For years, I’ve recognized that “Rent” is a contemporary masterpiece in the realm of musicals. It’s the brilliant work of Jonathan Larson, and it’s a skillfully crafted rock opera. But for quite some time, its appeal didn’t resonate with me on a personal level. As fresh movies are announced for release in 2025, “Rent” is commemorating its 20th anniversary. Consequently, I decided to revisit it.
It gives me great pleasure to share that upon rewatching, my feelings towards this film have shifted significantly, and I found myself enjoying it far more than before.
The First Time I Watched Rent, I Had A Hard Time Following It And Wasn’t Into The Music
The musical “Rent” is almost entirely music-based, making it similar to a grand musical saga or a rock opera. This continuous flow of music can sometimes be challenging to keep up with, as I found when I initially watched its narrative unfold.
This play chronicles the lives of a circle of friends residing in New York City, navigating through both their triumphs and hardships. The story unfolds during the era of the AIDS crisis, delving into how this event affected them profoundly while they simultaneously grappled with fiscal challenges and the complexities of romance.
Although I found the overall narrative engaging and aesthetically pleasing, I struggled to keep up with each character’s journey due to the fact that significant details are primarily conveyed through songs. Since I didn’t initially appreciate the music, it made following the plot more challenging for me.
On the other hand, when we delve into discussing my experience with “Rent” this time around, I must confess that I had gained a more profound comprehension of Jonathan Larson’s life and artistic endeavors. The story’s focus on numerous LGBTQ+ characters resonated deeply, and the music enriched the overall viewing experience significantly.

However, Now That I’m More Familiar With Jonathan Larson’s Work And Legacy, I Was All In
The shift in my experience when rewatching Rent, compared to the first time, is largely due to my expanded understanding of Jonathan Larson, the creator of the musical. Back then, I hadn’t seen the film adaptation of Tick, Tick…Boom!, which was unavailable for streaming on Netflix as it doesn’t seem to have been released until later. However, now that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s movie is out and readily accessible, I’ve developed a deep interest in it and its music since its premiere. This rekindled appreciation has significantly influenced my perception of Rent.

How Vanessa Hudgens Feels Most Accomplished About Co-adapting the Musical “Tick, Tick Boom” Alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda and Andrew Garfield
If you’re unfamiliar, “Tick, Tick…Boom” refers to the autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, which was created prior to “Rent.” The film adaptation, one of Andrew Garfield’s finest performances, offers a captivating insight into the writer’s life. It narrates his struggle to compose an exceptional musical while barely earning a living and residing in New York City.
This musical provided me with an in-depth understanding of Larson’s work and personal life, and it showcased his journey towards creating Rent. Additionally, being aware that he passed away the day Rent opened on Broadway gave this 2005 film a sense of poignancy and impact.
Not only did I resonate with the music from “Tick, Tick…Boom”, but the rock tunes skillfully depicted Jonathan’s journey, reflecting his emotions precisely. The award-winning soundtrack for 2021’s best musical became one of my most frequently played albums throughout the year.
Watching “Rent” gave me a deeper understanding and fondness for Larson’s music. Compared to “Tick, Tick…Boom”, “Rent” has more music, so watching the latter was like learning to ride a bike with training wheels, helping me prepare to re-watch the 2005 rock opera with renewed appreciation.
Indeed, I approached the movie adaptation of “Rent” with a refreshed comprehension and affection for its creator, having gained a whole new perspective on him.

I Was Deeply Moved By The LGBTQ+ Stories Larson Told Through This Diverse Friend Group
Jonathon Larson is renowned and cherished for his strong support towards the LGBTQ+ community, which is evident in the narrative of the play “Rent“. Here, he portrayed a tale centered around an assorted group of friends, depicting their shared challenges and struggles.
The main challenge portrayed in the narrative revolved around the complex interplay between the HIV/AIDS crisis and the economic hardships experienced by numerous individuals, particularly those striving to succeed in New York City.
The tale of Tom and Angel in that movie left quite an impact on me. In the film, Tom develops feelings for Angel, who is a drag queen, and they both are diagnosed with AIDS. Their love story is heartwarming, and songs like “I’ll Cover You” brought me immense joy as it showcased their unwavering, proud, and passionate love for each other.
After Angel passed away, it left a profound impact on me. The emotional resonance of Tom’s last composition, blended seamlessly with the powerful anthem “Seasons of Love” from Rent, was incredibly poignant and moving.
And that’s just one example of a story that left me feeling all the feelings.
In addition to its powerful message, the fact that this story was presented in a mainstream manner on Broadway in the ’90s and later on film during the early 2000s contributed greatly to its impact. While there is still room for improvement when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation in film today, it’s worth noting that we have made significant progress over the past 20 years. Nevertheless, Rent stood out as a shining example and a powerful representation of the LGBTQ+ community, telling compelling stories about individuals who identify as such, that were both heart-wrenchingly tragic and joyously celebratory.

And Can We Take A Minute To Appreciate This Cast?
Ultimately, let’s discuss the exceptional ensemble of Rent. After my initial viewing, I’ve grown to admire Larson more profoundly, but it’s the entire cast that has truly captured my heart, particularly those who portrayed these roles on Broadway as well.
It’s no secret that I’ve long admired Idina Menzel’s artistry, and getting to witness her as Maureen, an early role of hers, was truly delightful. Moreover, “Take Me or Leave Me” is arguably one of the best musical numbers, and when Idina performed it alongside Tracie Thoms – who played Joanne in later productions but originated the character on stage – it left me absolutely awestruck.
I found Jesse L. Martin’s portrayal of Tom particularly noteworthy in this instance. Both he and Wilson Jermaine Heredia, the actor playing Angel, initially played their respective roles on Broadway. This shared history combined with their on-screen chemistry made me appreciate the tale of Tom and Angel even deeper.
Undeniably, it was during the “Rent” performance where these two exceptional talents, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, as Mark and Roger, left the deepest impression on me. The moment I first watched the production, their involvement felt palpable, though I wasn’t aware they would still be so connected today. Re-experiencing them on screen this time around, I could sense the genuine camaraderie between them, which combined with their harmonious melodies created a duo that I found incredibly endearing.
I’ve reached a point in my life where I genuinely wish I could have experienced “Rent” on Broadway during its extended run. Unfortunately, that’s not an option for me. Fortunately, we have the movie adaptation instead, and every time I watch it, I discover something new to admire. This viewing was particularly special because I gained more insight into the musical’s origins and Jonathan Larson’s background, which struck a chord with me on a personal level. Add to that a powerful storyline acted out by a talented ensemble, and this time around, I had an experience that I missed during my initial watch.
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2025-06-29 23:11