YET ANOTHER GORGEOUS ACCOUNT! You guys are practically killing me, I can't believe it! I did a lot of homework in rehearsal, so don't be surprised if I post my own account tonight. (we are doing Guys and Dolls. Your very own Panda has been cast as Angie The Ox: i.e. COOLEST CRAPSHOOTER IN THE GALAXY! DAS RIGHT, BEETCHES! YOU KNOW IT!)

Heh. Anyway, this is just as awesome as the ones before it. I too saw a preview for RENT when I was going to one movie or another. I shall explain that in my own account. And by the way...this account and another have a little language in them. Do not be offended; in case you noticed, I upped the rating. TAKE THAT, RATING ADMIN PEOPLES!

I'm a little wired right now...in case it wasn't clear.


When it comes to expressing myself, I never manage to sound intelligent. That's why I seem to only leave one word reviews for people. I just feel like I have so much to say…but I don't know how to say it.

I'm not really into Broadway all that much…movies are really more my thing. I've never even heard of RENT. Months before the film was released, I remember seeing a teaser trailer for it while I was in the movie theatre…I can't remember what movie I was seeing. Anyway, the thing that stuck with me was that song….that beautiful song that had a touch of sadness to it: Seasons of Love.

During the month of November, previews had begun to appear regularly on television. I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to see it, actually. I wasn't a huge musical fan. I've seen a few such as "Grease" and "A Chorus Line" and enjoyed them…but I wasn't obsessed or anything. Besides, I couldn't even tell what RENT was about from the trailers…still, the music sounded wonderful and it looked interesting, to say the least.

It was a short while after the movie had finally been released into theatres (still November, I think) And my Mom suggested that we go see RENT. I shrugged.

"Sure, why not? I think it's a musical. Musicals are always fun…."

So, I'm sitting in the theatre not knowing what to expect at all. After the previews, the screen goes to blackness, the beginning credits fade in and out on the screen in silence. And then the first few notes of "Seasons of Love" ring out through the theatre.

As the song began, my eyes start to water and I can feel a lump in the back of my throat. I'm horrified by this sudden weepiness because I HATE CRYING. Crying makes me feel like shit…both emotionally and physically. Plus, it's shameful, embarrassing and it makes me feel weak. Crying in a public movie theatre is ten times worse.

I don't think I knew then what I was watching…or maybe I only knew it subconsciously. But I knew it was something special from that moment on.

As the movie played out before me, I was amazed. I've seen other rock musicals before…but this was different. This was real. This was inspirational.

RENT activated an incredible spectrum of emotions within me. Many songs had me laughing or grinning like a fool. I was charmed by RENT's boldness, humor, realism, wit, and compassion. RENT is Jonathan Larson's life…onstage and now onscreen.

Another thing that amazed me was that I, a hardcore lesbian, fell in love with a boy. A boy by the name of Angel.

It's a given that I found Angel to be extremely hot in drag…she's got such a pretty face and gorgeous legs! But I simply cannot get over the shock that I originally found Angel to be adorable and cute as hell while she was out of drag, helping Collins out in his time of need. She just seemed so candid and natural then….and SO FUCKING SWEET! I've never felt that way about a guy before, and I don't think I ever will.

Which brings me over to the sadder stuff. From the songs "Without You" until the very end of the movie, I was a mess. Not only was RENT loving, passionate, joyful, and warm…but it was also very tragic. I was squirming uncomfortably in my seat as these emotions attacked me…wanting desperately to run out of the theatre and into a bathroom to cry in private. But I sat there, anyway. I sat there, having my little nervous breakdown. ;)

(By the way, I bought the DVD as soon as it came out. It's been about two years and I still can't watch Angel's death and funeral!)

After the movie, I was in a daze. I had fallen in love with a musical and a drag queen within one night. That's a lot for a girl to take in! XD

I went to see RENT again on December the 2nd. By myself, this time. I still have my ticket stub.

Here's a little recap: I was 17 when I first saw RENT, and it restored my faith in humanity. RENT is the definition of life, love, and liberty…something that I didn't think human beings believed in anymore. These kids in RENT were real, brave, loving and compassionate people. I don't know how to explain it…but the characters in RENT are better people than the majority of earth's population can ever hope to be. We are currently so blinded by hate, fear, greed, injustice and bigotry. We are very much a materialistic species.

RENT is not just a 90's piece (Yes, 90's…not 80's. Angel mentions 'Thelma and Louise' in the song 'Today 4 U'. 'Thelma and Louise' did not come out until 1991. The date given in the beginning of the movie is wrong.)

Where was I? Oh, yeah!

RENT is very much the future. Do artists and bohemians still exist? Are drugs, poverty, bigotry, and homelessness still problems? Does rock music still exist? Is AIDS still killing people?

More importantly, does love still exist?

RENT is also universal.

It saddens me that more people on this planet are not like Jonathan Larson…we could sure use some enlightened souls like him. He actually got it. If more people could be compassionate and loving, this world would be a better place. That man was a genius and I love him.

Even though Jonathan Larson has died, his beautiful masterpiece has triumphed and actually saved lives. His message of love and hope will live on.

Thank you, Jonathan Larson.

By Heather aka MovieBuffStarlet