My introduction to musical artist and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda was in Mary Poppins Kommer Tillbaka, where he portrayed a lamplighter and friend of Poppins. At the time, I was unfamiliar with his work, but I soon discovered his significant presence on Broadway, particularly due to the acclaimed musical Hamilton. In The Heights represents a long-held passion project for Miranda, premiering as a Broadway musical in 2008. Plans for a film adaptation, potentially starring Miranda, were discussed even then, but various factors led to its postponement. Now, 13 years later, In The Heights has been released on Blu-ray, presenting an opportunity to evaluate its cinematic execution.
Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) operates a small bodega in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. He harbors dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic to renovate his father’s former bar. The narrative unfolds amidst a vibrant backdrop of dance and music, following a group of individuals in the community as they navigate their aspirations and contemplate their futures.
I have always appreciated musicals, and The Greatest Showman stands out as one of the most compelling I’ve seen in recent years. That musical possesses a combination of elements: an engaging storyline (historical accuracy aside!), memorable music, and character development that resonates with the audience. In my assessment, In The Heights lacks some of these critical components.
While I attempted to engage with Hamilton, I encountered a certain uniformity in the musical arrangements that I found difficult to connect with. Despite this, the production quality of In The Heights is undeniably high. The direction, helmed by Jon M. Chu (known for Crazy Rich Asians), is competent, and the technical aspects are well-executed. However, the film struggles to evoke genuine emotional investment in the characters. One particular scene, where a daughter declines financial assistance from her father for college, had the potential for significant impact, but the underlying motivations remained insufficiently explored. The adage “show, don’t tell” applies here; simply stating the reasons is not enough to create a compelling connection.
Furthermore, the film presents a narrative largely devoid of significant challenges. In the Broadway version, Usnavi’s store is looted during a blackout. While the power outage is retained in the film, it lacks any consequential conflict (perhaps a deliberate choice considering the looting associated with the BLM protests?). Like any film, a musical requires a structured narrative to captivate its audience; music and dance alone are insufficient. The absence of major defining events in the characters’ lives contributes to a perceived runtime of nearly two and a half hours that ultimately feels protracted. A more concise edit would have greatly benefited the film’s overall impact.
The Blu-ray release delivers stable and vibrant visuals with notable contrast, exhibiting the capabilities of the format. The audio presentation is even more impressive, featuring a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that enhances the viewing experience. In a music-centric film like In The Heights, the soundtrack offers an exceptional aural experience, fully utilizing the potential of a home theater system. The disc also includes a variety of bonus features and sing-along versions of the musical numbers.
In conclusion, while my critique may seem overly negative, it’s important to note that I did not entirely dislike In The Heights. Despite reservations regarding certain structural elements of the narrative, the film remains a well-produced musical that provides a degree of entertainment.
