12A, 2hrs 23 mins.
Before there was Hamilton, there was In The Heights. 13 years after it debuted on Broadway, and a year later than anticipated due to the pandemic, the adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's first musical finally hit cinemas on Friday and wow, was it worth the wait.
Centred on an ensemble of characters in Washington Heights, a neighbourhood in the uppermost part of Manhattan, the film tells the stories of their dreams, the hardships they face and how the familial and comminity spirit of the block and its residents transcends everything. Told through bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who dreams of returning to his native Dominican Republic, the film is equal parts vibrant, fresh, thrilling, and heartbreaking, and is without a doubt the best two-and-a-half hours you will have all summer!
Featuring toe tapping music, awe-inspiring dance sequences and memorable and standout performances from supporting cast members Corey Hawkins ('Benny'), Leslie Grace ('Nina'), Gregory Diaz IV ('Sonny') and Olga Merediz ('Abuela Claudia'), the film is a brilliant adaptation of its source material whilst also having enough changes to make it relatable and understandable for modern audiences.
As an adaption, the film succeeds in capturing the charm and uniqueness of the musical whilst also bring the source material more up to date to address issues facing the Latino community in 2020/21.
As someone who has listened to the Original Broadway Cast album religiously for years, and who had a pre-existing knowledge of the plot going in to the film, it takes a second for you to adjust to some of the changes which have been made to the music and the story from the stage production. Some lyrics are different, some songs are in a different position than how they are in the musical, and some much beloved songs are not included at all, but all of this doesn't take away from the film as a whole.
The film is enjoyable for both theatre fans and ordinary film goers. And for those of you who may be hesitant to see it because you had never heard of the musical, fear not, I would say its actually better for you to go in knowing nothing, because then you get to fully experience the shocks, twists and surprises in all their glory. This film is certainly one for the ages and should not be missed!
After a year which has taken so much, this film is a great, big shining light and a warm welcome back to cinemas! I guarantee that you will leave feeling joyous, in the mood to dance and start playing the soundtrack on repeat. 2021 is a big year for movie musicals, as we're set to get another 4 musical adaptations before the year is out, but this one feels special.
If you see one musical adaptation this year, and one film this summer, make it this one.
In The Heights is in cinemas now.
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