| Rent (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition) | 
 enlarge | Actors: Rod Arrants, Darryl Chan, Eleanor Columbus, Clarke P.devereux, Darryl Edwards
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.94
Buy Used: $3.18
You Save: $16.76 (84%)
New (46) Used (82) Collectible (2) from $3.18
Avg. Customer Rating:  373 reviews
Sales Rank: 2590
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Running Time: 135 minutes
Number Of Items: 2
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: RENT SPEC
UPC: 043396111554
EAN: 0043396111554
ASIN: B000E1YVZU
Theatrical Release Date: November 23, 2005
Release Date: February 21, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In new yorks east village a group of bohemians struggle to express themselves through their art & strive for success & acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty illness & the aids epidemic. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 06/27/2006 Starring: Rosario Dawson Jesse L Martin Run time: 135 minutes Rating: Pg13
Amazon.com
Rent, the show that in 1996 gave voice to a Broadway generation, has finally become an energetic, passionate, and touching movie musical. Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, it focuses on the year in the life of a group of friends in New York's East Village--"bohemians" who live carefree lives of art, music, sex, and drugs. Well, carefree until Mark, an aspiring filmmaker (Anthony Rapp), and Roger, an aspiring songwriter (Adam Pascal), find out they owe a year's rent to Benny (Taye Diggs), a former friend who had promised them free residence when he married the landlord's daughter. Roger has also attracted the attention of his downstairs neighbor, Mimi (Rosario Dawson), while Mark's former girlfriend, Maureen (Idina Menzel), has found a new romance in a lawyer named Joanne (Tracie Thoms). Philosophy professor Tom (Jesse L. Martin) finds his soul mate in drag queen Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia). But because this is the late-'80s, the threat of AIDS is always present. The remarkable thing about Rent the movie is that nearly 10 years after the show debuted on Broadway, six of the eight principals return in the roles they originated. They're a bit older than would be ideal for their characters, but they do have the advantage of having learned the show directly from creator Jonathan Larson (who died of an aortic aneurysm while the show was in previews), plus they started young--we're not exactly talking Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford here. Alongside a polished performance like Rapp's--sometimes observer-commentator, sometimes participant in two of the score's showstoppers, "The Tango Maureen" and "La Vie Boheme"--the two new additions (Thoms in place of Fredi Walker, Dawson in place of the edgier Daphne Rubin-Vega) slip comfortably into the ensemble; the pivotal Dawson makes a seductive case as Mimi when she tempts Roger in the mesmerizing "Light My Candle" or burns up the stage of the Catscratch Club in "Out Tonight." Moviegoers who have an aversion to people who break into song while walking down the street probably won't have their minds changed by Rent (even if they are singing rock songs), and the gritty subject matter and lack of big-name stars make it unlikely to cross over to general audiences the way Chicago did. But fans of musicals should find "Seasons of Love" as stirring as ever, and the show's passionate admirers--the "Rentheads"--probably couldn't have wished for a more sympathetic director than Rent fan Chris Columbus, or a more faithful representation of the show they love. --David Horiuchi On the DVD
Three powerful musical numbers cut from the final film are the highlight of the two-disc DVD. In the aftermath of the funeral scene, Anthony Rapp sings "Halloween," and he, Adam Pascal, and Rosario Dawson share "Goodbye Love" (both songs were in the stage version). Then in an alternate ending, the cast finishes "No Day But Today" on the bare stage on which the film began. There are worthwhile arguments for why these scenes were cut or replaced, so it's fortunate that the DVD lets us see these at all. Those musical numbers have optional commentary by director Chris Columbus, Rapp, and Pascal (two other cut scenes have no commentary), including one funny moment in which Rapp explains in great detail the technical challenge of shooting "Halloween" only to have Columbus say, "Yeah, but I don't know if that's the take we used." The three also provide commentary on the film itself, with Columbus discussing various decisions, criticizing the critics, and marveling "I still don't know how we got the PG-13," and Rapp and Pascal occasionally recalling differences in the stage version. The other whopper of a feature is No Day But Today, a nearly two-hour documentary that uses video clips, still photographs, and interviews with family and friends to celebrate the short life of Jonathan Larson and his creation. Topics include his early interest in musical theater ("I want to write the Hair for the '90s."), the support of Stephen Sondheim, the impact of the AIDS epidemic, the long and difficult road of Rent (casting the show, Larson learning to collaborate, the transfer to a Broadway stage, and the Rentheads), and Larson's tragic death. The last 20 minutes covers the making of the film, director Chris Columbus, the decision to rely on most of the original cast (the only two principals who didn't appear in the movie, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Fredi Walker-Browne, are interviewed in earlier segments, but only mentioned in passing here), recording sessions, and location shooting. If the movie of Rent was a tribute to Jonathan Larson, the DVD is all that and more, a moving and incredibly detailed look at an extraordinary talent whom the world lost far too soon. --David Horiuchi More Rent 
Movie soundtrack | 
Original Broadway cast recording | 
Anthony Rapp's Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical "Rent" |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 368 more reviews...
