Is anyone else excited for the Rent movie this week?

[TLinden16]

I know we have other "Rent" fans here, so I was wondering who else is excited for the release of the movie on Wednesday? I can't wait! I'm very excited that most of the leads from the original Broadway cast is in the movie. I've heard they made a few changes, so I'm curious to see what is going to happen.

I picked up the CD a few weeks ago, and I'm really enjoying it, although they start some of the songs at odd places no the disc.

I first saw the show in New York back in November of 1996, and I've seen it 45 times since then. I've been fortunate enough to get to know a few people who have been in it over the years, and in some ways I feel like I've grown up with the original Broadway cast.

I can't wait to see it

Karen

 

[flrose]

Hey JRKaren
I've been waiting in anticipation ever since I saw the previews at a movie. Can't wait to go see. I also bought the
CD and LOVE it!

 

[mafibisha]

Karen, I'm super pumped too! RENT is one of my favorite Broadway Shows (see my signature below! ) and I think it will be an awesome movie!

 

[mbw12]

I cannot wait!!!!! I feel like such a "kid" with the giddy anticipation that I have about the movie......ok, I admit that I am a 37 year old "kid"!!!!
I LOVE this play....and am "hoping" that the movie does it justice. I lOVE the fact that of the 8 main characters, 6 are from the original Broadway cast....saw them in person and thought they were amazing!!!!!!!!

 

[TLinden16]

I'm with you on that one, mbw12. That cast was something else. The first time I ever saw it on Broadway, only Taye Diggs was out the day I saw it. I remember being so awed by it, and by these amazing performers.

The second time I saw it on Broadway, I once again got to see all but one of the original Broadway cast--by that time, Daphne Rubin Vega had left the cast.

As I said, I really feel like I've grown up with them. It's been especially fun watching Adam Pascal mature as a person and as an actor. I actually had a conversation with him about his growth as an actor one night when I ran into him at a show that Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs were doing off Broadway. I'm really interested to see what he brings to this role on the big screen.

It's really amazing to see just how successful so many of the actors from "Rent" turned out to be. Taye has had some success in movies, and on TV. Jesse Martin has done well on "Law & Order." Idina Menzel went on to star in "Wicked," and has put out a great CD or two. Anthony Rapp has had a lot of appearances in movies, tv, and in theatre (including performing in "Nocturne", a play written by his brother), not to mention his CD (Ant's versatility amazes me sometimes). Adam went from being this rock singer who couldn't even open his eyes when he performed to a Broadway star, who has also put out two fantastic CDs.

I can't wait for this movie

Karen

 

[iluvdisney]

It's on my list of "Must See" so I will be going to see it first chance I get!

 

[mbw12]

It's been especially fun watching Adam Pascal mature as a person and as an actor.

It's just been amazing watching Adam....period! He is such a cutie! Great in Rent and great in AIDA!!!!

 

[TLinden16]

Funny Adam story. Back when Adam was in Aida, I was in New York for a weekend. I was walking near the entrance to the Marriott Marquis when someone runs by me and bumps into me. The person didn't even say excuse me, so I turn to glare at him, and it was Adam. He was carrying his dry cleaning, and he ran into the Marriott. About 10 seconds later, two Japanese tourists come running, cameras out, ready to snap pictures of him. It was actually pretty funny once I realized what had happened. They were looking in the windows of the hotel trying to figure out where he went. I thought it was funny that of all the people Adam could have bumped into, he wound up bumping into me.

Karen

 

[Barb D]

DD12 wants to see this; would it be appropriate for her? She loves the music in the commercial! From the descriptions I've read I can't tell if it would be appropriate or not.

 

[TLinden16]

Personally, I think 12 a little young for this movie. There is a bit of swearing, and quite a bit of adult themes in the storyline.

