Rent: the movie!

[sillyspook13]

A movie version of the hit Broadway musical Rent will be coming to theatres 11-11-2005. The film features most of the original Broadway cast (except for Mimi)!

See the trailer and get more info at the official website.

 

[disnyfan89]

I just saw Bewitched and thr trailer was before that and it looked good.

 

[nicholas]

The film features most of the original Broadway cast (except for Mimi)!

Joanne is different too. Trailer looks good. Been watching it a lot since it was released a few weeks ago. Should be a good film.

 

[Madison]

I've been listening to the cast recording of the Broadway show a bit recently despite having never seen it. I love 'Seasons of Love' and thought the rest of the show might be equally enjoyable, but so far, I have not fallen in love with the things. Maybe it'll be better in context.

 

[rainfully]

Joanne is different too. Trailer looks good. Been watching it a lot since it was released a few weeks ago. Should be a good film.

:lol: Me too!! A couple of times a day almost every day!

 

[Figment1986]

I just saw Bewitched and thr trailer was before that and it looked good.

I did too.. (no comment.. :lookaroun )

 

[barnum42]

Nice trailer. Rent is a show that never interested me, it just seemed like an utterly depressing story so I never went out of my way to see it. However, when it came to my home town I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised by it. Looks like being a good film too.

 

[imagineer99]

I just don't think this is a good idea.

I must say that while I respect the music and the play, I just find the story to not be my cup of tea.

I understand musicals are "hot" right now (Chicago, Phantom) in Hollywood. However, Rent is all singing--all singing. Very little dialogue in there. How this will translate into film is beyond me. Plus, the staging of Rent is so minimal, it's effect may be ruined by "real" locations.

Not to mention, Chris Columbus is directing? The guy best known for Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone, and Harry Potter? Yeah--that makes little sesne.

 

[angelofitaly69]

I just don't think this is a good idea.

I must say that while I respect the music and the play, I just find the story to not be my cup of tea.

I understand musicals are "hot" right now (Chicago, Phantom) in Hollywood. However, Rent is all singing--all singing. Very little dialogue in there. How this will translate into film is beyond me. Plus, the staging of Rent is so minimal, it's effect may be ruined by "real" locations.

Not to mention, Chris Columbus is directing? The guy best known for Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone, and Harry Potter? Yeah--that makes little sesne.

I have to disagree with you. I think this will be a great film. As far as the "all singing" aspect, you can not even put Phantom and Chicago in the same class. Chicago is a musical, Phantom is a rock opera. Not the same catagory even. Phantoms talking in the film is just songs that "Hollywood" turned to dialog. All I can say to you is rent Cats or Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dream Coat or Jesus Christ Superstar . None of these Broadway greats have talking and were translated to film just fine.

 

[daveemtdave]

I have to disagree with you. I think this will be a great film. As far as the "all singing" aspect, you can not even put Phantom and Chicago in the same class. Chicago is a musical, Phantom is a rock opera. Not the same catagory even. Phantoms talking in the film is just songs that "Hollywood" turned to dialog. All I can say to you is rent Cats or Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dream Coat or Jesus Christ Superstar . None of these Broadway greats have talking and were translated to film just fine.

I actually have to agree with you. ALW classifies his musical theatre productions as musicials to todays beat. There is very little talking in any of his productions and when there is talking it is usually to lead into another aria. He actually has overseen each and every movie production and HE has the final say. You need to add 'Evita" to this list. Are they million sellers - maybe not; but they do sell. As for RENT - only the finished product will tell. As for the Director - what you think is trash, I might like - to each their own opinion.

 

[barnum42]

I must say that while I respect the music and the play, I just find the story to not be my cup of tea.

Which is how I always felt about the stage show - a tale of aids and drug addiction wrecking relationships does not exactly hook me and La Boheme, the opera it's based on, does not exactly send you out the theatre on a happy note. Typical opera - fat tart comes on, fat tart sings, fat dart dies

I'm glad I eventually saw it as it turned out to be nowhere near as depressing as I expected, and far more enjoyable. I guess it's helped by them not having the same ending as the opera and the book and characters being most entertaining. From what I recall, the show itself is not sung-through and there is plenty of spoken dialogue.

 

[626]

As a fan of musical theatre I am always happy to see a musical come to the big screen. While I did not enjoy Rent when I saw it on stage, I'm hoping the movie will change my mind.

 

[nibblesandbits]

I didn't enjoy Rent on stage either...I usually love musicals, but it was so hard to understand being as high as I was and with all the singing. Even though things were explained to me as they were happening, I think I will understand being able to understand it whilst watching a movie b/c with the movie, you have a better chance of hearing ALL the words in the song.

 

[imagineer99]

I have to disagree with you. I think this will be a great film. As far as the "all singing" aspect, you can not even put Phantom and Chicago in the same class. Chicago is a musical, Phantom is a rock opera. Not the same catagory even. Phantoms talking in the film is just songs that "Hollywood" turned to dialog. All I can say to you is rent Cats or Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dream Coat or Jesus Christ Superstar . None of these Broadway greats have talking and were translated to film just fine.

Well, I've seen all the plays you have mentioned either on Broadway or on tour, and I must say I find them to be much better dramatic productions than movies.

I'm not discounting that Rent will do well (or will be good). I just don't necessarily think it to be such a great idea.

