'Rent' Movie Review (Unmarked Spoilers)

[Alex]

I think the music of Rent is hugely augmented by the charisma of the performers and the bond they create with a live audience. The first time I saw Rent on stage it was just overwhelmingly powerful and I think it was because of that bond.

Most of you know that I don't listen to music but Lani does and without the live audience, listening to the soundtrack I do find the music underwhelming and very stagey.

At the last minute Lani picked Walk the Line over Rent so I haven't seen it yet, but I'm hoping that a similar kind of bond can be formed with a film audience, though it is much more difficult than on stage. Some friends are reporting applause after certain numbers (while another said it felt awkward that the movie seemed to have applause pauses when there was no applause).

Also, I'd like to ask Steve to go argue my case over in the Harry Potter thread since our arguments are kind of similar (in reviewing without familiarity with the source).