RENT (2005) Jonathan Larson, Anthony Rapp, Taye Diggs & Puccini's La Boheme

Book Vs Movie Podcast

Book Vs. Movie: Rent
The 1896 Opera Vs. the 2005 Movie (Based on the 1996 Play)
"Rent" is a modern adaptation of Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Bohème." It tells the story of a group of struggling artists living in New York City's East Village during the late 1980s and early 1990s, dealing with poverty, love, and the AIDS epidemic. The late Jonathan Larson wrote the book, music & lyrics for the show and tragically died a few months before its Broadway debut on January 26, 1996.
The plot revolves around a diverse group of characters:

• Mark Cohen is an aspiring filmmaker and the narrator of the story. He is grappling with his identity and relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Maureen.
• Roger Davis: A former rock musician who is HIV positive. He is struggling to come to terms with his diagnosis and find inspiration for his music.
• Mimi Marquez: An exotic dancer who is also HIV positive. She falls in love with Roger, but their shared illness complicates their relationship.
• Tom Collins: A philosophy professor who is also HIV positive. He falls in love with Angel.
• Angel Dumott Schunard: A drag queen and street percussionist who becomes Tom's love interest.
• Maureen Johnson: A performance artist and Mark's ex-girlfriend. She is involved with Joanne.
• Joanne Jefferson: A lawyer and Maureen's current girlfriend.

The story explores their relationships, struggles with poverty, creative pursuits, and the impact of HIV/AIDS on their lives and the broader community. Themes of friendship, love, loss, and the pursuit of artistic expression are central to the narrative. As in "La Bohème," the characters face challenges related to their financial circumstances, illness, and the complexities of love and friendship. The story ultimately celebrates their resilience, creativity, and the power of human connection in the face of adversity. Which did we (the Margos) prefer of all of the adaptations?
In this ep, the Margos discuss:

• The original novel, the Pucini opera, and the 1996 musical
• The life of Jonathan Larson and the sheer magnitude of the show’s influence on pop culture.
• The cast of the 2022 film includes Taye Diggs (Benjamin Coffin,) Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Angel,) Rosario Dawson (Mimi,) Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen,) Adam Pascal (Roger Davis,) Jesse L. Martin (Tom Collins,) Idina Menzel (Maureen Johnson,) Tracie Thoms (Joanne,) and Julia Roth as a rent tenant.

Clips used:

• “La Vie Boheme”
• Rent (2005 trailer)
• “Seasons of Love”
• “Another Day”
• “Rent Tango”
• “Take Me or Leave Me”
• Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson

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