Rent

“I’m a New Yorker, fear is my life!"

It’s hard to talk about Rent without turning people off to the whole story: a story with two gay couples, a stripper, a transvestite, people with AIDS and lots of questionable morals… Based on the popular rock opera by Jonathan Larson, Rent takes on a lot. In a time when people were constantly afraid of AIDS and artists dreamed of Bohemia, how do you tell that story? When your friends are dying and the rest of the world turns a blind eye, how do you shake things up?

The story follows the lives of 8 New Yorkers for one year (Christmas to Christmas), mostly through the lens of filmmaker Mark Cohen (Rapp). At the beginning of the film Mark decides to abandon the scripts he’s written and just film life. At his side is his broody roommate Roger (Pascal), who has AIDS and is mourning the suicide of his girlfriend. Roger falls for fell AIDS victim Mimi (Dawson), a stripper with a strong drug addiction. Their ex-roommate Tom Collins (Martin), is an outspoken teacher and AIDS activist who also has AIDS. Collins lives with transvestite Angel (Heredia) who has AIDS and a heart of gold. Then there is Mark’s ex, Maureen (Menzel) a diva who left him “for a lawyer named Joanne” (Thoms). And the man who makes life a little harder for them all, ex-friend Benny (Diggs), who is now the landlord of their building.


These diverse characters bond to become a family, fight AIDS and seek the Bohemia that haunts their dreams.

The songs are strong and memorable…and while there are two gay couples in the film, that is not the main focus of the film. Don’t focus on the morals of the film, just enjoy it for what it is and let the power of the story affect you.

Rent it once: I can't get enough of this film...I even have the soundtrack, however some people may still be turned off by the morality of the film...but it is still one that should be seen.

Dude, it's quotable: the music is catchy and sinks into your very soul...check out the Broadway cast recording for the original versions of all the songs, and a few that didn't make it into the film

Rent (2005) 135 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving drugs and sexuality, and for some strong language
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Anthony Rapp as Mark
Adam Pascal as Roger
Rosario Dawson as Mimi
Wilson Jermaine Heredia as Angel
Jesse L. Martin as Collins
Idina Menzel as Maureen
Taye Diggs as Benny
Tracie Thoms as Joanne