tick, tick...Boom! Reviews

tick, tick… Boom! Is a movie that proves itself to be a great spin on a solo musical that has a purpose to do right by its creator Jonathan Larson, who died suddenly before the release of his hit musical +Rent. Lin-Manuel Miranda directs this film, and although he has been involved in a multitude of different projects, it is surprisingly his first feature. Miranda's works can be recognizably good and also, for lack of a better word, cringeworthy, but this film fully delivers. Miranda, coupled with Andrew Garfield's stellar performance, make this movie informative but also something very special for audiences who love the theater. The story follows Jon (Andrew Garfield), who is trying to sell the musical, Superbia, that he has been working on for years. At the same times, he is managing a job as a waiter, his relationship with his girlfriend (Alexandra Shipp), his friends being diagnosed with and dealing with HIV/AIDS during the height of the pandemic, and the impending dread that he has lost his chance to excel in the theater industry because his 30th birthday is in a week. Jon works tirelessly to finish up Superbia ahead of a workshop for his musical where he hopes to be able to sell it. Jon has to reassess his life and his musical as he decides whether what he is doing is worth it all, or if he has to give up his dream and finally settle into a regular life. The narration of the film is a bit peculiar yet very effective. It cuts between Jon's solo musical and the events as they happened in his life. This allows the audience to see what is going on and how Jon interprets these events, providing an extra dose of levity, sadness, and joy. The musical numbers are engaging, and they are songs that are just as good outside the context of the movie. Another high point of the film is Garfield's performance. The effectiveness of the movie hinges on his performance, and he elevates the story like none other. Even with few previous credits at this film's release, Garfield has proven that he can be a chameleon of an actor and inhabit any role that he takes on. Robin de Jesus provides a phenomenal supporting performance; while playing Jon's best friend, he seems like the antithesis of Jon because he has given up the theater life and has chosen to pursue a "regular job." He is a grounding force for Jon in the movie, but he also persuades Jon to keep going because he has a gift. Finally, Linn-Manual Miranda is to equally be commended. He clearly had a vision for this story, and it works completely. He puts the story of Jonathan Larson to screen, and one can tell he had a need and purpose to get it out there. For fans of Rent and musical theater in general, this film is a must-watch. It has all the frills of a good musical, but it is elevated by the performances and direction and will have moviegoers in awe of the spectacle put before them.