Like some books adapted into films, Broadway's "Rent" was better left in its original form. Although the film version has its merits, transferring its onstage brilliance to the screen is almost an impossible endeavor.
The motion picture "Rent," based on the rock and roll opera by Jonathan Larson, will premiere this Thanksgiving weekend in local movie theaters.
The musical won various awards including four Tony's and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1996. The staged production and film serves as a memory of Jonathan Larson's creative work and dream for the performing arts. He passed away only hours before the film's premiere.
The silver screen version includes the same musical numbers that are in the theater production. Although song and dance is the main attraction of the movie, it detracts from the drama.
Set in the East Village of New York City, "Rent" is about a group of acquaintances that struggle with the tragedies of everyday life. Ultimately, they all have one common problem: the hardships of paying rent.
Roger (Adam Pascal of "The School of Rock"), an aspiring song writer and guitarist deals with his neighbor, a drug-addicted stripper named Mimi (Rosario Dawson of "Sin City"), while coming to terms with his girlfriend's suicide. His roommate Mark (Anthony Rapp of "A Beautiful Mind") is an aspiring documentary filmmaker who attempts to get over his recent breakup with his girlfriend Maureen (Idina Menzel of "Kissing Jessica Stein"). Maureen's new interracial relationship is with Joanne (Tracie Thoms of "The Warrior Class"), a lawyer.
Some local talent is also featured in the film. Jesse L. Martin, an alumnus of the Buffalo Academy of Performing Arts High School in downtown Buffalo, plays the part of philosophy professor Tom Collins.
Benny's character (Taye Diggs of "Go") escapes from East Village and finds success as he continues to be a friend and provides rent to his acquaintances.
Sadly, AIDS has touched all of the characters in some way. There is a lot of emphasis placed on the disease and other misfortunes including death, drugs and poverty.
Actors Rapp, Pascal, Martin, Heredia, Menzel and Diggs were all brought to the film cast from the original staged musical. Not on the set list, Dawson and Thoms easily adapted to the scheme of things making for a solid cast.
In one of the most memorable scenes, Rosario Dawson sings "Will You Light My Candle?" and "No Day But Today," perfectly integrating the idea of the musical into the film with smooth transitions between drama scenes and songs.
Similarly, Jesse L. Martin awes the theatre with his excellent portrayal of Tom.
In comparison however, Taye Diggs is unable to adapt his character to the silver screen the way Dawson and Martin did. Diggs fails to capture the viewer's attention with his weak portrayal. Fans of Diggs may seem discontented in his character as high expectations create higher disappointments.
Although the film version of Rent has its high points, it doesn't compare to the critically acclaimed theatrical version.