I was talking to my sister about it yesterday, and she wants to see it, and she said she might let her 14 year old son see it, but she wouldn't let her 12 year old daughter see it. My sister has seen the play.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I am waiting too. But wonder if we will be disappointed after the live performance. I saw it twice on Broadway and was awestruck both times. One of my favorite plays of all times.

 

[Missy1961]

I haven't been able to afford Broadway the last few years (no extra income) so I've haven't seen this show, but I'd like to see the movie. Same thing with "The Producers".

 

[phisigprincess]

Ok, my friend who is a COMPLETE Renthead -I think she eats, sleeps, and breathes this show- got a free preview ticket. I know she'll be the roughest critic when it comes to sticking to the show, and she said it was 99% incredible. That made me feel much better!! We're going on opening day so she can see it again and I can see it the first time.

 

[TLinden16]

Today's the day! Woofreakinghoo!

I'm getting out of work early today, and will hopefully make it to the 3:00 show

Karen

 

[jennyL]

I saw this at a rpeview on Monday. I have not seen the musical and only knew the basic storyline but the movie was Wonderful. I don't know the words to the songs but I've had the music in my head since we left the theater. I guess I'll be picking up the soundtrack while I'm out this weekend.

Ok people have been asking my why they didn't use the entire original cast and I don't know. I figure if anyone knows it will be people here on the DIS. So any information I can pass along.

Everyone who is going today. ENJOY!!!

 

[TLinden16]

Daphne Rubin Vega, the woman who was Mimi on Broadway, was pregnant at the time they were filming (and I don't think she could pull off a 19 year old who looked 16 any more).

I'm not exactly sure why Fredi Walker, the woman who was Joanne in the original Broadway cast), but I will say that from what I know, she didn't have the same type of connection with her cast mates that the others had. I personally didn't think she was very good, either.

Karen

 

[CraftyMouse]

DD12 wants to see this; would it be appropriate for her? She loves the music in the commercial! From the descriptions I've read I can't tell if it would be appropriate or not.

It completely depends on your daughter's (and your) views on certain issues. We took our DD to NYC in June to see Rent. It was all she wanted for her 13th birthday. No party. No friend get-together. Just Rent. She loved it and was able to handle the subject matter fine, but she had heard the music many times before and she's been raised in a very open-minded household.

Rent is a very moving story that deals with 8 friends who live in NYC, several of whom are living with AIDS. If you have raised your child to be open-minded about race, sexual orientation and similar issues and you can deal with a bit of colorful language (although judging from the CD there is less of that in the movie than there was in the play) and drug references then I think she'll be fine. Personally I think the story opens a lot of avenues for discussion and that it shows life from a different perspective than most teens/pre-teens experience...both very valuable things.

If you are still undecided I would recommend checking www.screenit.com for their review. They go through every movie they review and list all objectionable scenes, each and every swear word use and more. Unless you are a subscriber they won't have the Rent review up until tomorrow.

 

[boomhauer]

I'm not closed minded to many movies, but this one will be a skipper for me. The topics it deals with (from what I've read) just seem too depressing to me. Not to mention the fact that I don't like musicals.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I'm not closed minded to many movies, but this one will be a skipper for me. The topics it deals with (from what I've read) just seem too depressing to me. Not to mention the fact that I don't like musicals.

It is actually the most uplifting story I have ever experienced. Rather than focusing on the negativity of disease it is about living each day to its fullest and appreciating love it all of its forms. It is very, very powerful and moving but not dark or depressing at all, IMO.

Of course it is a musical so if you don't like them it still might be worth skipping, however it isn't like "The Music Man" or more traditional shows. It is more of a "rock opera" and the music itself is very moving.

If the social issues it deals with don't put you off I would definitely give it a try.

 

[TLinden16]

I just got home from seeing the movie, and I'm not going to go too much into it, but I will say that some of the things that some folks might consider offensive have been toned down or completely dropped from the film.

I need to see it again before I decide if I like it or love it. This musical really changed my life, and defines me as a person. It was different. I don't know if it's a good different or a bad different. It was just different.

Karen