Review: In The Heights

Let me take you back to the last time I was in a cinema. 

It was March 2020: I was in London on my own: there were only two other people in the screening with me: and it was for My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising. 

Then the world changed and I didn't set foot in a big screen. Until last Saturday. 

Because I got to see one of the most anticipated films of the year, not just from a musical-theatre-loving point of view, but a film-loving point of view: In The Heights. 

I have spoken about In The Heights before, when I saw the London production at the Kings Cross Theatre back in 2016 (!), but for those who also know the show, it is best to think of the film as it's own thing; this is as some of the songs are in a different order, some lines spoken by certain characters are given to others etc. It doesn't change the overall aspect, just something to bear in mind. 

And to address the elephant in the room, you may know that the film came under fire recently for not representing black Latinos enough in its casting, something that even Lin Manuel-Miranda has apologised for publicly. However, as a white woman, I cannot possibly say anything on this situation that would add anything, other than it seems there's still more we can do; and I am only going to comment on the piece of cinema I saw. 

Source: In the Heights (2021) - IMDb

OK, with that out of the way, lights up and let's get started. 

For those who don't know, In The Heights is set (and filmed) in the largely Latin-American community of Washington Heights in northern Manhattan, New York city; and it is ultimately a story about identity, belonging, family and community. Our main character is Usnavi, a bodega owner who dreams of going back to the Dominican Republic and re-building his father's old bar. But is he making the right decision? 

While Usnavi's story is the main one, we see other characters struggle to live, well, in the heights; Usnavi's crush Vanessa is desperate to move downtown and make her own way: student Nina returns home after struggling with university, worrying that her efforts and her community's expectations have all been for nought: salon-owner Daniella is forced to move her salon elsewhere due to gentrification and rising rents etc etc. 

Source: In the Heights (2021) - IMDb

Those eager to get a sneak peek before the official release were in luck as the first 8 minutes were released officially on YouTube, and this is admittedly one of the best parts. It starts with a massive Latin feel-good punch! And while it does slow and drag a little more as a film than it would have on stage, it never loses its heart and its feel-good factor. 

Speaking of the opening number, it leads into one of THE best things about this film. The choreography is insane. This is prevelant in the bigger numbers such as 96,000 (which was apparently a nightmare to film), and Carnaval Del Barrio, in which the team worked hard to put in styles of dance specific to the countries this community came from. They're also just so much fun, to the extent where you WILL want to download the soundtrack as soon you can, blast them out as loud as possible and attempt to merengue even a quarter as good as these guys do. 

It's not just in the party numbers though, but the personal ones: Patienca Y Fe sung passionately by OG Abuela Claudia, Olga Merediz, is a particular one I need to highlight (as well as the lighting during that screen- WOW); as well as Benny and Nina defying gravity among the fire escapes in When The Sun Goes Down, a sequence that is like if Spiderman was paying tribute to West Side Story. 

Source: In the Heights (2021) - IMDb

The cast pulled together is full of Latinx talent from Broadway, TV and music. 

I've already mentioned Olga Merediz breaking everyone's hearts, but add into that the likes of Melissa Barrera as Vanessa: Leslie Grace as Nina (though her voice does take a bit of getting used to comparing it to Mandy Gonzalez): the original Mimi Marquez, Daphne Rubin-Vega bringing the sass as Daniella: Corey Hawkins as Benny, sounding just like Chris Jackson. Oh and look out for Miranda himself as the Piragüero.

But the star is clearly OBC Hamilton alum Anthony Ramos as Usnavi. When you think about it, there is no one better for this part in this time (I'm saying this in case there's anyone who thinks Lin should have reprised the part come way may). He had the dorkiness, the vulnerability, but most importantly the deep love for his home and community, whether that be Washington Heights or the Dominican Republic. 

"We are not powerless, we are powerful" 

Daniella states this just before breaking into Carnaval Del Barrio. For this group brought together, that is most certainly true. 

Source: In the Heights (2021) - IMDb

You may know that this film was supposed to be released in 2020, but thanks to Ms Rona plans had to change. 

And rather than release it on a streaming platform like other films did, director John M Chu pushed for the release to be a year later so it could be released on cinemas. Yes it has also been released on HBO Max too, but unless you have a MAHOOSIVE TV, it is more than worth seeing this on the big screen as intended. 

In The Heights is one of THE films of Summer 2021 for a reason. It's feel-good, it will make you laugh and cry. It will make you annoyed the Ms Rona-restrictions mean you cannot dance in the aisles with your mask on. 

But most importantly, this is the perfect film to be welcomed back into the cinema. As the restrictions ease, I knew going to the cinema, like the theatre was going to be something to stick a pin in. I could not think of a better film to say "Welcome Home" to. 

For musical theatre nerds, for cinema buffs, for fans of the majority of music genres, I cannot recommend this film enough. It's not perfect by all means (what was the point in Cuca...?), but it leaves you on the kind of high that Lin Manuel Miranda's music can provide.