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It’s been a year since I’ve seen Rent on Broadway, and at least three since I first heard the score. As a result, I had been eagerly anticipating Rent’s release for quite some time.

Heading into the film, I was a bit uncertain about a couple of things.
- Number one — the director, Chris Columbus, has previously directed the first two Harry Potter films and the first two Home Alone movies… so who decided that he would be the perfect guy for the movie about eight twentysomethings (50% of whom have AIDS)?
- Number two — although the original Broadway cast had been given roles in the movie, two of them had been replaced. The role of Joanne had been filled by Tracie Thoms — and who the hell is she? Even worse, the role of Mimi had been given to Rosario Dawson, who has the natural acting talent of a piece of dry toast.
- Number three - Among other popular songs from the show, “Christmas Bells,” one of my favorite numbers, had been cut.

Fortunately, I wasn’t entirely disappointed by the film. Although I did miss the music that was cut from the beginning, I was able to suspend my disbelief throughout the entire film, including the restructuring, lyric changes, and other missing bits of the show.

Unfortunately, Chris Columbus really drops the ball with Rent. His changes to the source material detract from the emotional impact of key moments in the film, including *SPOILER ALERT : HIGHLIGHT TO READ* Angel’s death, and the entire feel of the finale, which unfortunately falls flat. In this, Columbus proves to be somewhat of a cocktease — as the film opened so brilliantly and ended so dull.

The cast is the only saving grace of the film. Anthony Rapp steps seamlessly back into Mark’s striped scarf. Adam Pascal, while choosing to act the role like a deer looking at oncoming traffic, still manages to make Roger enjoyable. The extremely talented Taye Diggs is unfortunately underutilized as Benny. Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Jesse L. Martin are absolutely electric, bringing the on-stage chemistry of Angel and Collins to the silver screen. Previously unknown Tracie Thoms absolutely wowed me, and I hope that she gets many more film roles in the future. Even Rosario Dawson, whom I saw and hated in Central park this year, turns out a dazzling performance as Mimi.

But the true star is Tony winner Idina Menzel. The former woman in green has proven that she can take over the film industry just as she has done with the stage.

Rent isn’t the best film you’ll see this year, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Hopefully the DVD will be out soon, and you could check out the film with the numbers “Halloween” and “Goodbye Love”, which were unfortunately cut in the eleventh hour. I could go on and on about the changes made to the material in the film (and I may one day), but… I’ll spare the reader this time around.