tick, tick... Boom!

"I'm the future of musical theater." Jonathan Larson (Andrew Garfield)

Director Lin-Manuel Miranda (Tony and Pulitzer-winning creator of Hamilton) shows his genius was not a just one-off. In tick, tick . . .Boom! Hamilton revives the memory of Jonathan Larson (Andrew Garfield), the creator/composer of Rent, a contemporary rock musical that inspired a new generation of shows for Broadway.

That Larson should die at 35, the night before the preview of Rent, lends a melancholy air to this adaptation of his autobiographical musical and this film's influence by his first failure, Suburbia, inspired by Orwell's 1984.

Tick shows the evolution of Larson's signature realism, a fulfillment of his agent Rosa Stevens's (Judith Light) exhortation to write about what he knows. Poverty, paying rent, facing down rejection, protesting for justice, and HIV friends dying in droves are issues he knows and will exploit in his iconic musical.

Yet for this film, he is promoting his tick . . ., and while the lyrics are uneven and scattered but generally first-rate, it involves a too-large cast including aliens. Although Garfield is gawky and endearing in equal measure, Larson's work has the mentoring of Stephen Sondheim (Bradley Whitford), who I understand, knows something about musicals. Whitford, by the way, does a credible, impressive imagining of Sondheim.

The ticking boom of time in the title has several reference points, not just Larson's impending death but the dynamic change of Broadway Larson ignited. Andrew Garfield does a yeoman's job of giving life to Larson, who has a naivete, energy, and self-centeredness that bespeak the lasting influence he has had on the modern musical.

In some ways, Miranda has done that himself with this exciting, melancholic musical about musicals and the geniuses who lose their lives creating them. Netflix.

I liked this movie a lot more than I thought it would.

I find that Netflix movies are hard to predict normally they are let downs but this one broke the cycle for me.

It was thoughtful. There was obviously research done by everyone involved.

Considering this is his directorial debut I do think that he does a good job for the most part. I think some scenes are amazing and will stick but others can be a little plainer.

Andrew Garfield is the star of the show though. His performance was fantastic. He really gave into the role. The pretentiousness, the heart, the sadness. He played the typical "musical theatre nerd" perfectly. It was so theatrical and over the top which worked. But the moments that called for more depth were also amazing. He was about to really capture the sadness.

I was really impressed. The music is as great too. The majority of the songs had a life of their own and felt original. They felt fresh even though this play was wrote in 1990.

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"tick, tick...BOOM! Is one of my favorite movies of the year! Boasting memorable, addictive, first-rate music performed by astonishingly talented actors, Lin-Manuel Miranda delivers one of the best musical films of the century.

From the absolute standout, "30/90", to the highly satisfying payoff, "Louder than Words", the vast majority of songs serve a necessary purpose, moving the plot forward in an entertaining manner while also developing the compelling characters.

Andrew Garfield delivers one of the best performances of his career, demonstrating his impressive emotional range and artistic skills, both as an actor and a performer. Technically, no fault to point out whatsoever.

Do NOT miss this work of art!"

Rating: A.

Correct me if i'm wrong. I've seen so many actors in their respective movies and also off-screen (i.e., just in interviews, not in flesh), this guy is charming on & off-screen. I mean, his acting is so unique and incredibly realistic. He provides extra details and mentions more than required crew members and respects them. I just hope people would give good reviews for this excellent movie.

A beautiful celebration, full of musical escalation, with a gifted congregation and their great performances; an outstanding dedication, with oratorical elation, for a truly special showman, makes a great retrospective.