Munk's RENT film review

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:26am

Updated On: 11/13/05 at 02:26 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:34am

Aw Munk..Munk...another fab review. We are lucky to have you round these parts.

Technically, I think very little of Chbosky's draft made it into the film (though I know "Tango" and "Without You" are pretty much from his treatment). Columbus pretty much wrote his own script and I think Chbosky's name remains on for WGA reasons, but I digress.

No comments on the actual film other then...is there going to be anyone left to pay money to see it on opening day, because it seems like 95% of BWW is seeing it for free in an advance screening...
Updated On: 11/11/05 at 02:34 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:34am

I'm getting so sad reading all the bad reviews. Thanks for your detailed review though.

[safety_in_falsehood]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:35am

It's sad to hear that it wasn't a very good movie, but honestly I was not expecting it to be great. Chris Columbus directed it after all, and from the moment I read that the second half of Goodbye Love and Halloween were out, I knew it was going to be a shambles.

A sad thing to happen to such a wonderful musical.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:37am

Updated On: 11/13/05 at 02:37 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:40am

What was the response around you Munk? Were other people as confused by the second half as I would imagine they would be, or is it a case of not missing what you don't know about.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:41am

Updated On: 11/13/05 at 02:41 AM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:44am

Updated On: 11/13/05 at 02:44 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:47am

Have they Changed back to a "limited release" on the 23rd of November, was on a site today and it now said limited cities from the 23rd.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:49am

I think it's nationwide 23rd.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:52am

Updated On: 11/13/05 at 02:52 AM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:53am

Thanks for the review, Munk.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:57am

Actually, having Mimi sing "Without You" about her drugs is half brilliant...

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 2:58am

That had better be sarcasm, Mr. Bennett...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 3:06am

Well only "half" sarcasm. Listen, I think if you established clearly Mimi's drug dependency early in the film, showed her trying to break it for Roger and then ultimately surrendering to her addiction after she and Roger break could make the double meaning of "Without You" being about the drugs and the boy -- brilliant.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 4:27am

I am seeing the movie in two days...though I havn't seen it on stage.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 4:52am

I am sad and worried now ! munk is a TRUE fan of the show and if he didn't like it, that means that the film is not what we all had hoped and expected !

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 6:35am

I knew this was going to happen...as soon as Columbus was attached the project seemed doomed.

As far as Without You, having seen the show very recently, it's placement in the show suggests that it is partly about her drugs, but it's also about Roger, and about Collins and Angel, and about Roger and April...I absolutely LOVE the way this song is staged, giving a little food for thought to anyone looking but not bashing you over the head with all the parallells. it sounds like that's what Columbus is doing. And anyone who's seen any of his previous work knows he's not subtle (can you say Stepmom?)

[pab]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 7:01am

My, how the worm begins to turn...

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 7:10am

If Margo posts a similar review any time soon, then 80% of the board will be falling over themselves to agree that the movie is terrible.

[One Song Glory]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 7:15am

I was so excited to see the movie, but this sort of scares me. Oh well, I'll still see it I suppose.

[kas]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 7:56am

oh my f-ing god - the Britney Spears reference was the funniest thing I've heard! When I watch it, I will totally think of that!!!

[zzannahk]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 8:13am

I'm sorry, did I miss something? Has Mimi met Angel? Wait...Angel is with Collins? Did I miss something? No, I didn't. Columbus just forgot to develop and relationship WHATSOEVER. This song ends terribly.

they do know each other from earlier here's the plot hole

at the funeral:
MIMI "Angel was one of my closest friends. It's right that it's Halloween, because it was her favorite holiday. I knew we'd hit it off from the moment we met – that skinhead was bothering her and she said she was more of a man than he'd ever be and more of a woman than he'd ever get…"

if the only met last Christmas how would she know about Halloween? they would have never spent the holiday together
and put together on Collins' "A new member of the Alphabet City avant-garde" i always thought implied Angel had just moved to town, thus has never spent a Halloween in New York.

please correct me if i'm wrong or if it makes more sense in the movie

[TennesseeTwang]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 9:09am

"If Margo posts a similar review any time soon, then 80% of the board will be falling over themselves to agree that the movie is terrible."

What's wrong with that? His opinion is respected because his reviews are so literate and well-reasoned.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 9:13am

Respect his reviews and his opinions fine. But it makes me laugh how people will clamour to agree with him rather than think for themselves. His review of Sweeney Todd's current revival was a real case in point.