“Tick, Tick, Boom!” Review
“Tick, Tick... Boom!” is a movie released in Nov. 2021 based on the autobiographical musical detailing the life of Jonathan Larson, the creator of “Rent” and a famous name in the theatre world, as he struggles through the early 90s to become a successful composer and deal with the problems arising within his genuine relationships. Larson tries to compromise for his girlfriend and keep up with his best friends, some of whom have AIDS. This movie is widely praised, and for a good reason—it's not only one of the best movies to come out recently but also in general. The phenomenal performances given by actors such as Andrew Garfield and Robin de Jésus are enhanced by the incredible direction and story writing, resulting in an astonishing movie musical and tribute to one of the most beloved writers in theatre.
JessnKat, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Although Andrew Garfield is known for his “Spiderman” movies, he was the best choice to play Larson. Looking past the physical similarities, Garfield has an incredible dedication to the role, mimicking exactly how Larson moves, even in the subtlest ways. He spent months learning to sing specifically for the position in order to do justice to Larson's songs. He perfectly blended into the story, existing naturally as if he indeed were a 29-year-old struggling artist living in New York. The movie is structured to include scenes meant to replicate Larson's real-life performances onstage, separate from the story he's telling, and Garfield can make it seem as if you are watching Larson himself. Beyond attention to character, Garfield gave a perfect emotional performance during songs like "30/90" and "Why", expressing the frustration that comes with getting older and having no accomplishments or the pain that comes with knowing a loved one is suffering and there's nothing you can do.
The movie was directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is better recognized for writing and starring in musicals like “Hamilton” and “In the Heights”, as well as for writing the music for Disney movies such as “Moana” and “Encanto’. However, “Tick, Tick... Boom!'“ gives Miranda the chance to flex his directing muscles, and we'll say they rip through the sleeves. Miranda takes the movie in an unexpected direction, giving his scenes a perfect atmosphere and incredibly detailed sets. For example, in the song "Boho Days", Miranda plants shots in the middle of the action and draws them out to create the feeling of actually being among energetic friends at a party. Also, in the set of Larson's apartment are specific details that only add to the movie's realism, such as the sagging bookshelf taken from photos of his actual room. In "No More", Miranda switches between long, flowing shots to accentuate the light, floating feeling of the music and choreography, and rapid, moving shots to build the high, occasionally chaotic energy of the song. The way he handles "Therapy" by cutting between the music being performed on stage and the argument that inspired it between Larson and his girlfriend requires an entire essay in itself, as well as the wide-open shots in "Sunday".
It was also an incredible idea to structure the story, so it's regularly switching between clips of Larson's recreated onstage performances and the actual story of his life. It makes the movie feel incredibly personal while also providing a way to advance its events and explain the songs naturally. It reminds us that Larson is not just a character, but a real person who is sharing his story through “Tick, Tick... Boom!”. The contrast between the "future" Larson and past Larson also makes the storyline's progression satisfying because it reveals what will ultimately result from what we see in the narrative parts of the movie.
There is never a time where the movie moves too fast or too slow; it is accurate for how musicals are made, showing Larson's frustration and work progress. It doesn't simply go from an idea straight to the stage—it requires effort and refinement, all of which is shown in “Tick, Tick... Boom!”. None of Larson's efforts go unnoticed. The gradual breakdown of Larson and his girlfriend's relationship does not happen overnight; it is palpable to the audience and realistic without being dragged out.
Overall, the movie is a beautiful tribute to a hardworking theatre composer and his story. It's only a shame that he can't be alive to see it, just as he wasn't alive to see “Rent”. “Tick, Tick... Boom!” combines excellent acting, directing, storytelling, songs, and choreography to create a fantastic movie that everyone should see. “Tick, Tick... Boom!” If you like “Tick, Tick... Boom!” you might also like “A Chorus Line”, another musical that explores the theatre world and the personal stories of the people within it.
Related Reading:
Remembering Jonathan Larson on What Would Have Been His 62nd Birthday