The best musical adaption done so far IMO, has been Chicago. That just nailed it perfectly. I just don't feel Chris Columbus has the same ability.

Then again, Rent-heads will go see this in droves. So, I guess it doesn't really matter.

If one thing was done right, I must commend the filmmakers on getting as much of the original cast as possible. The talented actors/actresses on stage very rarely get the same recognition as Hollywood mainstream performers (who happen to have a lot less in the talent department).

 

[nicholas]

If one thing was done right, I must commend the filmmakers on getting as much of the original cast as possible.

Yes and no. I agree that it's great that the originals will get to immortalize their performances on film, but ten years ago when this show opened, they were already too old to be playing the characters they were playing. It's now ten years later. I just hope it doesn't look ridiculous.

 

[BRER STITCH]

I have to side with IMAGINEER99 on this one.

If you have seen the show live then you understand how the environment they create in the theater is so much a part of the whole experience.

What you see on stage is minimal so as not to detract from the story or create an artificial environment. I just can't picture the filmed version capturing this same "raw" quality.

My feeling was supported by the trailer which, in my opinion, is too effect-oriented already.

Also...much to my dismay, the orchestration on the trailer sounds VERY empty. I'm hoping it is just becasue it is so early in the production stage.

I love "RENT" but am expecting the worst with the hope of being pleasantly surprised.

Hollywood needs another hit musical to keep this pattern continuing! Otherwise it will be a lifetime of comic book sequels and unfunny comedies!

 

[barnum42]

it was so hard to understand being as high as I was

You were snorting the pixie dust before the show began?

*Thinks*

Or, you were in the seats at the top of the theatre

 

[nibblesandbits]

You were snorting the pixie dust before the show began?

*Thinks*

Or, you were in the seats at the top of the theatre

lol! Ok...didn't think about that one! No pixie dust needed...

 

[rentNdisney]

allow me to rant for a bit:

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! I cried when i heard that they were making RENT (my alltime favorite musical, hence my screen name thingy) into a play. Yes this could be considered overreacting, but I also boycotted the play when Drew Lachey took over the role of Mark last year. I've seen the play too many times to count, and out of all the plays I've seen on Broadway (i think im up to 34) it's my allitme favorite. Yes, it can be depressing, but the end is so uplifting. No day but today, it jsut makes you think. I leave the Nederlander theater every time with a natural high.

Now, the movie. As many have said, the play thrives on its minimal setting. The whole mood and everyhting else feeds off of this. When I watched the trailer and saw collins and angel walking through Washington Square Park, i was dissapointed. I really hoped they'd stay true to the way the play is on stage. It is pretty cool that the cast is mostly OBC's, but you must remember that it is a play about young people in NYC. The play came out in 1996, whihc means the OBC's are almost ten years older now. Kinda takes away form the whole age thing huh?

And you can call me a theater elitis, but I'm really scared that it'll get a OG-13 rating, and 11 year old girls will flock too it, claiming they know about theater and culture. Next thing you no, RENT merchandise will be sold in Hot Topic.

So yeah, I'm sorry, just had to let that out.

 

[nicholas]

allow me to rant for a bit:

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! I cried when i heard that they were making RENT (my alltime favorite musical, hence my screen name thingy) into a play. Yes this could be considered overreacting, but I also boycotted the play when Drew Lachey took over the role of Mark last year. I've seen the play too many times to count, and out of all the plays I've seen on Broadway (i think im up to 34) it's my allitme favorite. Yes, it can be depressing, but the end is so uplifting. No day but today, it jsut makes you think. I leave the Nederlander theater every time with a natural high.

Now, the movie. As many have said, the play thrives on its minimal setting. The whole mood and everyhting else feeds off of this. When I watched the trailer and saw collins and angel walking through Washington Square Park, i was dissapointed. I really hoped they'd stay true to the way the play is on stage. It is pretty cool that the cast is mostly OBC's, but you must remember that it is a play about young people in NYC. The play came out in 1996, whihc means the OBC's are almost ten years older now. Kinda takes away form the whole age thing huh?

And you can call me a theater elitis, but I'm really scared that it'll get a OG-13 rating, and 11 year old girls will flock too it, claiming they know about theater and culture. Next thing you no, RENT merchandise will be sold in Hot Topic.

So yeah, I'm sorry, just had to let that out.

Now allow me to rant....

It's not a "play." It's a musical, or more appropriately, a rock opera. (I'm not being serious. I'm just bustin your chops )

And about what you said about 11 year old girls suddenly becoming fans and what not...

That's the whole progression of how things have always been with this show. I'm proud to admit that I was a fan back from the very beginning, and have even done "the line" to get tickets. Not the lotto, THE LINE. Rent is one of the reasons I moved to NYC and now work for Broadway. And then when younger people started to grown up and discover rent, the demographic of fans started shifting to include younger and younger and newer and newer people. To the point where now the "die-hard Rentheads" were 6 years old when the show first began. So, maybe I'm "old school" but I've just gotten used to young people discovering the show and becoming experts on it and all things related. I just try to look at it from another angle: Hey, at least they're paying attention to theatre at all, ya know?

Here's hoping it turns out to be a great movie, and gets more butts in the seats at the Nederlander, as well as theatres in general.