…Literally. It has been two years since we have had a real summer blockbuster stand-out (admirable effort from “Tenet” in 2020) and “In The Heights” checks all of the boxes.
Star-Studded Cast? Check. Plenty of Extravagant Musical Numbers? Of course. A fun, up-beat summer movie? Yes, please.
Lin Manuel-Miranda’s off-Broadway hit has finally made it to the big screen and solidifies the notion – movie theaters experiences are back!
We have all been searching for a sense of communal belonging since the start of the pandemic. People have been longing for reunions and wishing for larger gatherings of family and friends so it’s no surprise that "In The Heights” was delayed a year due to the pandemic. Outside of production and release schedules, it wouldn’t have felt right to release a film with such a jubilant outlook on community, friends and family without audiences being able to participate without a sense of sadness or longing. Now, with restrictions being lifted, it seems like the perfect time to celebrate! “In The Heights” is just the movie that we have been craving since we went into lock down sixteen months ago.
“In The Heights” is just further proof that Lin-Manuel Miranda is at the top of his game and there is no ending in sight. Miranda originally wrote and directed the musical back in 2008 where the show appeared on smaller stages before its short run-on Broadway. This was, of course, before Hamilton exploded and Lin Manuel Miranda became a house-hold name.
The story follows the lives of the people living in Washington Heights, a neighborhood in Upper New York City that has slowly started disappearing. People are moving, business are leaving and the once vibrant Latino neighborhood seems to be crumbling apart. The main character, Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) is a struggling bodega owner, trying to hold the neighborhood together while also making time to pursue dreams of his own.
Each member of the community has a different goal, a different dream. When someone draws a winning lottery ticket totaling $96,000, each character in the neighborhood begins to imagine what their lives would be like to hold that winning ticket. And the ones that do get out, dream of a life back in their neighborhood where family and friends are familiar. “In The Heights” helps answer the question of it means to have and hold a home and how does that home influence your life long after you step out the front door.
Massive set pieces including musical numbers in the street, in the pool and vibrant graphics flashing across the screen cements Jon M. Chu’s (“Crazy Rich Asians") presence as a master in the director’s chair. Each choreographed musical number seems like an impossible feat to overcome in terms of scale before another comes crashing into frame.
The film also further proves that Anthony Ramos is a certified star. After making his larger debut in “Hamilton” and a few smaller performances (“A Star is Born”), Ramos commands the attention of the screen, something not easily done by lesser-actors. Ramos deserves all of the praise as he holds together the film, providing the charisma that matches the massive energy of the movie. Expect to see a lot more of him in the future.
The colors are bold, the music is loud and the story-lines are heartfelt and a touching tribute to the meaning of community and love. “In The Heights” is a wonderful tribute to family and is one that deserves your attention and devotion.
Movie Score: 8.5/10
And that’s the sitch.
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