Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway

Every decade, it seems, Broadway produces a transcendent musical. In the 1970's, it was A CHORUS LINE, in the 1980's, it was LES MISERABLES. Jump to the 2000's, you have WICKED and, of course, the 2010's brought us HAMILTON.

The 1990's brought us a "rock musical" that focused on a global pandemic set against the backdrop of social protesting and racial injustices (sound familiar), this musical is Jonathan Larson's RENT.

Following (loosely) the plot of the 1896 opera LA BOHEME, RENT tells the tale of disaffected artists trying to live and love (and make rent) while living their lives the way they wish to live it. Writer Jonathan Larson (who passed, suddenly, the day before previews began) created a powerful, rock driven, story that is poignant, sad and hopeful all at the same time. The original Broadway production Iwhich I am bragging that I saw 2x with the original cast) brought such talent as Jesse L. Martin, Anthony Rapp, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel to the forefront.

But...skip the film version of this musical (starring most of the original cast) that came out in 2005. It is purfunctuary and lifeless. Instead, seek out the 2008 RENT: FILMED LIVE ON BROADWAY. Like Hamilton, this is a filmed version of the stage show and is able to capture the power and emotion that only live theater can provide.

The cast in this production is outstanding - with the standout being (no surprise) a young Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schulyer in Hamilton) who shines brightly as Mimi.

Like Hamilton, Rent showcases the power - and purpose - of live theater. A place that I cannot wait to go to again in 2021.

Letter Grade: A-

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)

This is my all-time favorite! They are poor, they might get lost, they are at the bottom of the society, but they are brave and dare to love, to live. This film inspired and encouraged me at those gray days. I saw it a couple of times and I still want to see it soon. 2 years ago, I finally got to see it at off-Broadway. It was as touching and powerful as the movie if it was not more. After all, the movie is an adaptation of the play. I think I cried till the end of the play after the intermission... The music in this movie fits a lot with the theme. Lyrics are delicately written. You do not need to be a rock music lover to like this movie. You can not miss this one.

Let me start my review by saying I grew up with Rent as a kid with the original cast recordings. I've seen it on Broadway, and few other big cities. I have high standards that are maybe a little too high for my favorite musical. After seeing the watered-down gleeish movie version in high school(I could go on), and seeing a bad traveling version I almost gave up on Rent. Five years later, I come across what I've always wanted: a recording of the stage show! I went in with my doubts but I think this is probably the next best thing to seeing the Original cast. Hell, I knew I wanted to buy it ten minutes in. It's a shame they didn't make this for the last original cast show, but i digress. It brings forward the true feeling of Rent,something the film didn't do. Not to mention you get to hear ALL the music, and see the story Jon Larson wrote. The actors aren't perfect at all times, I feel some seem like their copying their character voices from the OBC. and some lack the power and or soul for their role, but this is really nip picky of me because you can tell they LOVE the show. As Rent-heads do I'll say my favorites I really like Mark, Moreean, and Collins! I felt Me-me seemed a little to tamed didn't have the full edge of mi-mi. Roger and Angel were OK, but I didn't think their voices were up to belt this stuff like it should be. Joanna, the same Joanna from the movie, was even MORE awesome then she was in the film. I finally feel like I can watch Rent again without all that Hollywood watered down hairspray covered cheese wiz (Rent deserved better!). Viva La vie Boheme!!!!!!!

It's great to have a document of the live stage show. The cast is ok. The weakest link is Will Chase. He's just not right for the role and I prefer a Latina in the role of Mimi so it's not the best cast but still good to have on file and it's better than the film version.

This has to be one of the best DVDs I own. Having not even heard of Rent until the movie came out, I never really knew the story until 2005. It was a great idea to do the movie and an even better idea to release the final Broadway show on DVD. It is making it possible for those of us who only learned of Rent late in the game or for those of us who were too young when it came out or for those of us who don't live in or visit New York to see this amazing piece of theatre. The cast did a great job and Jonathan's beautifully written story will live on in this performance. This story is the heartwarming tale of eight friends, with various issues, including some main ones of living in poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The music is incredible and it's not all "showtunes" but rather, it is a combination of various styles, including rock, gospel and pop. It makes a statement and it warms your heart. It takes a couple watches of Rent to fully understand the story but once you do, you're captured in its magic for life.