incredibly respectful. Especially since studios took a huge risk with Chicago a few years ago, luckily it worked. Last years Phantom of the Opera was a joke and now there making Guys and Dolls with Eddie Murphy and Beyonce...Come on.

Quick back story for Rent, now pay attention. Mark(a filmmaker) Roger(a song writer),Tom Collins, Maureen (Marks than girlfriend), and Benny all used to be roommates in a loft in alphabet city New York city. Already that’s a lot. OK Collins left to teach at MIT. Benny left and married the daughter of “the man” who owns most of the buildings in alphabet city, now Bennys there landlord. Maureen dumped Mark and moved out to have a relationship with Joanne( a lawyer). That’s the back story now heres the movie/musical. Mark wants to make a movie about hard times in NY. Roger was just left a suicide note by his girlfriend April saying that they both have aids than she slit her wrists in the bathroom. Rogers goal is to write one great song before he dies. Collins shows up to visit his old roommates but gets brutally mugged and is left for dead. After the mugging Collins meets a transvestite named Angel who comes to his aid. Angel helps his wounds than invites him to a a life support meeting, Collins mentions he has aids too. It’s safe to say that a relationship sprouts. Mimi is an HIV positive stripper who lives below Roger and Mark. After Benny shows up giving Mark and Roger an ultimatum. Cancel Marueens protest show, shes protesting the way alphabet city is being treated by their landlords which is weird cause no one pays rent anwyays, and Mark and Roger can live Rent free. Once Benny leaves Mimi pays Roger a visit, they find out there both HIV positive (coincidence) and there relationship blooms.

Rent is a story best shown on stage as opposed to the big screen. The lyrics are cheesy,"Were not gonna pay last years rent, this years rent, nest years rent, rent rent rent rent rent, were not gonna pay rent",and the story is kind of dated. Back in 1996 It was still a little groundbreaking to see two guys or girls make out and pursue a relationship on stage or screen, now just turn on NBC. In 1996 it was also new to have a story about people with aids on stage. People were still afraid of aids in 96, today aids is remembered about as well as 9/11.

So tonight I saw Rent on the Big Screen and let me just say the performances were fine. Rosario Dawson is the only real newcomer to Rent and she wasnt horrible, not great but not bad. The movie almost made me cry, not for story reasons but because it was just great to see it again. It was like being in high school again. Watching it kind of gave me a feeling that i forgot to study for history again. I cant say I recommend going to this movie. Im not sure that non Rent heads would enjoy it or get it. But I do recommend going to see the stage show if it ever comes to your town.

For the record I hate it when people call things so gay, my title was a joke. I hope someone laughed.