Finally we're back to enjoying the cinema experience again, something I’ve been craving during these months upon months of lockdown. Although I have been twice since re-opening, the Everyman in Kings Cross felt like a welcome home, especially when going to see the long-awaited ‘In the Heights’ by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The film is theatrical from beginning to end; feeling as though you are joining a fiesta with mostly Latino, and rap inspired music. There is little dialogue like a traditional stage musical adding to the charm, and firmly placing the film within the Musical genre. The plot is romantic and focused on the daily life of the protagonists. There are many famous faces making an appearance, Jimmy Smits, ‘Straight outta Compton’ Corey Hawkins, and OISTNB star Dasha Polanca.
However even with a star-studded cast, the plot feels obvious and the storyline is rather basic. The location, and characters may be not sufficiently represented on Hollywood screens, but the plot of a guy falling for a girl, both who has dreams and trials to overcome is almost as formulaic as it gets. It is one of a kind in relation to its characters and musicality but this does not mean we have not seen similar before. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s aim was to create a story where Latino communities are represented, and it is true that this is a huge community that are not often seen on the Hollywood screens, and it is great to see this changing, however both I and other critics seem to have noticed that nearly all the main Latino characters had a paler skin-tone, thus not quite hitting the mark on fully representing this community. (1) Lin-Manuel Miranda has apologised that there was not sufficient dark-skinned Afro-Latino representation; especially considering part of the reason for creating the film was to give Latinos some representation on the big screen. ‘In the Heights’ does bring to the forefront the struggles of those who have emigrated to the USA (and other countries) and how the sociological and political structures are not supportive of these communities. This adds an element of realism to the film that is less generic, but it is message fairly hidden by the romanticism and theatrical interactions.
The choreography and dancing was impressive; adding a layer of magic to the film. Furthermore the camerawork created smooth transitions and help build a transition between reality and fantasy, thanks to the VFX, which created an additional feeling of Musical magic. The lip sinking was not the best I have seen, with some mouthing cutting off before the voice over had finished.
Overall, is the film worth watching? Yes if you like musicals it is a hit and will be enjoyable, however, if you are expecting genre boundaries to be pushed, this is not what you are looking for.
6/10
Image: IMDB
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