The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread- Page 32

[teddy1996]

Posted: 6/11/21 at 6:25pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Also, WHEN did you live in Washington Heights or visited last? The area has been getting quite popular as an area to live in so gentrification is booming in the area. As many who live in NYC, like I do, we’ve seen all areas being embraced. That stigma of “bad neighborhood” has been fizzling quickly in the last few years. I have at least 10 friends who live in Washington Heights and they’re all pasty-white All American. "

i have visited washington heights all my life. i have family that live there. light skinned latinos live there as well of course but i saw more brown to dark skinned afro latinos than light skinned latinos. they represent a large part of washington heights. 

Updated On: 6/11/21 at 06:25 PM

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 6/11/21 at 6:41pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "Question for those of you who have gotten to see the film:

Is there any sex scenes or overlyexplicit content? Some curse words aren't a concern for me, but if there are a lot I'd like to know beforehand.

Thinking about taking my niece and nephew who are 10 and 11. They love singing Hamilton songs and I want them to see Lin'sshow that came before it."

HAMILTON is a porno compared to family safe IN THE HEIGHTS. IN THE HEIGHTS is more appropriate for their ages than HAMILTON."

LOL. True. They haven't watched it. They just know the songs and know to not sing along the "bad words."

[teddy1996]

Posted: 6/11/21 at 6:53pm

just to clarify things, i never said that there wasn’t representation in this movie. there was representation but i felt like it needed more dark skinned afro latinx people in leading and supporting roles. that is all. afro latinos make up a huge part of washington heights and to see them just be backup dancers and not be in leading roles is underwhelming. this movie is still a huge step in the right direction because we have never seen a movie with a latinx cast told in this narrative before and i think that’s beautiful thing. but we still have a long way to go. 

Updated On: 6/11/21 at 06:53 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/11/21 at 9:11pm

teddy1996 said: "just to clarify things, i never said that there wasn’t representation in this movie. there was representation but i felt like it needed more dark skinned afro latinx people in leading and supporting roles. that is all. afro latinos make up ahuge part of washington heights and to see them just be backup dancers and not be in leading rolesis underwhelming. this movie is still a huge step in the right direction because we have never seen a movie with a latinx cast told in this narrative before and i think that’s beautiful thing. but we still have a long way to go."

Please. Just stop with your non-sensical tangents and your claims against this film that are not true. You've been doing this since before the film was even released. Yes, afro latinos make up part of Washington Heights as do others, and this film had a fair representation of the multi-cultural landscape that is the backbone of that neighborhood and that community.

Leslie Grace is afro-latina she played "Nina", which is a leading role. Dasha Polanco, is afro-latina, she played "Cuca", a supporting role - very heavily featured in the film. Noah Catala played "Graffiti Pete" another supporting role who was featured...also afro-latino. So your argument that there wasn't afro-latinx representation within the main core cast and that afro-latinx were relegated to the background goes right out the window.  

I'm done, cause you my friend are a broken record...
 

Updated On: 6/11/21 at 09:11 PM

[teddy1996]

Posted: 6/11/21 at 9:54pm

CarlosAlberto said: "teddy1996 said: "just to clarify things, i never said that there wasn’t representation in this movie. there was representation but i felt like it needed more dark skinned afro latinx people in leading and supporting roles. that is all. afro latinos make up ahuge part of washington heights and to see them just be backup dancers and not be in leading rolesis underwhelming. this movie is still a huge step in the right direction because we have never seen a movie with a latinx cast told in this narrative before and i think that’s beautiful thing. but we still have a long way to go."

Please. Just stop with yournon-sensical tangents and yourclaims against this film that are not true. You've been doing this since before the film was even released. Yes, afro latinos make up part of Washington Heights as do others, and this film had a fair representation of the multi-cultural landscape that is the backbone of that neighborhood and that community.

Leslie Grace is afro-latina she played "Nina", which is a leading role. Dasha Polanco, is afro-latina, she played "Cuca", a supporting role - very heavily featured in the film. Noah Catala played "Graffiti Pete" another supporting role who was featured...also afro-latino.So your argument that there wasn't afro-latinx representation within the main core cast and that afro-latinx were relegated to the backgroundgoes right out the window.

