RENT SCREENING review (11/8/05) — Page 5

On Tarantino:
Yeah, he's got the edgy thing going, but he's edgy in a, "This movie will be all about me and what innovative movies I make" kind of way.
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That's another funny thing about him. He really isn't innovative. He's a plagiarist. Scenes from his films are virtual copies of scenes from other films. He almost gets away with this by copying from the obscure films of famous directors (i.e. Scorsese's "Boxcar Bertha"). But... no.

Updated On: 11/9/05 at 11:29 PM

"That's another funny thing about him. He really isn't innovative. He's a plagiarist. Scenes from his films are virtual copies of scenes from other films."

Oh come on, those are just homages, Evelyn.

Hehe.

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Yikes. I think this is a disaster. I don't think any rent fans have criticized or been too concerned about the cuts (Contact, etc) prior to this. But come on, Goodbye Love is essential to this story! Columbus claims to be such a fan of RENT but I can't see how any huge fan would see no problem in removing the end of Goodbye Love.

In any event, I was wondering if it was removed because of Rosario's acting/singing. Personally while I think she is very good on the CD, I absolutely hate the way she sings Goodbye Love. It seems to lack emotion, she definitely doesn't sound like she is very sick and dying. Really, to me she just sings the song like she does any other. Perhaps it was filmed this way and got a bad reaction because people didn't BELIEVE she was sick and so he had no choice but to remove it. Maybe it would have been worse with it in. I don't know.

I am now very nervous about this film.

Oh hmmm, that is interesting. Has anyone commented about what in particular was wrong with the staging? I didn't read anything about this but will beging to search.

I'm definitely trying to keep an open mind, but it's getting hard.

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Michael,
I have been holding off writing a review till the film officially opens and becaus the version I saw was a rough cut. I will still wait. But I must say .. your review hit the nail on the head. Particularly the second half of the film.

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I just want to add that whatever my issues with the film -- and I had many -- I also found parts of it worthwhile and near perfect (the tango, santa fe, etc). It isn't a total wash. I still think the cutting of Goodbye Love is a huge mistake, as I still think speaking the recitative was also a strange choice when mixed with other, non-rhyming spoken dialogue willy-nilly. But I hope everyone still goes and makes their minds up for themselves as I'm sure they will. It's still worth seeing, even if it's frustrating and at times messy. And its successes and failures are studies in what to do and not do. I'm sure like most movies, the response will be devisive. Some of you now worried about the film will end up loving it, and some of you prepared to be blown away will feel they were dealt a blow instead. Isn't that the very nature of art? I think all discussions, positive and negative, are worthwhile and everyone's point of view is equally true - because it's just a point of view, and the view changes from wherever you're standing.

Lastly, I do hope at some point the people involved with the movie stand behind what it is, instead of defending what it (maybe) isn’t. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished. It won’t be everything to everybody – nothing can be – but I’m sure it will be everything to enough.

"Oh come on, those are just homages, Evelyn.

Hehe."

LOL, a homage implies some reverence. Copying a scene without acknowledging where it came from or making it meaningful on its own terms is just plagiarism.

Right, that's why I put "LOL" there.

"She always has the last word."

"Does she? Does she?"

(Yes.)

On top of what MJohnson said, while I don't think it quite works as a stand-alone work in itself, I do enjoy it as a document of the music and the performances of the cast--which is how I can stand to watch it multiple times, heh. After being disappointed on the first view I was able to accept it a little more for what it is on second view. I still can't say I like it as a film of its own accord (and my official review will be mixed), but there are some good bits in it, and I know many others will enjoy it. Actually, given how well Sony is marketing it, I wouldn't be surprised if the youth takes to it and it becomes a commercial success in some way. It won't win awards, but it could become a popular success. Could.

I can now read what MJ wrote after seeing a screening tonight...this revirew had me petrified, but, I can now say I respectfully disagree with almost everything.

I do miss Goodbye Love, and I DO think we should be told April committed suicide...but none of that mattered to me when watching the film. I don't see how it's confusing, because I honestly tried to get in the mindset of someone who couldn't "fill in the blanks" like I could. You have the devestating funeral (I did see Jesse cry, but um, oh well) and you get the whole big blow up, you see Roger leave, he comes back, etc. It's not that hard to follow. The audience I was with ate it up, and I think only my whole row was RENTheads. I never should have doubted this cast, because they are amazing. Without You was...I can't even discribe...It ripped my heart out, and I didn't stop baweling through the finale. I'm still compiling my thoughts, I casn't think straight. I have no idea how critics will respond, I asm not a film critic and I am not picky about movies, and since i'm already a biased RENThead, take this semi-review for what it's worth. All I know is that I was worried for nothing. Still crossing my fingers for Oscar gold!!

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Updated On: 11/10/05 at 10:01 PM