why is the RENT movie set in 89?- Page 2

[MargoChanning]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#25

Posted: 1/2/06 at 7:40pm

A century is a 100 years.
A millenium is 1000 years.

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

[badreligion]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#26

Posted: 1/2/06 at 9:36pm

Honestly, they didn't have to indicate what year it was at all. Alot of this and the critics reactions and nitpicking is because a year was chosen. No year being mentioned in the play worked for everyone, it would have worked for everyone in the film. The Pre-gentrification of alphabet city i do understand, but lets remember the gentrification happened over a pretty long period of time and isn't done yet. Emcee-I loved the OBC of Rent and was obsessed with the play, relax a little about people discussing the flaws cos people will, mistakes were made, people were careless, and the film was fair - good. Personally a different director and another work over of the script could and I stress could have made the movie a whole lot better.

[eatlasagna]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#27

Posted: 1/2/06 at 11:25pm

damnit... is anyone here allowed to even ask a question anymore without people thinking they are trying to bad mouth or nitpick something? geez people... relax... i was just asking why they chose to set it 89... that was it... nothing more...

[Chloe]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#28

Posted: 1/2/06 at 11:58pm

As I recall, Anthony Rapp indicated early on that no specific year would be mentioned, but the costumes and set design would suggest the late '80's/early '90's. It would be interesting to know why that plan was changed.

What occurs to me is that a period look with no specific date attached could have led to a lot of second guessing and accusations of vagueness. As it is, even with the date I've seen criticisms that the movie shows NYC as way dirtier than it is. I guess some people don't realize how much things have changed.

[luvtheEmcee]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#29

Posted: 1/3/06 at 12:01am

heh. I've heard the opposite -- that's it's too pretty!

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[colleen_lee]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#30

Posted: 1/3/06 at 12:52am

I think there would have been complaints either way. Without a specified time frame I am sure there would have been people taking issues with the vagueness and inconsistencies in that respect.

"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. " --Sueleen Gay

[RENTingFAME]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#31

Posted: 1/3/06 at 12:52am

eatlasagna: no! why would you be allowed to just ask a question without it sparking some crazy debate and getting everyone all GRRRish? geez, it's not like people actually want to know things. I mean, isn't there somewhere else you can ask your questions? jeez.

just kidding. I totally agree with you. It was just a question. Lay off people.

Measure your life in love, RENTheads, and keep it always in your heart.

Avatar: Me with Al Larson, Jonathan Larson's father.

[Roninjoey]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#32

Posted: 1/3/06 at 1:22am

To go way back, I must ask SmartPenguin. Please envision the statue of The Thinker when reading the following.

But What Is Art?

yr ronin,
joey

[Unknown User]

re: why is the RENT movie set in 89?#33

Posted: 1/3/06 at 1:38am

Every bio for Callie Khouri says she started working on Thelma & Louise while at another job (one she got in 1985) and Ive even seen scripts dated June 1990. From what I remember of that one lyric, having knowledge of the screenplay before its movie release could easily settle this timeline issue.

[JHartnow]

December 24th, 1989, 9 PM, Eastern Standard Time...#34

Posted: 1/3/06 at 10:23am

I like that Mark's voice-over at the begining is a nod to the stage production. 1989? Meh. Apathy set in a while back about this films anachronism's. This is a beautiful film, extremely well made by the *only* people that could have pulled it off properly without disgrace to the source material.

Can't wait for the DVD...

[DancerGirl16]

December 24th, 1989, 9 PM, Eastern Standard Time...#35

Posted: 1/4/06 at 11:14am

Simple --- the movie is set in 1989 because that is when jonathon larson wrote it and there are a lot of details that wouldn't make sense and the music would have to be changed if they set it in a later time....for example, not long after 1989 people stopped having "AZT breaks" which they had to set their watches to.

When someone blunders, we say that he makes a misstep. Is it then not clear that all the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill our history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill in dancing. - Moliere

[collins]

December 24th, 1989, 9 PM, Eastern Standard Time...#36

Posted: 1/4/06 at 11:50am

When I first heard "1989" I went, "Huh?", but I wouldn't have given a second thought to any of the mistakes like Thelma and Louise if someone hadn't pointed them out. Mistakes in shows and movies don't bother me, but rather add charm.

<---Adopt a shelter pet!

[xrent_headx]

December 24th, 1989, 9 PM, Eastern Standard Time...#37

Posted: 1/4/06 at 12:06pm

I don't really care , every movie has its flaws, i LOVED RENT!!!

- I might be smart - No day but today

[Feathah]

December 24th, 1989, 9 PM, Eastern Standard Time...#38

Posted: 1/4/06 at 12:10pm

It bugs me that they set it at a specific time and then didn't pay attention to the details that would contradict that. Oh well. I still love it!

"The theater is my life. I live it. I breathe it. I fondle it till it falls asleep." Jack (Will And Grace) http://feathah.blogspot.com