Plot: What’s it about?
It’s now been ten million five hundred twelve thousand hours since Rent first graced the screen. I assume any fan of the film will get that reference. If not, check out the song list and multiply by 20. You’re welcome. Kidding aside, I think that Rent was supposed to be a lot more than it ended up being. Based on the long-running and critically-acclaimed Broadway show of the same name, the leap to the big screen was a no-brainer. There were a few concerns, however, about this film version. First the subject matter – would a PG-13 film be able to appropriately handle some of the topics tackled? Second, the director. Chris Columbus was certainly having a very good 21st century having helped the first two Harry Potter films, but was he the right choice for this one? But, after watching this one I can safely say that the subject matter wasn’t watered down too much and that he did a fine job not over sentimentalizing the material. That said, there was a bit lost in translation and as we can assume – the play makes a much bigger impact. Nevertheless, let’s get started.
The film is set in the late 80’s where we meet a struggling group of artists living in dealing with the onset of the AIDS epidemic. Mark (Anthony Rapp) is an aspiring filmmaker documenting the life of his friends. Maureen (Idina Menzel), Mark’s ex-girlfriend, has left him for Joanne (Tracie Thoms). His roommate Roger (Adam Pascal) is a wannabe musician who’s contracted HIV through IV drug use. Roger meets an exotic danger, Mimi (Rosario Dawson) but he’s afraid to let the relationship progress due to his HIV status. There’s Tom (Jesse L. Martin), who once shared a space with Marka and Roger and he’s met Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia), a drag-queen who’s dying of AIDS. And then there’s Benjamin (Taye Diggs). He’s let everyone live rent free in his building, but now must collect as he’s building an arts center and needs money. Hence…the name of the film.
We’ve lost a lot of great people to HIV/AIDS, though a couple of decades later (and this is in no way meant to diminish what happened) AIDS really isn’t that big of a deal anymore. At least not in the United States. There’s actually a pill that, when taken, can halt the progression of it to full-blown AIDS and can even stop its transmission to others Why doesn’t everyone simply take this pill? I will say that it’s something that I was deathly afraid of and kept me from really “enjoying” my 20’s and 30’s but there weren’t a lot of folks who were as careful as me. Oddly, we’d have Covid in 2020 which in many ways was far worse than AIDS as it was airborne. Isn’t life swell? I’m getting sidetracked, of course, but I get that the play and movie and what they were trying to convey, but it’s lost some of its edge in the past couple of decades. The performances are great, but I’d recommend seeing it on stage (if it’s still around) as opposed to on screen.
Video: How’s it look?
Sony’s HEVC 4K image is nothing short of astounding. Given that this is the studio that literally invented Blu-ray, we’d expect nothing less. The 2.39:1 image utilizes every inch of the frame and it shows. Stark contrast, stunning black levels, detail that’s sharp as a knife – you know the drill. Granted this came out on Blu-ray in the fledgling days of the format and we’re now spoiled at how amazing images can look, but this is simply perfect in every way.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The previously-released Blu-ray had two different audio formats: PCM and a TrueHD. Both of those are now gone and we’ve got a new Dolby Atmos mix that dishes out the goods (and then some). Being a musical, we can expect each and every channel to be used. And they are – very often. Vocals are solid, pure and crisp while the surrounds (all of ’em) belt out ambiance like you wouldn’t believe. This is a different kind of sound than we’re used to with action movies, but it nonetheless delivers on all accounts.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Rather disappointingly, nothing new has been added for this 20th anniversary edition. It’s the same supplements that graced the Blu-ray first released in 2007. Oh well.
- Audio Commentary – Director Chris Columbus is joined by Actors Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal (they’re in New York, he’s in San Francisco) and the three put together a pretty decent track. The tone and theme of the film is discussed and the challenge of bringing the play to the big screen. Granted, this track is twenty years old, but if you’ve never heard it, it’s well worth a listen.
- No Day But Today – The included documentary runs nearly as long as the film itself and focuses on Jonathan Larson and his life. We see his childhood to his death from the AIDS virus. Also discussed are some of the influences on Larson as well as his life in New York. We do get some smattering of the influence of the film in there, but by and large this is a two hour look at Larson. At any rate, it’s interesting.
- Deleted Scenes – We get four total an an alternate ending with optional commentary by Christopher Columbus.
- Public Service Announcements – Not one but two are included (one for the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation and the other for the National Marfan Foundation).
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
Depending on your stance of musical theater, this is (and has been) a hit or miss. I think the filmmakers thought this would be a lot bigger than it actually was. Sony’s new 20th anniversary edition looks and sounds amazing, but with no new features it’s essentially the same stuff in a new, albeit much more attractive, package.
