Backlash to the rent movie etc.- Page 1
Backlash to the rent movie etc.
#1Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:08pm
What do you think it is about the medium of film that allows for more backlash to the content of a show, like rent? For example, it would be difficult to find backlash on the homosexuality in the show, whereas there are tons and tons of websites and reviews about the movie that you wouldnt find for the stage.
For example:
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0002427.cfm
“Rent is built around an in-your-face glorification of homosexuality and lesbianism. Tom and Angel dance and sing a love duet (“Oh, lover, I’ll cover you”). Angel is rarely seen out of drag and acts effeminately. Maureen dumped Mark for Joanne but continues to flirt with both men and women. She makes no apologies for this, singing to a jealous Joanne, “There will always be women ... flirting with me/Take me for what I am/... I can’t be what I’m not/Don’t you want your girl hot?” Maureen and Joanne become “betrothed” and hold an engagement ceremony, which provides an opportunity for the playwright to mock heterosexual expectations.”
“Whether moviegoers are aware of it or not, they’re being preached at. And this sermon contains a romanticized glorification of a lifestyle—be it homosexuality or what should now be called neo-bohemianism—that despite the movie's upbeat conclusion ends ultimately in hopelessness.”
http://christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2005/rent2005.html
My girlfriend really wanted to see this film, so I took her out and we watched only ½ of the movie because it was too racy and morally filthy for us. Out of the 10 or so stars in the film; like 7 are homosexuals. The movie may be fine for non-believers in Jesus Christ, but for those who follow God’s Word; this may not be the right kind of movie for yourself or your family.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 3
—Michael Uhlig, age 24
Completely goes against the Bible. I was totally disgusted. Its core is homosexuality. Very disappointing. It’s nothing like the previews.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 3½
—Sarah, age 16
In response to someone’s positive review:
Wow, Helena, I’m disappointed with your open-mindedness. Sex is not 'love', it’s just the way we reproduce. And the being 'moved by compassion' idea is baseless. That’s like saying that we should watch the movie Saw and feel sorry for all those people who died and went to hell. Homosexuality is a hateful sin, according to Leviticus 18:22, the God whom we serve clearly says, 'Thou shalt not lie with a man as you would a woman. It is a hateful sin.' The sexual immorality portrayed in this and other movies is completely wrong. The drug use hurts the people which I’m certain God doesn’t appreciate. Although the movie is rated PG-13, little kids still get to see it. And Jesus says that it would be better for a man to be thrown into the sea with a millstone about his neck, than to lead even one of his little ones astray.
Open-mindedness is an unsafe way to live, for it gives the Satan (the Adversary) many more opportunities to invade our minds, hearts, and lives. Sarah is right to be disgusted, for it is an abomination to God. To hate homosexuality, doesn’t mean that you hate the homosexual. It goes back to the old phrase: 'Hate the sin, love the sinner'.
—Ben, age 18
I find that last one particularly disturbing. But anyway why do you think this is?
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
TooDarnHot
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/7/08
#2re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:11pmwell what do you expect when you use christiananswers.net for one of your examples???
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#2re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:12pm
Movies are more readily accessible for one.
And the only backlash this film deserves is the backlash for it being a sh*tty movie.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#3re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:14pm
My girlfriend really wanted to see this film, so I took her out and we watched only ½ of the movie because it was too racy and morally filthy for us. Out of the 10 or so stars in the film; like 7 are homosexuals. The movie may be fine for non-believers in Jesus Christ, but for those who follow God’s Word; this may not be the right kind of movie for yourself or your family.
Ha ha ha, that's classic.
The movie just SUCKED.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#4re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:15pmAnd the playwright isn't responsible for that awful lesbian wedding nonsense. That blame falls squarely on the director and screenwriter.
#5re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:28pm
Oh, I totally agree. But even so, those sites come right up when you search for backlash to the rent movie whereas I have yet to find anything that critisizes the HOMOSEXUALITY in the broadway show (not to say there arent negative reviews of the show itself)
I mean I assume it's because films are more accessable to the general public because its more widespread and its cheaper (MUCH cheaper if you dont know about student rush or lotto) And for most tourists going to see broadway show is an event so one would probably heavily research it before seeing it whereas its easy to just go see a random movie.
