Watch Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway

Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway is a musical film that captures a live performance of the Tony Award-winning rock musical Rent. The film features a talented cast of actors, including Will Chase, Adam Kantor, and Michael McElroy, who deliver stunning performances of the show's beloved characters. The story takes place in New York City's East Village and follows a group of friends who are struggling to make ends meet amidst the AIDS epidemic of the 1990s. The main character, Mark Cohen (played by Kantor), is an aspiring filmmaker who documents the lives of his friends and neighbors as they face the challenges of love, loss, and survival.

The film opens with the energetic song "Rent" sung by the full cast, setting the tone for the lively and emotional musical journey that is about to unfold. The film's non-linear structure allows the audience to jump back and forth between the characters' past and present, revealing their interconnected stories and experiences.

One of the central characters is Roger Davis (played by Chase), a struggling musician who is HIV positive and has lost his girlfriend to the disease. He meets Mimi Marquez (played by Rosario Dawson), a exotic dancer who is also HIV positive, and the two embark on a passionate and tumultuous relationship. Their story is brought to life through powerful songs such as "Another Day", "Light My Candle", and "Without You".

Another pivotal character is Angel Dumott Schunard (played by McElroy), a drag queen with a heart of gold who befriends the struggling artists and becomes a source of courage and inspiration for them. Angel's emotional journey is highlighted in showstopping numbers such as "Today 4 U" and "I'll Cover You".

The themes of love, friendship, and acceptance are woven throughout the film, as the characters face discrimination and stigma due to their sexuality and their HIV status. However, despite the challenges they face, they come together to form a tight-knit community that supports each other through the ups and downs of life.

The film's music, composed by Jonathan Larson, is a blend of rock, pop, and Broadway-style show tunes, with memorable numbers such as "Seasons of Love", "La Vie Boheme", and "Take Me or Leave Me". The live band, set up on stage, brings a raw energy to the music that is sure to get audiences tapping their feet and singing along.

Visually, the film is stunning, with colorful sets and costumes that capture the vibrant spirit of New York City. The stage is transformed into an immersive world that transports the viewer into the heart of the characters' struggles and triumphs.

Overall, Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway is a powerful and moving film that brings the beloved musical to life in a whole new way. The talented cast, infectious music, and heartfelt story are sure to captivate audiences and leave them with a newfound appreciation for the power of love and friendship in the face of adversity.

Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.