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.
Set in New York City's gritty East Village, the revolutionary rock opera RENT tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling to live and pay their rent. "Measuring their lives in love,"... See full summary »
After enjoying a summer romance, high school students Danny and Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High. There Sandy must contend with cynical Rizzo and the Pink Ladies in attempt to win Danny's heart again.
In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker's daughter. The decision changes their lives forever.
Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?
Director:
Randal Kleiser
Stars:
John Travolta,
Olivia Newton-John,
Stockard Channing
A disfigured musical genius, hidden away in the Paris Opera House, terrorizes the opera company for the unwitting benefit of a young protégée whom he trains and loves.
Directors:
Nick Morris,
Laurence Connor
Stars:
Ramin Karimloo,
Sierra Boggess,
Hadley Fraser
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
After "The Tango Maureen", when Joanne is talking to Maureen on the phone, the TV screen behind Tracie Thoms showed reflections of the crew. All those shots had to be sent to ILM to remove the reflections. See more »
Goofs
The outside of the subway train the characters ride in is an R-40, yet the inside is an R-32. 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.
See more »
The two disc DVD features an alternate ending where we find the main eight cast members back on the stage singing the last number. Although the number bookends the movie very nicely, and adds a shot of Angel missing from his spotlight, which is homage to the Broadway production, the concept was scratched for the current finale. See more »
I will try to perform this review as unbiased as I can because I'm a huge Rent fan. Chris Columbus which is best known for films such as "Stepmom,""Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Home Alone" has failed in the task of bringing the very famous adaptation of the Broadway hit to the big screen. I think the problem with the film was the vision that Columbus had for it. There were just too many things missing from the musical: one obviously being some songs that kept the story moving freshly. But don't get me wrong, he did a great job on some aspects: the number one reason was not hiding the fact that this was a musical. The songs were fantastic and have always been, and on the big screen to see them redone was truly a special treat.
One other problem was the art direction; the film was shot in San Francisco and never did I feel they were in the Village, NY. Maybe seeing something familiar would keep me in the scene but I kept looking for that one landmark but couldn't locate it. The editing was very good which included lips in sync with words and songs unlike a little film called The Phantom of the Opera. So at least I felt like they were singing the entire time. But enough with the negativity, I'll name some stuff I liked.
Rosario Dawson, oh my god! Who'd thought she had in her to pull it off. Girl can sing and she got some moves. Her acting wasn't even half-bad, she was a surprise and a special treat for the film. Being one of the two unoriginal cast members placed a lot of pressure on her but she stepped up to the plate and hit a nice double. I will be expecting to see her in the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy category at the Globes. Like everyone is talking, the lead actress is so weak we could even see her getting in at Oscars but I don't think they'll allow that. Might as well just go with Zellweger at that point.
The rest of the cast is great, ranging from the very funny Idina Menzel whom I had in my supporting actress predictions for the past eight months but reviews are way too mixed for her. Menzel is an up and coming actress and we will see her at Oscars one day soon. (cough cough "Ask the Dust") Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp are great co-leads as Mark and Roger along with Tony award winner Wilson Heredia bringing in a great performance as Angel and Taye Diggs as Benny who has a great set of pipes in him. The "Rent" boys just don't have the energy nor the fire in them to go to Oscars with these misdirected performances. Tracie Thoms, the other unoriginal cast member, was a good addition but acting is a little on the flat side. We'll wait to see other stuff from her.
Well, I guess we're waiting to know who the standout is It is no less than the magnificent Jesse L. Martin who is best known as Detective Ed Green on "Law and Order." This man does not only have a great set of chords on him but he brings you deep into his world and holds you tight there. You feel everything for this man. From his fight with AIDS to his fight with death and loss, you can't help but want to just give him a hug. I'd love to see him as a nominee but I'll be realistic, that unknown name in a mediocre film just won't cut it. I'm sure he'll be a nominee of mine when my best of the year are put together.
I really wanted to love "Rent" but I couldn't keep my heart in it. There was too much standing around and not enough throwing yourself into your character. "Rent" is over 12 years old and these characters are supposed to be in the early 20s and they might not have had the early 20 flavor to grasp their characters anymore. I respect the film for what it was but if you've never seen the show you probably won't like the film that much. Musicals just aren't safe bets at Oscars anymore.
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I will try to perform this review as unbiased as I can because I'm a huge Rent fan. Chris Columbus which is best known for films such as "Stepmom,""Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Home Alone" has failed in the task of bringing the very famous adaptation of the Broadway hit to the big screen. I think the problem with the film was the vision that Columbus had for it. There were just too many things missing from the musical: one obviously being some songs that kept the story moving freshly. But don't get me wrong, he did a great job on some aspects: the number one reason was not hiding the fact that this was a musical. The songs were fantastic and have always been, and on the big screen to see them redone was truly a special treat.
One other problem was the art direction; the film was shot in San Francisco and never did I feel they were in the Village, NY. Maybe seeing something familiar would keep me in the scene but I kept looking for that one landmark but couldn't locate it. The editing was very good which included lips in sync with words and songs unlike a little film called The Phantom of the Opera. So at least I felt like they were singing the entire time. But enough with the negativity, I'll name some stuff I liked.
Rosario Dawson, oh my god! Who'd thought she had in her to pull it off. Girl can sing and she got some moves. Her acting wasn't even half-bad, she was a surprise and a special treat for the film. Being one of the two unoriginal cast members placed a lot of pressure on her but she stepped up to the plate and hit a nice double. I will be expecting to see her in the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy category at the Globes. Like everyone is talking, the lead actress is so weak we could even see her getting in at Oscars but I don't think they'll allow that. Might as well just go with Zellweger at that point.
The rest of the cast is great, ranging from the very funny Idina Menzel whom I had in my supporting actress predictions for the past eight months but reviews are way too mixed for her. Menzel is an up and coming actress and we will see her at Oscars one day soon. (cough cough "Ask the Dust") Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp are great co-leads as Mark and Roger along with Tony award winner Wilson Heredia bringing in a great performance as Angel and Taye Diggs as Benny who has a great set of pipes in him. The "Rent" boys just don't have the energy nor the fire in them to go to Oscars with these misdirected performances. Tracie Thoms, the other unoriginal cast member, was a good addition but acting is a little on the flat side. We'll wait to see other stuff from her.
Well, I guess we're waiting to know who the standout is It is no less than the magnificent Jesse L. Martin who is best known as Detective Ed Green on "Law and Order." This man does not only have a great set of chords on him but he brings you deep into his world and holds you tight there. You feel everything for this man. From his fight with AIDS to his fight with death and loss, you can't help but want to just give him a hug. I'd love to see him as a nominee but I'll be realistic, that unknown name in a mediocre film just won't cut it. I'm sure he'll be a nominee of mine when my best of the year are put together.
I really wanted to love "Rent" but I couldn't keep my heart in it. There was too much standing around and not enough throwing yourself into your character. "Rent" is over 12 years old and these characters are supposed to be in the early 20s and they might not have had the early 20 flavor to grasp their characters anymore. I respect the film for what it was but if you've never seen the show you probably won't like the film that much. Musicals just aren't safe bets at Oscars anymore.