RENT - PLOT HOLE?- Page 2

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 2:04pm

I always thought that Maureen knew Angel from being performance artists who probably ran in similar circles.

[A Director]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 2:28pm

As Phyllis mentioned, most of Act I takes place within 3 hours. Just the main couple goes through so much in 3 hours than a lot of people throughout their whole marriage, not to mention the rest of the cast. The characters must also run very fast from one place to the other.

These comments are absurd. Everything that happens in Act I is possible and probable.
This is what happens to Roger and Mimi in the act. 1. She comes to his apartment and asks him to light her candle. 2. She goes back to her apartment in the same building.
3. Mark, Collins and Angel come to the apartment. Then Benny shows up. 4. The next time we see Mimi, she is dressing to go out. 5. Mimi goes to Roger's apartment and tries to get him to go out. He refuses. 6. Roger leaves the apartment and goes to St. Mark's Place where he meets up with Mark. Mimi shows up. Roger invites her to go to Maureen's performance. 7. Roger and Mimi go the performance. 8. Roger and Mimi go to the Life Cafe.

Yep. What a lifetime experience.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 2:42pm

I was under the impression it's only considered far-fetched if it happens in Rent.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 2:46pm

I always thought that Maureen knew Angel from being performance artists who probably ran in similar circles.

I suppose, but to me that makes it even less likely that Angel and Collins wouldn't have already met. I don't know. I guess there's a lot within that can be assumed, like how suddenly everyone talked about how Mimi and Angel were supposed to know each other before the show starts, even though there's nothing in the book to indicate that.

I've always maintained that if you start to tug too hard at the the thread of ReNt that it all unravels anyway. To me, it's always been something that was greater than the sum of its parts. A good production makes me forget any flaws. A bad one (or a bad movie) just magnifies them.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 2:53pm

The fact that everyone talks about how Mimi and Angel know each other should be enough to indicate it in the book, shouldn't it? The actors or director can do more non-textually to clarify their relationship early on, but it IS supported by the text.

The movie actually tried to fix a few of these flaws. As someone already pointed out, in the movie Mark says he is going to look for Collins, which explains why he comes back later only to leave again. The movie also shows us Mimi and Angel's friendship earlier, like when they acknowledge each other at the end of the title song (I think - it's been a while) and when she runs over to hug him at Maureen's performance.

Somewhat ironically, though, when a bad movie attempts to fix the flaws of a good show, it only serves to point out that the flaws are there in the first place. Especially when they don't go far enough to fix the flaws, or when the movie is not good.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:05pm

The actors or director can do more non-textually to clarify their relationship early on, but it IS supported by the text.

Where?

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:18pm

At Angel's funeral, Mimi says that he is one of her best friends, doesn't she? I forget the exact words, but I know it's there.

Updated On: 2/23/12 at 03:18 PM

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:21pm

HEY! IF I can't be snarky and sarcastic I want no part of your message board!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:25pm

Well, she says, that, but I don't see how that proves they knew each other before Christmas Eve ten months prior.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:55pm

I guess it doesn't, really, but I always thought they were friends before. Maybe there is something else I'm forgetting right now, or maybe I just assumed it. Also, they both have AIDS and go to the same support group (which we know because Mimi sings the affirmation to Roger), so I figured they could have met there.

Anyway, while it can be fun to nitpick these little things, I 100% agree with what you said earlier, that the show is greater than the sum of its parts and that all these little holes and inconsistencies don't really matter in the end.

Updated On: 2/23/12 at 03:55 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:14pm

Oh yeah, I'm just nitpicking it here on the board. I've seen it onstage about twenty times and except for a couple of really tragic community theatre productions, I always leave the show moved.

The movie, however, leaves me feeling like I want to stab somebody.
Updated On: 2/23/12 at 04:14 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:19pm

These comments are absurd. Everything that happens in Act I is possible and probable.

Totally. I mean the only place I've seen people meet each other in the dark, get out their insecurities, try support each other, get crazy mad at each other, try to educate one of them regarding the value of life with a mantra, attempt to make up while looking for a dealer and then declare their love for each other in less than three hours was at a bar in Chelsea - there it only took 2.5 hours.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:30pm

Which bar? This sounds uncomfortably familiar :-/

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:33pm

J's Hangout...summer of 1996.

[hotjohn]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 6:08pm

I didn't realise Rent was a documentary, I always assumed it to be a work of fiction. This "plot hole" upsets me so much I demand a refund for all the times I've seen it (especially the movie).

Seriously, I thought the current off-Broadway production was one of the best I've seen. Much more age-appropriate casting than some versions (especially the movie) and Maureen was fab!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 6:47pm

I think we need to emphasize the difference between unaccounted character time and a plot hole.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 6:59pm

I disagree that Rent's Act I spans 3 hours of real time. I think it's about 2 days or perhaps even a week. (Or perhaps the specifics of the time aren't even important) I see Mimi's "Out Tonight as happening right before midnight, and then the Life Support meeting happening the next day. Also, during "Will I?", Mimi comes out in her bathrobe, clearly messed up from a night of partying in the clubs the night before.


And for the post that mentioned West Side Story, well obviously that was based on Romeo and Juliet, where the two lovers kissed twice within minutes of meeting each other at the Capulet house. Much skankier than what happened in West Side Story. But, Shakespeare had them in love and kissing within minutes.

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 7:05pm

I disagree that Rent's Act I spans 3 hours of real time. I think it's about 2 days or perhaps even a week. (Or perhaps the specifics of the time aren't even important) I see Mimi's "Out Tonight as happening right before midnight, and then the Life Support meeting happening the next day. Also, during "Will I?", Mimi comes out in her bathrobe, clearly messed up from a night of partying in the clubs the night before.

That would be great if the show didn't start with Mark saying it's 9pm and Maureen mentioning her performance is at midnight.

9pm to 12am = 3 hours

Updated On: 2/23/12 at 07:05 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 7:35pm

Good lord. YES IT'S THE SAME NIGHT. That's why Mimi says "We won't be back before it's Christmas Day," because it's STILL CHRISTMAS EVE.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 7:48pm

Wow Phyllis I think you should do some breathing exercises or something if this is stressing you out so much you have to yell.

I see what Blaxx is saying though and yeah I agree it was all on the same night: Christmas Eve. But that line about not being back before Christmas Day, I feel that could have been hyperbole on Mimi's part. Also, as she sings that line, she mimics Jesus dying on the cross, which didn't happen on Christmas anyway. So she's not exactly being super accurate : )

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 7:51pm

I wasn't yelling. I was stressing a point you couldn't seem to get. I would have used italics but you're not worthy of HTML code.

Updated On: 2/23/12 at 07:51 PM

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 7:56pm

Pookie, all caps implies yelling. It's been years since I've been involved in a drama queen conflict on this board. So nice to re-live the glory days. I await your snarky/rude/offensive/mean-spirited/condescending response : )

[A Director]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 10:23pm

phantom4ever - rent is based on la boheme. the first two acts of the opera take place on christmas eve. the first act of rent follows the same timeline. rent's first act takes place on christmas eve from 9 p.m. to some time after midnight.

i'm speaking in a soft voice. hope it isn't too loud for you.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 11:29pm

I already said that.

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:40am

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER that so much of what is happening in Act 1 is happening at the same exact time that other things are.

So:
The phone calls/covo with Mark and Roger are happening as Angel and Collins meet
The Life Support is happening the same time Mimi & Roger fight in OT/AD

and so on and so on....it's very rarely that all the characters converge together, and that again only happens once we actually get to Maureen's performance.

It makes perfect sense that this would all be happening in 3 hours. Don't forget how much time 3 hours really is...