Rent

It's become a yearly tradition for us to watch Rent, and honestly, it never gets old. It's just such a fun movie with some incredibly catchy songs that you'll be humming for days, and underneath all the spectacle, it truly has a lot of heart. What's surprising is that some of the songs I initially found the cheesiest are now the ones that consistently move me the most.

Mel Yousuf Rent: A Raw and Heartfelt Journey Few musicals are more iconic in American theater than Jonathan Larson’s 1996 musical Rent. The play is about AIDS, survival, love, and a restless Bohemian existence. It’s just as applicable today as it was in its first run in 1996. The company’s live production I watched conveyed both the heat and depth of the performance, and I didn’t just feel entertained but also moved. From Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel to the “down and dirty” design (real space, real action), Rent was an emotional rollercoaster that so poignantly shares the story of an artist community that is forced to share its most intimate moments under the shade of gentrification and AIDS. The live stage recording of Rent I watched can be found on YouTube and other online platforms that feature theater content. Rent’s original Broadway production ran from 1996 to 2008, with over 5,000 performances. The story unfolds in New York City's East Village, where a group of friends—struggling artists relying on part-time work—gather during a pivotal time in their lives. They face challenges in relationships, cope with an existential survival crisis, and wrestle with their individual aspirations, all while dealing with the pressures of poverty and AIDS. This rock musical is a raw reflection of the lives of young people trying to make their mark on society while being pushed to its fringes. Acting/Singing: The performances in Rent were powerful, but a few truly stood out and made the production unforgettable. Taye Diggs, who portrayed Benny, was especially memorable. His performance, both complex and emotionally intense, carried the show forward. Benny is torn between his loyalty to his friends and the temptations of the upwardly mobile world of wealth and prestige. Diggs’s portrayal struck a chord with me—not just because HIV and gentrification are themes that I see in my own community, but because his character’s internal struggle felt universal. Diggs made Benny more than just an antagonist; he showed us a man constantly questioning his own decisions. This added a layer of depth to the story, helping the audience engage more deeply with the broader social issues it highlighted. Idina Menzel's portrayal of Maureen was equally captivating. Known for her role in Wicked, Menzel’s performance was a force of emotion and personality. The echo effect on her microphone during “Over the Moon” added a unique, almost ethereal quality to her already commanding stage presence. Maureen, as portrayed by Menzel, was not only a strong, independent artist but also a character trying to define herself in terms of her relationships and the environment around her. Her energy and enthusiasm poured out in every moment, particularly in her interactions with the audience. She egged them on, becoming an integral part of the show’s atmosphere. This connection added excitement and intimacy to the performance, making the experience even more electrifying. The Direction: Michael Greif directed Rent, and his work on the show effectively captured the emotional intensity needed to keep the audience engaged. Greif’s minimalist set design, with bare brick walls and fire escapes, perfectly evoked the raw environment of 1988 New York City. This simple design allowed the performers and the music—both crucial for a show like Rent, where characters’ battles against fate are central—to take center stage. By limiting the distractions around the actors, the story and its themes became even more immediate and urgent. The sparse set contributed to the feeling of intimacy, which made the larger themes of the show feel personal and relevant. Greif also balanced the emotional highs and lows of the production with skill. During songs like “Seasons of Love,” multimedia projections were used to enhance the storytelling, visually linking the characters' personal struggles with broader social issues like poverty and gentrification. These projections added emotional depth, helping the audience relate to the characters more deeply. Greif’s direction kept the pacing tight, making sure that every moment was engaging without losing the emotional weight of the story. The Design: The production design for Rent was visually striking. The set, with its simple but effective elements like fire escapes and exposed brick walls, captured the rawness of the characters' environment. The design choice helped immerse the audience in the world of New York’s East Village. The simplicity of the set ensured that the focus remained on the music and the characters, which was crucial for a show like Rent, where the emotional power comes from the connection between the characters and the audience. Costume designer Angela Wendt effectively captured the bohemian style of the characters. Each costume symbolized the personal struggles and dreams of its wearer, helping the audience understand the characters’ inner worlds. Jonathan Larson’s rock-infused score was a perfect match for the production’s themes. Songs like “I’ll Cover You” and “La Vie Bohème” captured the rebellious spirit of the characters and their love for life, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. The live band's energy contributed to the vibrant atmosphere, ensuring that the music was just as moving as the people performing it. Overall Reaction: In conclusion, Rent is definitely a thumbs up. The performances, particularly those by Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, were exceptional. The minimalist set and multimedia projections allowed Michael Greif’s direction to shine, and the large themes of love, friendship, survival, and the pursuit of self-fulfillment were communicated with clarity and depth. The music was energetic, and the design choices helped capture the raw, gritty reality of the characters’ lives. For those in marginalized communities or those living with HIV, the impact of Rent is undeniable. Having personally known people diagnosed with HIV, the themes in the play resonated with me deeply. The story is not only entertaining but also profoundly meaningful. The emotional energy from both the cast and the audience made the performance unforgettable. I left the theater feeling moved and enlightened. Rent is not just a play; it is a poignant reminder of life’s struggles and the power of love and community.

Amazing musical. Jonathan Larsons legacy was cemented in our hearts when rent hit Broadway ( and the day he died), this musical brought the Broadway musical back from the dead for my generation, and this movie made it available for anyone to experience.

Senseless and rebarbative depravity.

every song sounded the same...too wordy and monotonous...by the third song i was throwing up in my mouth a little...couldn't finish, couldn't turn it off fast enough, wish i hadn't started...total yock-poo

i love this musical ,incredible

At their peak, the performances—and the song lyrics, bold and unflinching—more than compensate for the weaker choices in this big-screen adaptation.

I honestly really enjoyed the movie and everything around it, the music too... there is not one song I dislike in this MOVIE. I also love how they kept most of the original cast from the Broadway Musical. This is truly something I can watch over and over without getting tired of it!

I hate that critics have slammed this film. I think it was a wonderful adaptation of an off-Broadway play that needed to be brought to the big screen. Chris Columbus brings usual amount of heart to this film. Appropriate given its source material. Rent will leave you gutted, but also full of warmth and love….SEASONS of love! I, cannot, in anyway, imagine why critics see differently. This is a perfect adaptation of a play brought to the silver screen. Bravo! 👏

Rent owes me for the time I wasted watching it. I did enjoy some of the music, I think Jonathan Larson was a talented songwriter, but this movie is pretty awful. Some of the characters are annoying, others I couldn't stand, and the rest are overacting. Rent is also a very manipulative movie. It's like it's constantly yelling at you, telling you how cool it is and explaining why you should be crying. I've never seen the musical, so perhaps it plays better on stage, but this adaptation didn't make me want to rush out and buy a ticket. Rent is just so full of itself that it can't see how obnoxious it is.