Rent: The Musical Misfire Makes Its 4K Debut (4K)

The Film:

When Jonathan Larson's "Rent" burst onto Broadway back in 1996, it became an instant hit that not only garnered four Tony Awards (including Best Musical, Book, and Original Score), but also had it going on an incredible 12-year run. During that time, it's hardly a surprise that the idea of a film was brought up pretty quickly, leading to an adaptation being brought to theaters in 2005 from director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Stephen Chbosky that featured six of the original eight Broadway cast members. However, the reaction was probably not at all what they expected given the show's major success on the stage.

The film ended up being heavily panned by critics and almost entirely ignored by audiences, leading to a box office take that didn't even cover its production budget. The result brought up several questions, such as: Had something gotten terribly lost in translation from the stage to the screen? Were critics being just a little too harsh? Did audiences simply not want to see a film that includes some sensitive subject matter? With all that said, the film did find some fans along the way, and for them, Sony/Columbia Pictures is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year by giving it a stunning 4K upgrade, making it the perfect time to go back and revisit it to see if it was truly deserving of its dismissal two decades ago.

Starting on Christmas Eve of 1989 in New York City, we meet aspiring filmmaker Mark Cohen (Anthony Rapp) and musician Roger David (Adam Pascal), who are unable to pay the rent that is being imposed on them by their former roommate, Benny (Taye Diggs). Benny tells them his plan to evict the homeless from a nearby lot and use it to build a cyber studio, subsequently making an offer of free rent if they can get Mark's ex-girlfriend Maureen (Idina Menzel) to cancel her protest, an offer they refuse.

Meanwhile, we meet the rest of the characters, including Mark and Roger's friend Tom Collins (Jesse L. Martin), who is mugged on the street and cared for by Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia), who quickly form a close relationship. Mimi (Rosario Dawson), a heroin addict and neighbor, comes to visit Roger while he's trying to come up with a new song. She tries to get him to do drugs with her, but he refuses and initially rejects her advances. Finally, there's Joanne (Tracie Thoms), a lawyer for whom Maureen dumped Mark. We follow the ensemble's various relationships and interactions as they simply try to go about their regular daily lives.

Having never gotten to see the original smash-hit musical on stage, I unfortunately have no basis of comparison between it and its cinematic adaptation, so all judgments & criticisms will be restricted solely to the film itself, which, as mentioned earlier, was panned rather heavily when it came out back in 2005. However, after revisiting it 20 years later, it sadly becomes pretty clear very early on as to why it was dismissed by critics and mostly ignored by general audiences at the time.

For starters, the music simply isn't all that great. There are some decent numbers here and there, including "Seasons of Love" and "Tango: Maureen," but for the most part, it's rather unremarkable, repetitive, and not particularly inspired, which is obviously not going to help in terms of being a musical. Its other issue, which is perhaps even bigger than the music, is the plot, or rather the lack of a substantial one. If the above synopsis seemed a little choppy and all over the place, it's because that's exactly how the film is. It tries to focus on all eight of these characters, but doesn't really give any of them enough time to truly develop into fully-fleshed-out people, leading to a mixed narrative that feels as though it merely meanders about for two hours.

Given that the musical won Tonys for its book, score, and the overall show itself, it would appear that something was indeed lost in the transition from stage to screen. A musical certainly doesn't last for 12 years on Broadway and subsequently remain a popular choice for tours & other productions without having special elements that keep bringing people back to it. Perhaps this is a show that was simply meant to stay on the stage, where its raw magic could captivate its live audience, as opposed to the machinations of film making it sound perhaps a little too perfect for its setting & subject matter. Whatever the cause, director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Stephen Chbosky's adaptation of "Rent" is an unfortunate misfire, one that would sink into a bit of obscurity, but with the film being upgraded to 4K for its 20th anniversary, at least the few fans its found along the way will be able to enjoy it in pristine quality.

Video/Audio:

"Rent" comes to 4K in a 2.40:1, 2160p Ultra High Definition transfer of excellent quality, presenting you with a perfectly sharp & clear picture throughout the entirety of its 135-minute runtime. Likewise, the Dolby Atmos audio is marvelous, giving you all of the dialogue and, of course, the music in outstanding quality. Overall, Sony/Columbia Pictures has done a wonderful job in both departments for the film's 4K debut.

Special Features:

Commentary by Chris Columbus and Selected Cast

No Day But Today (? Minutes): This is listed as a feature-length documentary, but unfortunately it would not play on this copy of the film.

Deleted Scenes and Musical Performances (12 Minutes)

Conclusion:

Chris Columbus' "Rent" is an unfortunate misfire of a musical adaptation, featuring mostly unremarkable music and a mixed narrative that merely meanders for two hours due to its lack of substance, ultimately leading one to the conclusion that something clearly must've been lost in transitioning the smash-hit Broadway show to the screen.

Score: 2.5/5

Now available on 4K.

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