I'm done, cause you my friend are a broken record...
"

it is not nonsense and i am not a broken record. so stop downplaying my intelligence. and btw, i had no clue leslie and dascha were afro latinos. and cuca wasn’t really featured that much. she barely had any lines. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/11/21 at 10:30pm

As with many debates on this board, there can be truth on both sides. 

Representation is already a difficult topic to discuss, because different people have different definitions of what is "enough." Adding colorism into the conversation creates an additional layer of subjectivity, because it forces people to examine and categorize the darkness of people's skin, which exists on a wide spectrum, across different ethnic groups. The fact that Leslie Grace is, in fact, of Afro-Latina descent, and yet is still relatively light-skinned, demonstrates just how tricky this conversation can be. And yet, colorism is real, and it's insidious - so as uncomfortable as it is, it's a topic that needs discussion. 

It's true that there's a significant contingency of people in Washington Heights, particularly Dominican, who have even darker skin than the actors in this movie, to the point where their African roots are noticeable. It's not everyone in Washington Heights, but it's definitely a contingency that makes up one of the core ethnic groups in that community. Dark-skinned Afro-Latino people are rarely represented in media to begin with, so it's understandable that it might sting to see a film that centers around your community, without seeing people who look like you in any of the numerous central roles. 

But also, the actors in ITH are observably non-white, with skin that is notably darker than that of white people, and it can still be an important step in representation because of that. Even while we acknowledge that more work could've been done to diversify skin colors, especially among the characters who are known to be from ethnic groups that frequently have darker skin. Both things can be true at the same time! 

But hey, at least we've come a long way from a few months ago, when someone on this message board insinuated that white people should get to be in In the Heights because some Latino people are white. 

@ctorres - I'm not sure if you were joking about "ugly representation" but I actually think you're right. 

Updated On: 6/11/21 at 10:30 PM

[teddy1996]

Posted: 6/11/21 at 10:36pm

JBroadway said: "As with many debates on this board, there can be truth on both sides.

Representation is already a difficult topic to discuss, because different people have different definitions of what is "enough." Adding colorism into the conversation creates an additional layer of subjectivity, because it forces people to examine and categorize the darkness of people's skin, which exists on a wide spectrum, across different ethnic groups. The fact that Leslie Grace is, in fact, of Afro-Latina descent, and yet is still relatively light-skinned, demonstrates just how tricky this conversation can be. And yet, colorism is real, and it's insidious - so as uncomfortable as it is, it's a topic that needs discussion.

It's true that there's a significant contingency of people in Washington Heights, particularly Dominican, who have even darker skin than the actors in this movie, to the point where their African roots are noticeable. It's not everyone in Washington Heights, but it's definitely a contingency that makes up one of the core ethnic groups in that community. Dark-skinned Afro-Latino people are rarely represented in media to begin with, so it's understandable that it might sting to see a film that centers around your community, without seeing people who look like you in any of the numerouscentralroles.

But also, the actors in ITH are observably non-white, with skin that is notably darker than that of white people, and it can still be an important step in representation because of that. Even while we acknowledge that more work could'vebeen done to diversify skin colors, especially among the characters who are known to be from ethnic groups that frequently have darker skin.Both things can be true at the same time!

But hey, at least we've come a long way from a few months ago, when someone on this message board insinuatedthat white people should get to be in In the Heights because some Latino people are white.

@ctorres - I'm not sure if you were joking about "ugly representation" but I actually think you're right."

thank you 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 12:19am

teddy1996 said: "Sutton Ross said: "You have no clue about anything, it seems. "

insult me all you want. i really don’t care. i’m not even gonna waste anymore time arguing with anybody anymore. i’m done."

Smartest comment you've made on this thread, BB. 

[dented146]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 1:34am

I saw this on Broadway and enjoyed it very much. Just got back from the film. IMO it is absolutely fabulous. It pushed every button and thrilled me to death. 

It is fun to read the older posts were everyone is speculating what will be. And it's interesting reading some of the criticism.

I loved it. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 1:53am

I just finished streaming this with my family tonight - I couldn't pass up on a busy NY sports night yesterday.

Very few films can get away with a weak screenplay yet still be fun and enjoyable. Fortunately, In the Heights is one of those films, thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda's earworm melodies and brilliant lyrics, Jon Chu's electric direction, and the winning cast from top to bottom - not a weak link en el barrio. Anthony Ramos is a bona fide star. Sutton is absolutely right by saying Teddy has "never been north of 96th Street," as I live close to that area (UES), walk north all the time, and almost always see a diverse array of people passing by, not unlike the denizens of Washington Heights as seen on my TV screen. 

