Rent...
The first time I went to see Rent on Broadway, I left with a sense of awe. I was not sure what that awe was from, whether the music, the story, the acting, the theater, whatever it was, I was not sure. But what I did know was that there was something powerful and that in some way Rent is a picture of all that is good about art.
Because of this, you would think that I would be very excited that Rent was coming to the big screen. And although I could not wait to go and see it, there was some hesitation, that somehow the movie would not capture the power that the Broadway show brought. And, about 30 minutes into the movie, that is how I felt. However, starting with the song "Tango Maureen," this all began to change.
One of the really great things about the movie version of Rent is that they can do certain things during the songs that cannot be on stage. This is where the movie becomes truly great. For those that have seen the musical, they will have to see the movie to understand what I am talking about, but during the song "Tango Maureen" the cinematography is outstanding, depicting in picture what the actors are singing in words. This happens a couple of other times in the movie, and makes certain songs very powerful.
Beyond the imagery of Rent, is the incredible music, written by the late Jonathan Larson (who won a Pulitzer Prize as well as numerous Tonys). What Larson captures in this musical better than anything else is the power of community. During an AIDS life support group, the members begin singing: "There's only us/There's only this/No Other road/No other way/no day but today." Again, the faces of pain of those who have AIDS are real, but in that pain you sense they are not alone.
However, there is still doubt amongst those who have AIDS about where there future is going. The song 'Will I' says: "Will I lose my dignity/Will someone care?/Will I wake tomorrow/from this nightmare." Where do we find refuge from our pain and suffering? Rent answers by the power of community. Watching Rent I could not help but think of the early church, how people were being murdered for their faith, but they stuck together, prayed together, and fought through all kinds of trials to give witness to the power of Jesus Christ.
Granted, I understand it is a far stretch for me to compare homosexual AIDS patients to the early church, but the fact of the matter is, Larson knows about the power of community. He knows that loving friends can change everything, and that is what happens in Rent. Friends can help each other deal with death, commitment, regret, love, fear, whatever, it does not matter, because the power of community can overcome all.
And I think that is where I realized why I am in awe of this musical, and now the movie. It is a living testament of what life could be like if we 'gave into love.'
Because of this, you would think that I would be very excited that Rent was coming to the big screen. And although I could not wait to go and see it, there was some hesitation, that somehow the movie would not capture the power that the Broadway show brought. And, about 30 minutes into the movie, that is how I felt. However, starting with the song "Tango Maureen," this all began to change.
One of the really great things about the movie version of Rent is that they can do certain things during the songs that cannot be on stage. This is where the movie becomes truly great. For those that have seen the musical, they will have to see the movie to understand what I am talking about, but during the song "Tango Maureen" the cinematography is outstanding, depicting in picture what the actors are singing in words. This happens a couple of other times in the movie, and makes certain songs very powerful.
Beyond the imagery of Rent, is the incredible music, written by the late Jonathan Larson (who won a Pulitzer Prize as well as numerous Tonys). What Larson captures in this musical better than anything else is the power of community. During an AIDS life support group, the members begin singing: "There's only us/There's only this/No Other road/No other way/no day but today." Again, the faces of pain of those who have AIDS are real, but in that pain you sense they are not alone.
However, there is still doubt amongst those who have AIDS about where there future is going. The song 'Will I' says: "Will I lose my dignity/Will someone care?/Will I wake tomorrow/from this nightmare." Where do we find refuge from our pain and suffering? Rent answers by the power of community. Watching Rent I could not help but think of the early church, how people were being murdered for their faith, but they stuck together, prayed together, and fought through all kinds of trials to give witness to the power of Jesus Christ.
Granted, I understand it is a far stretch for me to compare homosexual AIDS patients to the early church, but the fact of the matter is, Larson knows about the power of community. He knows that loving friends can change everything, and that is what happens in Rent. Friends can help each other deal with death, commitment, regret, love, fear, whatever, it does not matter, because the power of community can overcome all.
And I think that is where I realized why I am in awe of this musical, and now the movie. It is a living testament of what life could be like if we 'gave into love.'
1 Comments:
I really appreciated your take onn Rent. I unfortunately never got to see it on stage, but I understand what you were expecting. As a Christian I wasn't sure about all the aids and homosexuality, but at the same time I was very moved by the story. I think it just unravels us a little bit, showing us that you need to live life to the full, because today could be it, or six months. You never know. Anyway, thanks for your public thoughts.
Holly
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