Rent Heads: Stand Up and Be Counted
It looks like the dark cloud that followed me last week is finally gone. The week is getting off to a good start and things seem to be back to normal. Only good things ahead, I hope. Speaking of good things, I finally saw the movie RENT. It was even better than I thought that it would be! Bro and I saw the play many years ago. She hated it. I loved it. (I bought the soundtrack and I listen to it a lot.)
If you’ve seen neither the play nor the film, here’s the story. Basically, RENT is a modern version of Puccini’s La Boheme. Picture this: a group of friends live the Bohemian life in New York City’s East Village circa 1989. Cast of characters include: Mark Cohen, who documents his friends’ lives with AIDS; Mark’s ex-girlfriend, Maureen, a diva who dumped him for a woman named Joanne; Roger, Mark’s roommate, who is in love with the downstairs neighbor, Mimi; Mimi, the sexpot/dancer that lives downstairs; Benny, the guy who used to date Mimi but is now a bohemian-turned-corporate-sell-out who bought the building in which the friends all live (and is now demanding a year of back rent); Tom, the boy who likes boys who dress up as girls; and Angel, the boy who dresses up as a girl … and looks fabulous doing it.
Hmmm, I wonder how many of you guys are Rent Heads. (Take the test.) Have you all seen the play and/or the movie? How many of you haven’t seen either? Raise your hand if you’ve seen the play but not the movie. Are you planning to see the movie? Okay, now, raise your hand if you’ve seen the movie but not the play. Did the movie inspire you to see the play? And, finally, for those of you who have seen both the movie and the play, I pose this question: which did you like better?
December 6th, 2005 at 8:17 am
i saw the movie and want to see the play…but i just thought the movie was mediocore. i think the singing of dialogue is more effective in a play than in a movie.
December 6th, 2005 at 9:15 am
Me, haven’t seen the movie yet, but I’m definately a RENT head… I’ve seen the play twice, and both times I lined up for the cheap seats… good times.
Hopefully going to see the movie tonight.
December 6th, 2005 at 12:50 pm
rckrobin: The play is great. My only complaint is that I *really* didn’t like the sets. Too minimalist. :( But, everything else was great.
mitch: I’ve only seen the play once and I didn’t know that you could get rush tickets at the theater until recently. I think we bought half-price tickets at the TKTS booth. The seats weren’t great, but they were good.
December 6th, 2005 at 1:44 pm
Arrrghhgh! My head is spinning from so many questions being thrown at me at once. LOL! I saw the play but not movie. Not sure if I will see the movie on screen or DVD. Haven’t decided yet. Might be spur of the moment decision.
December 6th, 2005 at 2:15 pm
Me? Haven’t seen either, yet. But upon your recommendation will go see the flick this weekend. Thanks, mwah!
December 6th, 2005 at 2:49 pm
Berry: Nooo! Don’t wait for it to come out on DVD; see it at the theater!!! You’ll be glad that you did. :) If you liked Moulin Rouge or other musical theater productions on film, you’ll like this movie.
Tonito Bandito: YAY!!! :) You’ll have to let me know what you think about it. Glad that you like the recommendation … anything to make my little sweetheart, Tonito, happy! :)
December 6th, 2005 at 4:06 pm
Stolie -I haven’t watched either. I did see a clip of a song they sung on TV awhile back.
Peace!
December 6th, 2005 at 5:59 pm
I was never a renthead, and always suffered a lot of guilt for not being one. I love musicals and always have, but this one never did it for me. It’s something I rarely even admit, because it seems to hurt people’s feelings when I do! It’s like that episode of Seinfeld when they’re the only one’s who disliked The English Patient.
December 6th, 2005 at 10:37 pm
I’m going to admit that I’ve seen neither play nor movie. No interest in the movie, much interest in the play.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:39 am
missbhavens: That’s too funny!!! I was reading your comment and I thought, “oh nooooo. :( She doesn’t like RENT.” And then I got to the part where you said, “It’s something I rarely even admit, because it seems to hurt people’s feelings when I do!” I smiled because I really did get a little sad. :) By the way, Bro **HATES** RENT, so you’re not alone.
sethro: Good man! Besides, if forced to only pick one, I would probably pick the play.
December 8th, 2005 at 3:56 pm
aaaaaaaaah! I saw the movie last weekend and absolutel HATED it!!!
December 9th, 2005 at 12:27 am
Noooooo!! Why did so many people hate the movie??? The critics completely ripped it apart as well. :(