 I never saw Heights live on B'way, but I had heard all about it - I love the OBCR as well - and I could tell Lin built on the success of his catchy score and contemporary vernacular to make Hamilton even better. My mother was grinning from ear to ear throughout "Carnaval del Barrio" and Daphne Rubin-Vega shocked the hell out of me in the best possible way; I had never been a massive fan of her singing voice, even in Rent. And as he did in "Crazy Rich Asians" and the surprisingly entertaining "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never", Chu knows how to give musical numbers lots of life. The staging of "96,000", "Carnaval", "Paciencia y Fe", "When the Sun Goes Down", and the title song just blew me away. 

The movie as a whole felt overlong, like The Prom. I thought the screenplay was generally pretty bad, and many scenes dragged a bit. The whole Sonny backstory and DACA implementation felt like a forced, woke, last-minute addition. But the positives highly outweigh the negatives. It didn't annoy me that seven songs were cut from B'way, but kudos to Lac and Bill for sneaking both "Sunrise" and "Atención" into the underscore, especially later on. 

The post-credits scene was sweet. I saw Lin's parents and Patrick Page make cameos, but not Seth Stewart (where was he... anyone?). "You'll Be Back" as the hold music - genius. The Doreen Montalvo tribute - very touching. I met her during the final weeks of On Your Feet!, after my second/final time seeing it, and I remember her for her warmth and kindness even if I spent just a few seconds with her. I hope the company of Doubtfire dedicates their first preview/opening night to Ms. Montalvo - a beautiful soul gone much too soon. 

Go, go, go, "tell everyone you know" that In the Heights is mandatory viewing for this life-affirming, ecstatic summer out of quarantine. Muy bien, Warner Bros., muy bien.

4/5

 

 

Updated On: 6/12/21 at 01:53 AM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 5:33am

@Jordan Levinson, Seth Stewart was the bartender in the club.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 9:43am

The movie as a whole felt overlong, like The Prom. I thought the screenplay was generally pretty bad, and many scenes dragged a bit. The whole Sonny backstory and DACA implementation felt like a forced, woke, last-minute addition.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt this way about the screenplay/storyline. IMO the stage version had a fairly weak book as well, while the fantastic score made up for it. However, I'd been hoping that the movie would strengthen the story structure and I don't think it did. I also didn't like the framing device.

I should add that, just like with the stage show, I overall liked it. And it was a good musical movie. The singing (well, okay, I have to be honest that I didn't think LMM was good as the Piragua Guy but I don't like his singing in general so no surprise there), dancing, and direction were great. It was refreshing to have a movie musical that knew how to show choreography, and also overall had a cast that could sing.

[binau]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 9:51am

Sadly I don’t think the talented cast, interesting direction and catchy score did save what I think are fundamental issues with the structure and script of this show. So a little disappointed. But it’s the best movie the show could have hoped for in my opinion and something that everyone involved should be proud of.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 12:54pm

Saw this last night at the movie theater (first time in the theater since the pandemic!) and I found it absolutely thrilling. Felt like I could barely breathe during 96,000, Paceincia y Fe, and When the Sun Goes Down. I already knew I would love the music and the cast, but was not entirely prepared for how visually beautiful it would be. The other biggest surprise was all the changes to the script and the order of some of the songs/scenes. I appreciated all of the added storylines given to some of the minor characters - particulary Sonny. If you are trying to decide whether to see this in the theater - GO. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 1:07pm

binau said: "Sadly I don’t think the talented cast, interesting direction and catchy score did save what I think are fundamental issues with the structure and script of this show. So a little disappointed. But it’s the best movie the show could have hoped for in my opinion and something that everyone involved should be proud of. "

I pretty much agree with this. I actually think I enjoyed the film more than having seen it on bway.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 1:40pm

Watched it on Max. Not a fan of Hamilton but we enjoyed the film immensely. Dance numbers were off the wall . How this was filmed during a pandemic is amazing. If I am wrong and they were not filmed during it I apologize.Kudos to all the talented performers

It was a shame they could not fit the United Palace into it.This is the old Lowes 175th St. theater .Previously used by Rev IKE. It was used a number of times in tv shows. Middle Eastern design and drop dead gorgeous.

