RENT the Movie Review
I'm hooked on the soundtrack, and the movie isn't a big help on getting me off the RENT-drug. I don't think I qualify for being a Rent-head since I've never seen the play live, but I sure do wish I've seen the OBC perform. Judging from the movie, the Original Broadway Cast are great. It's no wonder they became a huge hit back in the day.
Although, I gotta admit that I like the blends in the movie soundtrack more than the OBC. I think Tracie Thoms' voice blends in more with Idina Menzel, rather than Fredie Walkers *gets bricked by OBC purists*. Maybe it's the mixing, but even performing live, their voices just blends in nicely. Fredie Walker & Idina Menzel's duet on the OBC album sounded, for the lack of words, hard. It kinda grated on my ears. Granted that Menzel was dubbed 'the loudest witch in Oz' ('Wicked' & 'Forbidden Broadway : SVU' reference, not that she's a witch, she's quite a lovely person actually), she probably lacked the technique to counter Walker's already 'hard' voice. It probably worked on stage, since the song is about them arguing, but to listen to it as a song on its own, just doesn't work for me. I suppose Thoms, as a Juliard grad, had the chops to counter Menzel's belted tunes (or Menzel's learned to soften her voice somewhat) or she had a good coach or whatever, but Thoms' & Menzel's version of 'Take Me or Leave Me' really works for me. And I suppose their chemistry was great because their scenes together in the movie were hilarious!
Er, yeah, I'm a Tracie Thoms fan. So it's not a big surprise that I also liked Tango Maureen with her and Anthony Rapp better than the OBC recording. And I love the tango sequence in the movie. The Mark/Joanne face off. Yes, I'm aware that Thom's herself admits on stealing some of Walker's style, but still, her personal addition to the stolen style just works for me. Maybe if I've seen the OBC live first before listening to the movie OST or watching the movie itself, I might say differently. But right now, Tracie Thoms is Joanne in my head.
Rosario Dawson's voice also blends in more with Adam Pascal's, but I'm not averse to Daphne Rubin-Vega's voice. Yeah, Dawson's voice was a bit weak at parts, but it actually works for the movie's Mimi, so it's forgiven. And I actually liked Pascal's 'brooding Roger' in the movie, rather than his 'angry Roger' on stage. It works for me.
Anthony Rapp was just great and adorable as Mark. No one can ever be Mark in my head but him.
Jessie L.Martin & Wilson Jermain Heredia was great as Collins & Angel. Their chemistry was just. Amazing. 'I'll Cover You' on the streets, very cute.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot about Mr. Idina Menzel aka Taye Diggs. He was good, but underused in the movie. Poor Benny.
The beginning of the movie was a bit slow, after 'Rent' I mean. The flow was lacking I suppose. After Tango Maureen, the flow was better. Too bad they cut half of 'Goodbye', I thought it would actually work for the movie. Yes, I'll Cover You Reprise at Angel's funeral was sad and the whole segment of Goodbye would probably make people cry a river, but really, after that we're treated to a Bon Jovi video clip known as 'What You Own'. It wouldn't have really made a big difference, Mr.Columbus.
La Vie Boheme? Excellent!
Well, overall, I like the movie. Yes, it could've been better, but also could've been worse. I don't even want to imagine Usher as Collins, Christina Aguilera as Mimi, Justin Timberlake as Roger/Mark, Alicia Keys as Joanne (although, who knows, she probably wouldn't be too bad), Brittany Murphy as Maureen (why her? Why not Eliza Dushku or if you want a popstar, Gwen Stefani?). Heaven knows who'd play Angel & Benny & Mark/Roger. Thank God we never got to find out. Thank you, Spike Lee for stepping down. Funny how Spike Lee thought Tracie Thoms was too young to be Joanne. But then again, this was a few years ago, so maybe she was. But if he did want to cast popstars, isn't Alicia Keys much more younger looking than Thoms at the time? Oh well, it all worked out in the end. Now I'm looking forward for the dvd. I hope it will be packed with special features, especially bloopers since the cast seem to have a blast making the movie.
On an end note, are there any Indonesians that are into RENT? Seriously, I'm pretty lonely here ^^.