In The Heights
This review is from June 14, 2021
Two and a half hours. A musical. Trying to follow on the heels of the pandemic and the other-worldly success of Hamilton. If you find the idea of watching In the Heights slightly intimidating, there is good reason. However, this adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning musical is absolutely wonderful, and well worth the time.
Some parts Do The Right Thing, some parts West Side Story, and most of all a fresh new story, In the Heights is nothing short of captivating. From the large musical numbers to the colorful costume design to the heartfelt stories of the main characters, there are few moments where the two and a half hour runtime ever feels long. Anthony Ramos delivers a great performance as the leading man Usnavi, but really the entire cast is spectacular. Olga Merediz’s solo in the latter third of the film might be the most emotional and well-constructed scene in the entire film, and Melissa Barrera’s performance as Vanessa stood out for me, as well.
There’s really not much else to review here besides complementing the artistry. In the Heights is one of those rare films where few details are left unnoticed. The intentionality behind the scenes is surely a result of the decision to shoot on location in the real Washington Heights neighborhood, but also credit is due to Miranda, director Jon Chu, and the rest of the production team for making this world come to life. I almost don’t want to discuss the film, because you have to experience it to really feel the effect.
In addition, the character development is remarkable. You find yourselves rooting for each of the members of this neighborhood– this family– to succeed as they follow their dreams. I made a comparison to Do The Right Thing because I found the first half of the movie similar– the plot feels slow, but you realize at the end that we had to really invest in the characters for the payout to be that emotional. In the Heights takes a vastly different approach to the tensions of a neighborhood on a hot day than Spike Lee’s sensational film, but I think it succeeds in its own romantic, optimistic fashion.
In the Heights shouldn’t be judged based on how it stacks up against other movie-musicals. Instead, we should recognize how it explores a unique story, pays homage to groundbreaking films of the past, and invites the audience to enjoy a truly remarkable world. The characters are relatable, the story fills you with hope, and it’s simply fun to watch.
