An Objective Review of "RENT" — Page 2

Oops. Sorry. I try to make sure I say "seems" in my posts, but I slipped.

"I think if you see this show and you get it, you see that it's not a "woe is me, the great artist" complex."

But what is "getting it". Isn't one of the best things about theatre (and art in general) the differing interpretations (within reason) that people have of each show? I mean, I come from a family and a culture that encourages hard work. I've always been a hard-worker and when I see lazy people who have the potential to do amazing things, it really aggrivates me. And that's what the characters in RENT seem to be. Yeah, they may be great artists for all I know, but they're not making art right now (Roger's struggles to write, Mark's to make a film, etc.). It's almost as if they see art as the most important thing with friends at a close second and that nothing else matters. That those who seek work outside of their art are traitors. But the fact remains that art doesn't pay well (as we know, lol) and you have to support yourself somehow.

Argh. I don't know. I may have to see this in theaters after all in order to better argue my point. We'll see.

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But why is Benny choosing now to collect the rent? I could be wrong, but isn't it a ploy to get them to convince Maureen to cancel the protest? Sure...he's being a dick...but isn't he trying, in the end, to help his friends out. I mean...yeah...Alison killed herself (at least she does in the play...in the movie, it's nebulous) and he's gone through rehab. Ya know what helps get someone's life back together? A job...and that's what Benny has to offer. A job doing something they all love. It's something I kind of overlooked 10 years ago, but now can't.

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I agree, robbie, there are definitely flaws in the writing. I wonder how much Larson would have changed, had he been able to. Or if they aren't flaws, I see what you mean about the characters' shooting themselves in the foot.

But, flaws and all, I really like Rent--and I had forgotten that because I hadn't listened to the CD in a long time and hadn't seen the show since I was 23 myself. And like Wicked, all the hype and obsessed fans started to get on my nerves.

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The arguments about Roger not having a job are ridiculous. If he had a decent job (or Marc, for that matter) there'd be no play. The whole point is summed up in La Vie Boheme. You might not agree with it, but that's the "life that they've chosen." Benny allowed them to live that life until he recinded -- as privileged people ourselves who presumably work for a living, we may not be able to relate directly to Marc and Roger's situation, but I'll bet you that if you were an artist and were given the opportunity to live the life you wanted free of charge, you'd be pretty damn outraged when your supposed "friend" came and took it out from under you as well.

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