All Rent Reviews (Place Here) — Page 18

Roger Ebert posted his own review:

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051122/REVIEWS/51116001

You guys should reall check out the paragraph about the love triangle between ROGER, Maureen, and Joanne. It's really great guys (*notes sarcasm*). Here is a snippet:

There is a romantic triangle involving Roger, whose girlfriend Maureen (Idina Menzel) dumps him for a girlfriend of her own, Joanne (Thoms). I believed the character of Joanne, but neither Maureen nor Roger. He doesn't seem much depressed by being dumped, and Maureen is so superficial that she flirts with the cute female bartender at her partnering ceremony with Joanne. That Joanne sincerely cares for her and is really hurt I did believe. When she's accused of flirting by Joanne, Maureen sings the show-stopper "Take Me for What I Am." I wanted Joanne to reply in her own song: "OK, You're a Promiscuous Slut, So Take Me for What I Am, Your New Former Partner."

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Los Angeles Times is very negative:

http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-rent23nov23,0,4796820.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels

I find it interesting that much of the negativity seems to be about the source material. It seems as though these critics just don't get it. I'm not saying the the film is flawless, because it certainly has its flaws, but these people seem to spend much of the review bashing RENT, and not so much the movie.

I hope that made some sort of sense...I'm tired.

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A- from Entertainment Weekly.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/review/movie/0,6115,1133604_1_0_,00.html

Well the original stage production of RENT is full of major, major flaws, and the film is a pretty faithful adaptation. You can't really fault critics for pointing out that Columbus only bandaged those cracks in the foundation.

The bandage of the original production was honestly Jonathan Larson's death. Critics over looked a lot in light of that tragedy. Ten years letter they don't feel the need to be sensative to it.

Actually Jen, I'd be willing to say a healthy majority of them have seen the show. Many, including the reviewers for the Village Voice and the Post are both admitted former RENTheads.

is that online from somewhere? is there a link?

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RottenTomatoes...51% critics, but 100% users! :)

Unfortunately, he made a bad film....

When will America Discover Columbus to be a lousy director.

I just came back from a midnight showing of Rent in Cleveland. First, let me preface this by saying that theater it was held at originally did not feel the demand was high enough for a mindnight show, but after being flooded with calls they changed their minds. Good thing too, because they filled two monstrous theaters with crazy musical theatre people, so cheers on a fun night.

I have only two qualms with the film...

1. The Mountain... It's not just the mountain, but it is. Columbus's direction, though solid in some places, often feels cheesy and amateurish... i.e. the mountain.

2. The cuts to Goodbye Love and (all of) Halloween just kill me. I realize that it may have been a time thing, but the cuts could have been made elsewhere, because I think Mark's character development is seriously hindered without his fight with Roger. The cut of Halloween (though a personal favorite) is not as detrimental (due to the fact that we get the song's message in other parts of the film), but that fight changes the whole dynamic of Mark and Roger's relationship, particularly enhancing the moment on the rooftop during WYO.

That said I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Wonderful performances from the entire cast (particularly Jesse, Rosario, and Anthony). I understand the critic's problems with it, and it is by no means perfect, but its current rating on rotten tomatoes is not a good indication of the film's quality.

p.s. It was really cool getting to meet Kyle tonight. It was actually the first time I had met anyone from the board in person. I look forward to his recap of the festivities of his trip to the premiere.

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 03:38 AM

My Review:

This is going to be short as I am conducting a 2nd grade Grandparents' Day music program in about 5 hours....

I LOVED it. It exceeded all my expectations and then some.

I thought I would cry through the whole thing, I thought all the anticipation would finally just release into two hours of tears.

I was wrong.....I didn't cry once during the film. In fact, I didn't move....I am not even sure I breathed. I sat captivated, jaw dropped, and shaking.

Until the final shot of Angel at the end of Mark's film and I started bawling, and I mean absolutely bawling. It was the strangest thing I've ever experienced (I am a pretty reserved person who remains very in control of my emotions).

Whoever has been criticizing Adam is off their rocker, I thought he was fantastic. In fact, there really is not an acting performance I have gripe about at all. Everyone was really very tremendous in their roles.

Jesse, of course, stole the show. But, everyone's been saying that.

I did miss "Halloween" and "Goodbye Love". I'll have to see the deleted scenes, but for now I trust that Chris didn't include them for good reason. However, I did feel a bit of an awkward jump into "What You Own". I wanted more of a transition there.

The cliff ruined "What You Own". Honestly, that was just ridiculous. What on earth was Chris thinking there!?!?!

But, other than those two small issues, I thought this was a glorious and beautiful work.

I feel so energized right now, I don't know that I am going to be able to sleep tonight.

I hope to get a group of people to come with me to see it again tomorrow. They can't give me the "I have to work tomorrow" excuse this time.

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Updated On: 11/23/05 at 03:59 AM

E! on-line's review is here ---

http://www.eonline.com/Reviews/Facts/Movies/Reviews/0,1052,89058,00.html

pretty decent --- they gave it a B+ and say "The once revolutionary story may seem a tad dated now, and Chris Columbus' restrained direction doesn't reflect the grit and guts of the material, but most numbers, like the passionate anthem "La Vie Boheme," get it totally right. Since it's all about the music anyway, and the performers have impressive pipes, this is a Rent to own."

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