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

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.

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.

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.

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

But What Is Art?

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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...

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.

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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!

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