 Excellent! November 7, 2008
An amazing movie that does justice to the original stage production. Performances are wonderful.
great movie, great storyline October 24, 2008
RENT is the best musical out there. The rock opera mix is perfect, and it is a must buy for musical lovers out there. However, some may find the contents a little disturbing due to the fact that it is during the AIDS pandemic (IDK if that's what it would be called really). All in all..Great Movie.
Excellent Movie and Great Condition October 12, 2008
When I received the movie it seemed to be very well kept...It was like brand new
 See the Live Version September 26, 2008
The trouble with Rent is that most people see it for the surface plot, and take it as a musical about people with AIDS. In fact, for some of the most die-hard fans, it took a few listens and years of letting the lyrics sink in to understand the message behind the story. It's not a musical about AIDS; it's a musical about people learning to live life in the moment -- live for today -- and find happiness instead of dwelling in regret and indecision. Any artist knows this feeling, and that's perhaps why so many fans are other struggling artists while people who are "mainstream" or professional don't find a connection with the story or its characters.
While the character relationships are inspired by the characters in La Boheme, the lyrics and the heart of this story are rooted in social issues that its creator dealt with; in struggling for his art, for his career, and while watching many of the people around him die. Today we live in a society where having AIDS isn't so much of a death sentence with the proper care and medication... but in 1989, the first generations who had contracted it earlier and were now reaching the end of their lifespan were dealing with a much different life, involving a lot of confusion, fear, and regret. The point is not that all of these people have AIDS; if you actually take the time to hear the words as a message and a lesson to learn, what you receive is very profound and eye-opening. In fact, only 4 of the 8 main characters are ill. No one complained that La Boheme, the world's most beloved opera, was about a bunch of people complaining about the plague; perhaps because it's easier to listen to people dwell on something we're not afraid of anymore. AIDS makes people uncomfortable.
Contrary to the opinions of some viewers who feel that the costumes and sets and characters are cliche and almost caricature in nature... perhaps these people don't LIVE the life depicted in the musical. After all, shows like Jesus Christ Superstar are just as ridiculous to me because of my religious beliefs -- or lack thereof -- and so one can't expect me to share the same appreciation for something I don't understand. However, the people who do adore the musical will tell you that they also dressed that way and lived that way and that we are NOT caricatures to be made fun of. I DID dress like that. I WAS stared at by those who were conservative... but there are two kinds of audiences: those who look for entertainment value and those who appreciate the poetry and the symbolism. After all, with the exception of Chicago, I loathe flashy, dancy musicals because I find them unrealistic and cheesy. But that's just ME.
To say that this is clearly an amalgamation of stereotypes by a creator who didn't understand his material is utterly ridiculous if you take the time to read about Jonathan Larson and his life; especially what inspired him to write this musical in the first place. To suggest that he was some big shot who thought it might be cute to write about this subject material without firsthand experience... well... maybe it is the reviewers who follow the stereotypes. It is Mr. Larson who is also rolling in his grave.
