Rent (aka La Bohème)

I watched La Bohème in September out of curiosity. I've had Rent DVDs from the library since then but finally watched the movie version this morning. It seemed quite timely to talk about rent, evictions, and starving artists. But as much as I can see how it was inspired by La Bohème, it was definitely modernized.

There are same sex relationships and a transgender character. There's drug addiction, a cinematographer, and protests. 

The cast was simply amazing. Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, etc. I confess that I was working on a sorting project as I watched, so my attention was divided a bit.

It was longer than I anticipated (135 minutes), so I only watched the intro of the version filmed on Broadway. I'm sure the stage production is also amazing, but there are so many things you can do in film that you cannot do on a stage. 

The story made me sad and a bit reflective. I have a better understanding of the story now, so when I see  and hear references to either La Bohèmeor Rent, I will "get it." Time to return these to the library!

Opera

I had requested La Bohème on DVD from the library because I was curious. I'd never seen it, nor have I seen Rent (yet). I read enough to have a sense of the story and to know that Rent is loosely based on La Bohème.

The library kept renewing it for me because I kept not watching it. I was pretty confident Louie wouldn't be interested in seeing it. Finally, my renewals are up and it must be returned! I watched it last night.

1. I'm super glad it automatically had the English subtitles. Italian opera is relatively incomprehensible to me.

2. Not everything that was being sung had a subtitle . . . 

3. What? What happened between the second and third acts?!?! How did Rodolfo and Mimi go from being madly in love to jealous and fighting? Did I look down at a project for a crucial few moments?

Most of all, watching this made me think of my mom. Every once in a while, she would listen to opera on NPR. I would complain and ask her why she liked listening to "people screaming in Italian" so much. She pretty much brushed me off. I wish I could ask her genuinely now . . . what about this appeals to you?

I don't regret having watched it. I enjoyed seeing Pavarotti and the other performers. I have a deeper understanding of the story (so when it is referenced, my cultural literacy is improved) and now I can watch Rent. Win!

I also have to say that I had a positive opera experience. High school friend Leslie invited Jenifer, Connie, and me to see a show when she was involved with Minnesota Opera. I mostly admired the costumes and read the words on a screen to the side of the stage, but I also remember that Alan Page was there! Thanks, Leslie, for sharing that experience.