Rent (2005)
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A group of bohemians in the gritty East Village navigate the struggles of love, addiction, and survival under the shadow of AIDS.
The story
On Christmas Eve 1989, aspiring filmmaker Mark Cohen and his roommate, Roger Davis, learn that their landlord, Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III, plans to evict the homeless from a nearby lot to build a cyber studio. While Mark attempts to film a documentary about people living with HIV/AIDS, Roger struggles to compose a final song before he dies. The group of friends, facing various personal hardships including drug addiction and illness, must navigate their artistic ambitions and personal relationships in a rapidly changing New York City landscape.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film begins with eight friends singing 'Seasons of Love' on a stage. On Christmas Eve 1989, Mark and Roger are told by their landlord, Benny, that their rent is due and he plans to evict the homeless to build a studio. They refuse to help him stop Maureen's protest against his plans. Meanwhile, Angel and Collins bond over their HIV status, and Roger is pursued by Mimi, a heroin addict. Mark meets Joanne, Maureen's new girlfriend, and begins filming an AIDS documentary. After a series of events including a riot at a protest and a celebration at The Life Cafe, Roger and Mimi begin a relationship despite both being HIV positive. By New Year's Day, Benny padlocks their apartment, but they break in. Over the next year, Roger and Mimi's relationship falters due to Mimi's drug use, and Angel eventually succumbs to AIDS. After Angel's funeral, the group drifts apart. Roger moves to Santa Fe but returns to New York for Mimi. On Christmas Eve 1990, the friends reunite; Joanne and Maureen find a near-death Mimi, who is saved by Angel's spirit. Mark's documentary is shown, and the friends reaffirm their bond.
- First release year
- 2005
- Runtime (minutes)
- 135
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Chris Columbus
- Writers
- Stephen Chbosky · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Rosario Dawson · Mimi Marquez; Taye Diggs · Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III; Wilson Jermaine Heredia · Angel Dumott Schunard; Jesse L. Martin · Thomas B. "Tom" Collins; Idina Menzel · Maureen Johnson; Adam Pascal · Roger Davis; Anthony Rapp · Mark Cohen; Tracie Thoms · Joanne Jefferson
- Genres
- musical drama; LGBTQ-related; musical
- Themes
- survival; artistic ambition; HIV/AIDS crisis; love; addiction
- Tone and mood
- gritty; emotional
- Premise and plot tags
- bohemian life; musical adaptation; LGBTQ+ themes; AIDS epidemic
- Content notes
- LGBTQ-related
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics and failed to cover its production costs at the box office.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 53 · scale: 100 · review count: 35
- Production trivia
- The film features six of the eight original Broadway cast members reprising their lead roles.; A scene featuring April lying in the bathtub with her wrists slit was filmed but cut.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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