What I WILL say about the Rent movie is that it stinks. I was a Renthead who saw it every weekend during its run. Call me crazy -- in retrospect I know it sounds lame -- but you also have to consider that some people go to church every week to reaffirm their belief system, while Rent taught me to appreciate life and where I am, regardless of the hardships. To accept who I am and where I'm going without fear. To trust in risk and not feel so obligated to follow the rigid, conservative structure we're pressured to comply with because of judgment and conformity. In the end, as long as I love what I do and surround myself in people I love, happiness is with me. That was a lesson worth every single one of those weekends... and it's clearly not what the opposition got from this musical, but it just goes to show you that there is something deeper than what's on the surface. And that's a legitimate response. Some people don't think they should have to get to know the show first, or spend more than one sitting in order to appreciate it. Some people expect it to be laid out for them, to see a show and go home. If you're expecting that, this isn't the kind of theatre you should see. It deals with many issues, from battling with your pursuit of your art versus "the real world", family obligations, love triangles, illness, inability to let people into your heart... all issues some of know quite well all our lives. For the right person, it can be a very thought-provoking and life-changing experience with an important message.
But it was a message that did not come through when Hollywood tried to take control of the project. Fans and newbies alike either love or hate this film, and I am thoroughly disappointed with it, despite the nostalgia of the (mostly) original cast members. I just happened to see a new Rent movie this evening: the final Broadway performance -- filmed live on stage -- and I am finally satisfied that I have seen a proper Rent movie. THAT is the movie I would recommend for someone wanting to experience the musical as it should be. Even *I* found the Hollywood characters flat and hollow, but perhaps it's not a story for this kind of film, or perhaps the cut material made more of a difference than they anticipated. Either way... there is not "rap" song. I don't know WHAT that reviewer is talking about. There are some weaker pieces -- which happens with musicals -- but the ones that snagged the followers are the ones with a message about acceptance, love, and living for the moment.
Ultimately, audiences either love or hate Rent, and the response is pretty predictable depending on where you came from, how creative you are, and the kind of social outlook you have. And I don't mean social classes -- I mean just your social circle, career path, or view of city life. This musical isn't for everyone, that's for sure. But just because you didn't share our experiences doesn't make it bad or inaccurate; it just means you don't sympathize because it's not a story you relate to.
 Better than expected September 17, 2008
Let me state that I have never been a fan of musicals. I loathed most of the Golden Age Hollywood musicals that my parents loved, and those from my youth, the 1960s and 1970s (Hair, Jesus Christ, Superstar, Godspell, etc.), did not move me, either- at least dramatically, even if the songs were great. There's something about people breaking out into song that is just so forced that, dramatically, is too much to overcome. Perhaps the only film musical that totally worked for me was Evita, and that's because it was one long music video, from beginning to end, with literally only one sentence of spoken dialogue. However, musicals have been making a comeback in film. Moulin Rouge led the way, a few years back, and it's a truly great musical, if not a film. Chicago won an Academy Award for Best Picture the following year, even though it's not half the film, nor musical, Moulin Rouge is. Then, came the Cole Porter biopic, De-Lovely, and, well, Cole Porter, Cole Porter. It was a very good film that incorporated music wonderfully and intriguingly into its plot, the life's tale of the legendary composer. Next came Rent, the film version of Jonathan Larson's late 1980s musical that dominated Broadway last decade, which updated Puccini's opera, La Boheme for the AIDS era. Surprisingly, while only also a great composer of ballads and rip roaring rock tunes. Without doubt, Rent has as many great songs as Hair or Godspell ever did- perhaps more.
Yes, the actual story the tale tells is slight and often silly, if I'm being generous....Yes, the characters are stereotypes and caricatures, there is no real development of their psyches, and the film ends in shameless melodrama- the abandoned and now homeless Mimi's death and resurrection, and preachiness- in its regard of the anomic, dead transvestite Angel as somehow the apex of the human experience. But, as I always asked people who harped about the 1998 Hollywood version of Godzilla, `What did you really expect from a film where a giant lizard stomps on New York; Brando in Streetcar?' Similarly, what can one reasonably expect from a work that glorifies AIDS suffering in such a Romantic light, as well the inanities and irresponsibilities of young drug addicts and sexual freak shows who somehow believe that the world owes them something merely for their breathing, and that having to actually pay rent to someone to live somewhere is a form of fascism? If you answered, `Well, maybe, good music,' you are absolutely right, and, fortunately, Rent has much of that to spare. Ultimately, the music, and Larson's brilliance in the crafting of his infectiously catchy tunes, is the film's saving grace. And, when has even a little bit of grace ever been a bad thing?
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