Do you think that Broadway, the theatre central, being in new york (a city with a large gay population) has a major impact on the reason that homosexual characters are so much more accepted in shows than say on the screen.
Take something like Brokeback mountain, for example, which tried to do the same thing (not bring up the homosexual aspect of the love as the main perspective) that got so far away from that that it even became part of slang ("don't pull a brokeback on me")
just wondering what everyone elses thoughts were.
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#6re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:38pm
You gotta read this:
http://www.capalert.com/capreports/rent.htm
It makes me laugh.
"Writing is like prostitution. First, you do it for love, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for money." ~ Moliere
#7re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:44pm
that was fabulous, thank you.
PS since when is Mimi a prostitute? haha
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#8re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 2:46pm
Jesus spent three days in Hell so you and I would not have to spend one moment there.
Mmm, well watching the ReNt film felt like spending three months in hell.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#9re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 3:01pmDamn footing waching christians make me laugh sooooo much.
#10re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 3:13pmIf I am remembering correctly, there were protesters in front of the theater back in the beginning.
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#11re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 3:17pmThere was some backlash when the show opened in '96. Finding sources online will be a challenge though, the internet was really just entering homes at that point and a lot of publications and organizations were not yet online.
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
#12re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 5:19pmOy!!!
"I told you, NO Rodgers and Hammerstein!"- Bart Simpson
TooDarnHot
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/7/08
#13re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 5:24pmoops. wrong thread. nevermind. Updated On: 5/3/08 at 05:24 PM
#14re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/3/08 at 5:28pmIs this backlash day for you, or something?
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#16re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/4/08 at 2:12am
LTE: nope, its writing a 10 page paper on homonormativity in modern american theatre day for me 
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#17re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/4/08 at 2:39am
"And the only backlash this film deserves is the backlash for it being a sh*tty movie.
LOL! And so true."
Oh come now, the music was good!
Everything else? Notsomuch.
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#19re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/4/08 at 3:10amso true, i honestly can't stand the "sound" of the soundtrack and the way they've reworked the orchestrations. It works along with the movie (i guess) but is awful on its own. Sort of like the promo ads and screen shots, they're so bright it's almost tacky!
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#20re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/4/08 at 3:25am
I love the RENT soundtrack, and we also own the OBCR. I mostly listen to Daphne, though.
When we saw it live, the sound sucked. Maybe it was the theatre. I dunno. Actually, the entire show sucked.
"Writing is like prostitution. First, you do it for love, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for money." ~ Moliere
#21re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/4/08 at 3:55am
I'm with Phyllis. The backlash the movie deserves is for having 90% miscast actors (thank God for Tracie Thoms, Rosario Dawson, and Wilson Jermaine Heredias), an awful screenplay, and one of the worst directors that could have been attached to the film.
Although I stopped being a fan of RENT when I started reading Sarah Schulmann's work, I wish that series that was to star the likes of Neil Patrick Harris and Wilson Cruz.
Either way, it's obvious that the film is more likely to be seen by different audiences. Also, I'm pretty sure that theater audiences tend to be a bit more informed about the play/musical they are seeing than film audiences are. But that's just speculation from my part.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#23re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/4/08 at 12:59pm
LePetiteFromage,
I'm so glad you mentioned not mentioning HOW April died. That always bugged me. If we are to assume she just died of AIDs, it really doesn't make her diametrically opposed to Angel and Mimi. Her CHOOSING to give up on her life and Roger in the show makes Angel and Mimi's refusal to do so that much more powerful. At a book signing/Q+A with Anthony, I even asked him how he felt about the removal of that piece of information and he said that he didn't think it mattered HOW April died. That loss is loss.
#24re: Backlash to the rent movie etc.
Posted: 5/4/08 at 1:20pmOh please, Anthony Rapp's (and some of the cast's) denial/rationalizations about the shortcomings of the film are pretty absurd.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
