Rent (2005)

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers (WGA):

Stephen Chbosky (screenplay)
Jonathan Larson (book)

Release Date:

23 November 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Eight friends. One extraordinary year.

Plot:

This is the film version of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical about Bohemians in the East Village of New York City struggling with life, love and AIDS, and the impacts they have on America.

Plot Keywords:

Hiv Positive | Bohemian | Love | AIDS | New York City

Awards:

1 win & 17 nominations

Cast

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
Julia Roth	...	Rent Tenant
Porscha Radcliffe	...	Rent Tenant
Stephen Payne	...	Homeless Squeegee Man
Darryl Chan	...	Thug
Ken Clark	...	Thug
R.C. Ormond	...	Thug
David Fine	...	Homeless Man on Range Rover

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving drugs and sexuality, and for some strong language.

Runtime:

135 min | Philippines:138 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | UK:12A | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Finland:K-11 | Singapore:M18 | Ireland:15A | Argentina:16 | Sweden:7 | Brazil:14 | Australia:M | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 | Germany:6 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:U (DVD) | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Company:

Rent Productions LLC

Trivia:

The 16mm street scenes, which are meant to look like they were shot by Anthony Rapp's character, Mark, were really shot by Jonathan Larson's close friend, documentary filmmaker Edward Rosenstein - who was Larson's inspiration for Mark in the play in real life. (The character's name Mark comes from Eddie's middle name)

Goofs:

Continuity: During "Today for you" Mark is holding a paper cup in some shots, and in others his hands are empty.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mark, Angel, Maureen, Roger, Collins, Benjamin Coffin III, Mimi: Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee. In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes - how do you measure a year in the life? How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love... seasons of love.

Movie Connections:

References Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz Story (1992) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Tango: Maureen

uh......WOW!

Everything said in the first post is pretty much correct - except some minor points. I'm a MAJOR Musical Theater fan, but I've never been much of a 'Rent-head', (I find the story a bit pretentious and self aware - basically a modern version of "Hair") - yet the emotion and energy is real and infectious, fueled by an incredible and memorable score.

As I remember, though, both the songs "Halloween" and "Goodbye, Love" were NOT in the final cut I saw last night (11/6), but the interview with the cast and director was inspirational!

The best factor for me was that Director Columbus made a decision to shoot it AS A MUSICAL and not try to hide it's musical theater roots (like say, "Chicago"). Also, he cast many members of the original cast (a throwback to old movie musicals). These were brave and successful moves, and should finally knock down that door to MORE movie musicals.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!