Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
by Daniel Andrade
In 2015, a young playwright named Lin-Manuel Miranda captured the world’s attention with a play that took the musical theater community by storm: Hamilton. With its diverse cast, hip-hop sound, and contemporary view on history, it’s no surprise that Hamilton changed the landscape of musical theater and the performing arts. But what some may not know is that Miranda had an equally successful and critically acclaimed play that came out 7 years prior. That play was In The Heights, a musical focusing on the Latinx community of Washington Heights in New York City. It was nominated for an incredible 13 Tony Awards and won 4 of them: Best Orchestration, Best Choreography, Best Original Score, and Best Musical. And while Miranda’s Hamilton was released last year on Disney+ as a filmed play, In The Heights is a musical film. So how did the play translate onto the big screen? Let’s discuss.
We’ll begin with the casting. The cast is full of fantastic Latinx actors who bring their characters to life with excellent singing and rapping skills, as well as dancing abilities that beautifully highlight the salsa and hip-hop sound. Anthony Ramos absolutely shines as the lead character Usnavi. He has a swagger and charisma that is palpable and makes him instantly likable. Melissa Barrera brings a sweetness and playfulness to the character of Vanessa. She and Leslie Grace, who plays Nina, both imbue their characters with a vulnerability that really makes their characters relatable and easy to root for. Grace is especially good at portraying the struggle of living up to the pressures and expectations of the neighborhood. Corey Hawkins plays Benny with a youthful energy that’s balanced by an adult sense of responsibility and work ethic. The iconic Jimmy Smits brings his years of acting experience to the cast, and it shows, giving us a memorable performance as Nina’s father, Kevin. Stephanie Beatriz, well-known for her role as the serious and often angry officer Rosa on Brooklyn 99, provides a pleasant surprise in her cheery, upbeat, high-pitched, and bombastic portrayal of Carla. Finally, Olga Merediz reprises her Broadway role of Abuela Claudia brilliantly, with a caring, compassionate, and loving energy that made me instantly think of (and miss terribly) both of my abuelitas. And of course, Lin-Manuel Miranda himself, who played Usnavi in the original Broadway production, plays the more minor but still critical role of Mr. Piraguero in the film, a local vendor of piraguas (a variation of snow cones) who absolutely steals the show anytime he is on screen (and rightfully so!).
This is a musical film, so how are the songs and choreography? Let’s just say they’re everything you would expect from Miranda. The songs are quick, sharp, funny, and poignant. I will say I watched this at home through HBO Max, and I’m glad I had the subtitles there to help me fully get the message of each song. While every actor enunciates clearly, there are some times when the songs are layered on top of each other, which makes for a beautiful effect musically but can make it difficult to hear exactly what is being sung or rapped. All the songs have all the vibrancy of Latin music that makes it almost impossible not to tap your feet or want to get up and dance. There are also super sweet and heartbreaking songs that made me tear up. This is primarily the case because the characters are so well-developed and easy to build a connection with; when they’re in pain or afraid or sad, the songs reflect it, and the audience feels it. Abuela’s big solo song is one fantastic example of this. These songs are accompanied by incredible choreography that is bursting with energy and brings not just the characters but also the neighborhood to life. Director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) does an excellent job of making these set pieces stand out while also not seeming too out of the ordinary. I’m incredibly impressed that no one got in each other’s way, as there were dances done in very tight spaces that required big moves; this was particularly the case in a scene at the dance hall. There are definitely homages to other classic musicals, notably with the scenes at the community pool that reminded me of the Golden Age of Hollywood. The songs are incredibly catchy, and you’ll be humming many of them for weeks afterward.
As for the story, it still holds up very well today and is incredibly relevant. The basic premise is one of people dreaming for a better life outside of the neighborhood they’ve spent their whole life in and discovering all the beauty that lies within their city and the people who make it home. The opening lines talk about sueñitos, or little dreams, and how everyone has them. Whether it’s Usnavi’s dream to take over his dad’s bar back in the Dominican Republic, Vanessa’s goal of becoming a fashion designer, or the neighborhood’s dreams of what they would do with lottery winnings of $96,000, everyone has aspirations of making it out of the heights. Through it all, there’s a heavy reminder not to forget where you came from, with lots of love and respect for their roots. This blend of Latinx culture with the attitude and vibe of New York City mix together perfectly, and though I grew up here on the opposite side of the country in San Diego, that “Spanglish” lifestyle is very familiar to me and made me love and connect with this film that much more. Whether you’re Latinx or not, there’s something for everyone to relate to in this film.
In conclusion, In The Heights is a wonderful story about chasing your dreams, appreciating the beauty around you, and never forgetting your roots. This story is bolstered by a phenomenal soundtrack and stunning choreography that cements Lin-Manuel Miranda’s place in musical theater history. It’s a story that’s just as moving and powerful today as it was when it first debuted on Broadway 13 years ago.
FINAL SCORE: 10/10
Comments