14 Member Reviews
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1
by Richard54
This fails in the one area in which it ought to have succeeded - there are no songs sufficiently tuneful, melodic or rhythmic to be at all memorable. An hour after viewing the film, and I can't even... Read more
hum one of the tunes. The story is a direct and obvious steal from Puccini's La Boheme which, although I last saw it ten years ago, I can still recall the music clearly. Why buy the plastic imitation?
1
by Bash
I didnt like it at all.. but hey thats my opinion (not my kind of movie) but who knows you might enjoy it.
5
by Jepha
I love this film but was slightly disappointed when a friend told me recently that the entire concept is stolen from an Italian opera, La Bohem. I haven't seen the opera but apparently it's identical... Read more
except where Rent has HIV, La Bohem has Consumption and Tuberculosis.
5
by jane kp
I don't know what musical the other reviewers were watching but I have to disagree about there being no catchy tunes...and I loved the story. It is very sad that Jonathon Larsen died so young because... Read more
his first musical was so good he would have had a brilliant career. If you like any modern musicals you should give this a go - don't write it off because of the other reviews!
3
by cokeboi79
A very good movie. However the musical aspect could have been more cinematic, as the songs seem to lack any spark that would warrant this even being a musical in the first place.
Rent clearly... Read more
works better on stage than screen but still an enjoyable way to spend a rainy afternoon
1
by Steve172
Wasn't familiar with the story prior to getting it out and I'm afraid I was pretty disappointed with it.
2
by upstill
Textbook example of the difference between stage and cinema. What must have been sweeping and powerful onstage becomes, in the hands of Chris "Harry Potter" Columbus, a musical with a soul of plastic... Read more
. I almost never give up on a movie, but after an hour I decided that reading would be a better use of my time--even in Blu-Ray. See Across The Universe instead, or better yet, compare the two for diametrically opposed examples of how and how not to make a modern musical.
1
by Rotoguy
Most people in NZ won't know this musical whatsoever and so most won't know just how badly it crosses over from the stage to the screen. I am lucky enough to have seen it live on stage in New York... Read more
and know just how powerful a musical it is. The same cannot be said of this Chris Columbus (The first 3 Harry Potter films, Mrs Doubfire) adaptation. Rent is about a group of 20 something NYC residents struggling with little money and in 4 cases HIV. It is loosely based on the Opera La Boheim and replaces 18th Century Paris with 1990's NYC and TB with HIV. Taking the original cast members from the Stage production (all now simply too old to be playing early 20's new bohemians in East Village NYC) with the exception of the lead female Columbus attempts to bring that magic to the screen - it just doesn't work. Sure some of the songs still get in your head including the opening one 525600 minutes (at the beginning here - wierd as it is the opening song for act two on stage) but overall it fails to impress. If you are looking for a musical best stick with Phantom of the Opera or even Little Shop of Horrors which both translated far better to film. If you want to see Rent I fully recommend a trip to Broadway where the real magic takes place.
2
by Glen22
This is like a double episode of 'Fame' except you don't get the character depth or likability. I must say I was disappointed in this film, for a popular musical it is strange to have no songs that stay with you after the final credits roll.
4
by Banno
Great movie, wonderful story and singing. Quite sad in places. Would love to see it on stage!
