Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
From left, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Idina Menzel, Tracie Thoms, Anthony Rapp and Jesse L. Martin star in the movie 'Rent'. - CONTRIBUTED
DESPITE MY opposition to Americanism masquerading as globalisation, Broadway still beckons. It's like spending far too much money on the particularly unhealthy treat of a candied apple, simply because it had been in a book I read as a child, the idea seemed fascinating.
Film versions of Broadway musicals are so far as close as I have got to seeing a Broadway play. And so in dances Rent, the Chris Columbus directed film version of the Broadway musical and it was an entertaining, witty, energetic and at times poignant experience (unless you're uncomfortable with homosexuality).
Rent is very unapologetic of its musical roots as there is far more rock singing from its engaging largely rock-based songs than dialogue in this film.
Rent is essentially the story of love in a time of HIV/AIDS. As the characters sing out towards the middle of Act II, it is a tale of 'people living with, not dying from the disease'. These renters are essentially the new face of the HIV/AIDS disease: sexy young people who, with AZT in hand, can lead relatively normal lives and be angst ridden about more than facing death (at least in the first world where you can afford your medication and be hip at the same time).
Rent shows a year in the life of a group of eight New Yorkers whose lives intersect on the meridians of love and friendship and tales of HIV/AIDS aside, that's exactly what it's about, love and friendships that once seemed self-sustaining but are eventually pressured by everyday life, but yes, love can keep them together, it does after all make the world go round.
It is like a feature length version of Friends, but with darker issues as its background. Along with love and life, it touches on drug abuse, homosexuality, and simply making love connections while being HIV positive. It is a particularly interesting
experience having watched Positive, because it simply highlights the differences between our societies. Positive is aimed at educating about AIDS but Rent has no interest in this.
GROUNDED IN REALITY
Somewhere along the way, Hollywood lost much of its affection for musicals. One of the best things about musicals is their ability to transport one from reality. Yet, with Rent's topic, despite all the singing the film
is for the most part grounded in reality, though it is flavoured by fairy-tale happiness.
The story is made particularly interesting because of the cross-section of characters that embody it. Anthony Rapp plays Mark Cohen, a young would-be filmmaker who is spurned by love and must choose between paying the rent and following his dream.
Jesse L. Martin takes a little break from being one of New York's men in blue (Law and Order) to play Tom Collins who is romanced by the dynamic drag queen Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia). Adam Pascal (Roger), Taye Diggs (Benjamin), Rosario Dawson (Mimi), Idina Menzel (Maureen) and Tracie Thoms (Joanne), make up the rest of the cast.
The story uses the idea of rent to represent the concept of living and loving on borrowed time, and it encourages the idea of living life to the fullest, rather than as though it has been rented. It's a buoyant movie, even if it does not make you sing in the rain. It's fun, even if self-consciously so and honestly, how can one not be self-conscious and break out in song for no apparent reason (unless you're a busvangelist).
