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.
This 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 and Roger, 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.Written by
Alex W
Jesse L. Martin's character of Det. Green on the NBC show Law & Order (1990) was wounded in the line of duty to allow Martin to take several months off to film Rent. Martin's detective partner on Law & Order was Jerry Orbach, who was a renowned Broadway musical comedy star before his television career. Martin says Orbach gave him a lot of pointers about how to do musical comedy before he left to do this movie. See more »
Goofs
In the stage musical, the entire first act takes place on Christmas Eve, concluding with "La Vie Boheme." The film spreads the first act over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which is reflected in a few lyrical changes in Collins' intro for "Today 4 U" and "Out Tonight" which creates plot holes in the time line. Angel meets Collins the night of Christmas Eve and takes him home after the mugging, but in "Today 4 U" the next day, she sings that she met the lady in the limousine that morning, caused Evita's fall, trimmed the lady's tree, and THEN met Collins. See more »
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.
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The "Without You" montage ended with a rather emotional scene of Rosario Dawson's character, Mimi, walking along a fence crying and singing the last verse of the song. In the editing room the scene was shelved. Additionally "Goodbye, Love" another emotional scene primarily focused on Dawson was also shelved. Upon release of the film Dawson's manager and lawyer contacted Colombus about cutting 'Dawsons' most powerful scenes' and were upset on the opportunities this may have cost her. The director gave his excuse that the first scene was cut in favor of a more "storytelling" scene of Mimi with Benny and the second was cut to maintain the emotional punch of the ending. Though Dawson's representation disagreed, no further legal action pursued. "Goodbye, Love" can be viewed on the two disc CD, whereas "Without You" remains shelved. See more »
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!
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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!