What was wrong with the RENT movie?- Page 2
What was wrong with the RENT movie?
romgitsean
Broadway Star Joined: 4/7/08
#25What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 12:17pm
Jordan, I respectfully disagree, only because I don't think Daphne could've done it on film, but to counterpoint, there was no way Rosario could've done it on stage. If you heard her screentests, you'd know Rosario had a lot of help with her singing.
I agree with Best12. I wasn't there and I didn't know Jonathan, but I know several people who did, and while in a sense it doesn't quite reflect that era to a tee, I don't think any film adaptation could. Is it watered down? Yes, but I think for the better on film. Agreed though with Idina overselling and the cliff during What You Own, though. I don't know. I like it, but I agree, it isn't the best.
Next On The List :: Clybourne Park, Once, Streetcar, BOM
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#26What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 12:29pm
If you hear the movie, you'd know Rosario had a lot of help with her singing.
#27What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 12:46pm
The entire movie needed a new cast. To exclude Daphne was really unprofessional and actually cruel. Basically them saying, "you look super old". She was very gracious and she dodged a huge bullet, although the payday was nice Im sure.
The close-ups on Anthony and Adam were just wrong. They looked so old. Adam reads young on stage. Anthony doesn't read young anywhere.
The movie needed to be re-thought, re-conceptualized. It was bad.
#28What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 1:21pm
I'm not sure if Rent could ever have really been a great film. I would have loved to have seen a professionally filmed stage version, not like the last performance that was filmed, but the way spike Lee did with passing strange.
by the way wasn't spike lee the original director of choice for Rent? (would have been interesting to see what he did with the material)
I agree with most of the people on here, using the original cast was a big no no. Rosario Dawson and Tracie Thoms to me were the saving grace of the film, especially Rosario. Even though she isn't the greatest singer, she abosolutly nailed that character.
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#29What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 1:29pm
Daphne was also pregnant during filming. Now whether she was passed over because she was pregnant, or decided to get pregnant after being passed over I do not know.
I do admire Fredi Walker for saying "No, I'm too old to be playing that part on film" and letting it go.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#30What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 1:47pmI dunno, I disagree that Rosario nailed the character. Her singing was downright boring. No passion whatsoever IMO.
#31What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 1:50pm
Also, "Take Me Out Tonight" made that club look like a pretty good gig. An upscale club where she made A LOT of money. That made no sense whatsoever.
She needed to work in a dive.
#32What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 1:51pm
Spike Lee had been attached though I am not sure if the production rights were in the hands of others but it sounded like that film was taking a very different casting direction. I am pretty certain Justin Timberlake was attached to the project when Spike was believed to have been on it.
Robert DeNiro, who produced it, allegedly try to pull Scorsese into the fold. Scorsese cited other projects (it may have been during The Aviator period) but who knows how much say he would have had in casting.
#33What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 7:01pmTimberlake would have been such a great choice. Oh well.
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#34What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 7:07pm
There was a supposed version of the Spike Lee script floating around online and I read it. It seems that it would have been much better than what we got. I had no problem with members of the original cast being in it, I had a problem with all of the cuts and some lyrics becoming dialouge. I also had a problem with the addition of Joanne and Maureen's ceremony reception.
#35What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 7:15pmThere was nothing wrong with the RENT movie... in my opinion.
#36What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 7:23pm
Maybe it had something to do with members of the cast asking people on this site, who had seen a preview to change there reviews to be more favorable!
But really the whole show was a hot mess, if Larson had not died. reNt would never have opened on broadway. As simple as that!
#37What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 5/30/11 at 7:40pmThe only place this show works well is on the CD.
#38What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 1:21pmBUMP What did peole think of Tracie Thoms in the movie? I'm watching her on the FILMED LIVE ON BWAY dvd right now and quite enjoy her in the role
broadwayboy101
Broadway Star Joined: 3/20/08
#39What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 1:30pmI think the main problems were the casting and directing - as has been stated many times before, the cast was just too old to believably portray a group of 20-year-old bohemians. As far as directing goes, I greatly admire Chris Columbus' directing when he's given an original script to work with (ex. Mrs. Doubtfire), but when he's given an adaptation it's generally not anywhere near as good.
#40What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 1:33pmsometimes lively Broadway shows like RENT just do not translate into great films...HAIRSPRAY, the muscial not the original film, was another show that to me did not work as a movie...the live connection you get from shows like RENT and HAIRSPRAY make them shows that need to be seen in person, not from a distance which is what film does...in my opinion...
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#41What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 1:43pmI thought Tracie Thoms was much better on the video of the stage show than she was in the movie. I found her, inexplicably, to be one of the stagiest actors in the film. And during the opening "Seasons of Love" her eyes kept darting around like a crazy person.
Steel Pier Fan
Featured Actor Joined: 4/11/11
#42What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 2:06pm
broadwaybabywannabee- You didn't think Hairspray was a good film?
I thought it was one of the best musical adaptations.
Updated On: 6/9/11 at 02:06 PM
#43What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 2:15pmSteel Pier Fan...no i did not like it at all...and i love filmed musicals...i guess the experience of seeing the show on Broadway with all the original cast still on stage was one of the most exciting nights i have had in the theatre...that cast worked it's ass off for the audience, and i did not get that sense of excitement watching the movie...plus i hated QUEEN LATIFAH in the movie...dancing shows like HAIRSPRAY, are to me, better seen on stage than in film...the only major movie version of a great so-called dance heavy show that worked for me, was the filmed version of WEST SIDE STORY...
Steel Pier Fan
Featured Actor Joined: 4/11/11
#44What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 2:18pmIt's funny I didn't like West Side Story but I hate everything about that show. Including the score.
#45What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 6:55pm^ WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! You hate EVERYTHING about West Side Story?!!! including the score?!!! WOW!
#47What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 7:03pmReading that almost made me cry. I mean I respect the fact that everyone has a right to their opinion but it's almost inconceivable to me that someone would not find any redeeming factors in a show like "West Side Story".
Steel Pier Fan
Featured Actor Joined: 4/11/11
#48What was wrong with the RENT movie?
Posted: 6/9/11 at 7:54pmI honestly HATE West Side Story. But I can respect that you like it. I think it is stupid though. Not that because you like it you are. I just find the show dumb.
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