Provocative, gritty, and most importantly, real. IDEA Center screens “RENT”
Katherine Rosa
She/Her
Section Editor
10/18/23
This past Thursday, Plymouth State’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Center hosted a screening of the movie adaptation of “RENT.” As a part of this October’s LGBTQ+ history programming, they hosted a screening of “RENT”(2005), a film known for its significance as a piece of queer media.
“RENT” is adapted from the Broadway musical of the same name, the latter of which is known as a cultural phenomenon. The musical was groundbreaking for its time, focusing on pressing issues of poverty, addiction, and the AIDS crisis. The show went on to receive numerous accolades, including four Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Now, over 25 years after its initial 1996 Broadway debut, “RENT” is often lauded for reshaping the landscape of contemporary musical theatre as we now know it. This is a legacy that the composer and playwright, Jonathan Larson, would never get to see. Larson, only 35 years old, died just one day before “RENT”’s Off-Broadway premiere. This tragedy only furthered the emotional impact of the show, with his untimely demise reinforcing the musical’s testament: “No day but today.”
The movie version of “RENT” is directed by Chris Columbus (“Home Alone” (1990), “Harry Potter” (2001-2004))and has a screenplay by Stephen Chbosky (“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (1999, 2012)). Staying true to Larson’s vision, the film does not deviate much from the plot of the original musical. Columbus’ directing does a generally decent job at honoring this vision, creating an atmosphere that is both dark and gritty, but lit by the lives and love of its inhabitants. Columbus utilizes sweeping, dolly shots to immerse the viewer in late 80’s grunge of New York’s Lower East Side. These setting shots help provide a cohesive visual element throughout the entirety of the film. Another highlight is its casting, which is full of many notable theatre names, including Idina Menzel (Maureen), Anthony Rapp (Mark), Tracie Thoms (Joanne), and Taye Diggs (Benny). Many of these actors originated the roles, which is a nice treat for fans who have been there since the beginning.
The most substantial aspect of “RENT” is its heart. Rather than a particularly enthralling plot, the appeal of the movie is in its emotional depth. Moments like Angel’s (Wilson Jermaine Heredia) funeral serve as a reminder that “RENT,” at its core, is a story of overcoming strife, and finding strength in yourself and others in the hardest of times. Perhaps it doesn’t even need a concrete plot, when the power of its emotional impact speaks for itself. Some of the most memorable scenes in “RENT” take place in Life Support, a support group for people who are HIV-positive. These moments stand out emotionally as they encapsulate some of the show’s most prominent themes, namely the fragility of life and the importance of taking advantage of what time you have. It’s also significant because it portrays its characters with HIV or AIDS with humanity and respect, at a time when the stigma for people with those diagnoses was at a high. The characters beg a most harrowing question: “Will I lose my dignity?”
“Rent” spoke to a generation, shedding light on an array of problems hitting Americans proving that they were, in fact, not alone. While it may not have the same impact on all modern viewers, there’s a reason it resonated so much with audiences at the time. It made a statement that viewers needed to hear, and no amount of poor aging or a nonexistent plot can change that.
As part of the IDEA Center’s continued LGBTQ+ History Month programming they will be holding Art for Change, an art workshop where a discussion of mental wellness and its impacts on the LGBTQ+ community will be had on Oct. 20 at the IDEA Center and an LGBTQ+ Trivia Night on Oct. 24 in the HUB Fireplace Lounge.
“RENT” the film can be watched via a subscription to “Peacock” and can also be found on Panther Premier, PSU’s own movie streaming service.