in defense of rent
If you don't like the story, characters, and songs that comprise the Tony award winning musical Rent, you will not like the movie. So please, people, stop bitching about its overall content and themes. You knew these things going in. You knew these things ten years ago. You knew that this story depicted struggling artists with heroin addictions and same-sex partners and yes, in some cases, AIDS. Telling them to quit whining and go get a job is ridiculous, and smacks of completely missing the damned point. You can make a case for the point not being successfully conveyed, but to deny the point exists is just lame.
Amen, sista! And Roger Ebert can take his dislike of La Boheme the opera and leave it outside next time he reviews the film FOR ITSELF and nothing else.
How can anyone deny the message? It's there! It's not the world's best show and I'm sure it's not the world's best movie, but it's compelling and interesting and has a wonderful message of love.
Posted by: StationeryQueen | November 29, 2005 at 01:55 PM
I saw that show. I thought it sucked. Using megans logic... I would think the movie sucked too. Message of love??? perhaps.... message of 525,600 reasons why i'm glad i trust meangs logic... indeed!
Posted by: Chauncey | November 29, 2005 at 11:26 PM
ps... people get too emotional over stuff. who cares what anyone else thinks about anything. if ebert thinks the movie sucks thats fine. he might have really liked the show and thought the movie was terrible. if you like the show and movie good for you. you found something you like. i like ice cream. if someone is lactose intolerant i dont take offense to that. perhaps i'm rent intolerant. ebert as well
Posted by: Chauncey | November 29, 2005 at 11:31 PM
Chaunce, I take no particular offense to the opinion. In the cases I am "responding" to (not Ebert, but the "shut up and get a job" types), it's the support of that opinion that I find intellectually bankrupt. If you're reviewing say, The Wizard of Oz, you don't stop 10 minutes in and say "quit whining Dorothy, you should have respected your elders and stayed out of that tornado" and turn it off. You have to process what is given to you, not refuse to accept it.
Further, if a person doesn't even recognize the use of hyperbole, and cannot appreciate the idea of doing what you want, over what is practical (which is what I see has the main theme of Rent), I'm not sure they should be reviewing films in the first place. Again, it is perfectly acceptable to criticize these things. Say the idea of modern day bohemia is too hyperbolic, that the theme is outweighed by other issues, that Roger singing in a desert is silly...these are all valid.
Sticking your fingers in your ears and closing your eyes as soon as the movie starts isn't. Especially when you know precisely what you're getting into with this movie.
p.s. I have to get semi-worked up about these things, otherwise I won't write about them, and then, no blog. ;-)
Posted by: employeemegan | November 30, 2005 at 08:26 AM
say someone walks in and says he thought the film was fantastic... is his opinion more valid than someone who thinks its stupid not to do what's practical and that rent is pitifully lame? I don't think any of the above, but everyone is so different from everyone else. and after all... people should be able to speak their minds about whatever they want regardless of their intelligence or experience or skills... right? (i.e. George Clooney :))
anyway i'm just playin with you... All you said is true... but it still wasn't all that great.. not great enough to be defending it and all
Posted by: Chauncey | November 30, 2005 at 11:01 PM