Oh well Have fun one and all those returning to Broadway .

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 1:57pm

Mr Roxy said: "Watched it on Max. Not a fan of Hamilton but we enjoyed the film immensely. Dance numbers were off the wall . How this was filmed during a pandemic is amazing. If I am wrong and they were not filmed during it I apologize.Kudos to all the talented performers

It was a shame they could not fit the United Palace into it.This is the old Lowes 175th St. theater .Previously used by Rev IKE. It was used a number of times in tv shows. Middle Eastern design and drop dead gorgeous.

Oh well Have fun one and all those returning to Broadway ."

Roxy, this was filmed throughout summer 2019.

[sherie_worshipper]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 2:22pm

Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but…

http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2021/06/12/box-office-in-the-heights-disappoints-with-5m-friday/

Updated On: 6/12/21 at 02:22 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 2:38pm

I mean honestly? Should we really care? In the end it'll break even and maybe show a little profit, but this is not intended to be a franchise starter. Yeah, it's great when musicals do great but it existing at all is a statement.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 3:06pm

It's also during a pandemic when a lot of people may not want to go to the theater quite yet (I'm one of them). 

Posted: 6/12/21 at 3:14pm

SporkGoddess said: "It's also during a pandemic when a lot of people may not want to go to the theater quite yet (I'm one of them)."

The estimates took that into account, and it still underperformed expectations.

It has a really good Cinemascore rating (A) and rave reviews, but the broader audience isn't really familiar with the material or the stars, so it makes sense that it wouldn't come shooting out of the gate, but instead might take some time to build an audience. I wouldn't say it's a failure yet.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 3:24pm

Well, let's also not discount AT&T's suicidally short-sighted decision to release all of WB's releases for the year on HBO MAX day and date for the brief goosing of subscription numbers. It hurts established franchises like Conjuring just the other week, but it REALLY hurts a movie like In the Heights. We'll see how the next weeks play out. Musicals tend to be very leggy even when they open small. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 3:27pm

I agree with TheatreFan4 - were any of us really holding our breath that this would be a massive financial hit? I think most of us on this message board are pretty accustomed to musicals being a somewhat niche market, and therefore would’ve surprised to see movie-musicals underperform at the box office. I can say confidently that this film’s popularity has already exceeded my personal expectations quite a lot, even if box office numbers aren’t as high as the studio hoped.

[NameGreg]

Posted: 6/12/21 at 3:33pm

Wasn’t too familiar with the show before but I really loved this. Thought it was visually thrilling, the music was excellent, and it had a fantastic cast.

Always liked Anthony Ramos and he didn’t disappoint here, with it being the by far the best I’ve seen from him yet. Really hope this opens up some new doors for him. Corey Hawkins was a total delight and delivered some thrilling vocals, and Olga Merediz was brilliant in her role reprisal. To me they were the standouts.

I was Laos impressed by Leslie Grace, I wouldn’t have guessed it’s her film debut. Also found Daphne Rubin-Vega to be a lot of fun, same goes for her sidekicks. I was admittedly a little mixed one Melissa Barrera. I think she worked well with the other cast members, but when it was just focused on her, I wasn’t really feeling it. Still, that didn’t detract much from the experience, just think someone else could’ve done more. 
 

Everyone else was very solid. Jimmy Smits is always great, Gregory Diaz IV was adorable without overdoing it, Lin Manuel Miranda gave one of the best vocal performances I’ve ever heard from him, Chris Jackson and Patrick Page’s cameos were a nice touch, and Marc Anthony was a big surprise in a great way.

Early in the year, but I hope this can get some awards attention down the line. It also makes me feel very good about John M. Chu directing Wicked. His work here was simply sublime and I’d love to see what else he can do on this turf.

Overall, just an incredibly charming, heartfelt film. Definitely recommend it.

Updated On: 6/12/21 at 03:33 PM

Posted: 6/12/21 at 3:37pm

A hit would've meant more movie musicals. Studio executives are dumb animals that just try and recreate whatever the last success was.

So in that respect I do care about its success, because I would personally like more musicals to be made. If ITH fails it will make them think twice the next time someone pitches a musical.