In recent years, films based on musicals have been flooding cinemas, with varying degrees of success. A new addition to the successful side of musical films is In The Heights. The musical, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, revolves around a neighborhood in New York primarily inhabited by Latin American immigrants and their families. It’s a relatively simple concept that forms the basis of a compelling story.
Usnavi (a play on “U.S. Navy”) owns a small supermarket in the New York neighborhood of Washington Heights, which he runs with his nephew Sonny. However, owning a store is not his ultimate dream; he would rather return to his home country, the Dominican Republic. Usnavi is not the only dreamer in Washington Heights. His friends Benny, Nina, and Vanessa each have their own dreams. Unfortunately, residing in Washington Heights limits their opportunities, and they must work hard to pursue their aspirations.
The close-knit family shared by all Latin American residents in Washington Heights serves as the foundation for this musical film. While the theme of having big dreams is realistic and straightforward, the film brings a magical quality that is unique to musicals. The pursuit of dreams is a timeless theme. In 2016, the film world rejoiced over La La Land, another musical film about grand dreams. In this regard, In The Heights shares similarities with the acclaimed jazz film but manages to distinguish itself, thanks in large part to the cast and music.
New addition to successful musical films
The music of In The Heights bears a resemblance to the hit musical Hamilton, another production written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. While Hamilton chose to film the musical on Broadway and release it as a film on Disney+, In The Heights is a cinematic adaptation of the musical. This choice is commendable, though the film starts rather slowly due to the introduction of numerous characters. However, as the film progresses, it gains momentum and only gets better.
Not only does the music shine, but the actors also have ties to Hamilton. Anthony Ramos had a leading role on Broadway, and Lin-Manuel Miranda himself makes a few brief cameos. In addition to these Broadway veterans, director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) introduces newcomers to the mainstream, such as Leslie Grace and Melissa Barrera. Particularly when they sing, these two actresses hold their own among the cast, delivering impressive scenes.
One standout moment is the emotional scene that follows a power outage affecting the entire Heights. The occasional absurdity in this dreamy musical film is counteracted by a realistic representation of fear and helplessness. The residents of Washington Heights are challenged, and their close bond is put to the test. You can’t help but empathize with the inhabitants of the resilient Washington Heights. This makes In The Heights a dreamy yet realistic addition to the musical film genre.
In The Heights (2021)
In Washington Heights, a sympathetic New York bodega owner saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life.
Cast: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, e.a.
Writers: Lin-Manuel Miranda en Quiara Alegría Hudes
Director: Jon M. Chu
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
