Rent (2005)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

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 | New York City | Love | AIDS

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:

Chris Columbus's daughter, along with Jonathan Larson's nephew Matt, appear in a flashback scene where Roger plays at a club. The scene is not in the movie, but you can see them in the "seasons of love" teaser.

Goofs:

Continuity: Before "La Vie Boheme", when the characters meet up outside, Maureen and Angel go to hug, yet when the shot is taken back from afar, Mimi appears to hug Maureen and Angel stands there with arms crossed.

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 It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Soundtrack:

Take Me or Leave Me

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!