In the Heights (HBO Max)

 

In the Heights (HBO Max)

In the Heights is a delightful film. It is the cinematic version of the popular Broadway show. There are energetic dance numbers and lots of singing with typical immigrant stories of assimilation and reminiscing for a lost past. The pathos of the immigrant story is subsumed  by festive song and dance.

The choreographer is  Andy Blankenbuehler. The dance numbers are like La La Land with  large groups of synchronized dancers. One sequence in a public pool is a homage to Busty Berkley (for does under 40 you can google him). The songs are typical Broadway narrative renditions of hopes, dreams and lose. There is a smattering of rap which is  mercifully  comprehensible unlike Hamilton’s version of rapid rapping.

Some actors will be recognizable, other will be new. Marc Antony makes a minor appearance as an alcoholic negligent father. Jimmy Smit has a larger role as the aspirational father. All the actors do a great job.

The film is a sanitized version of the Heights. There is no crime, no drugs and the closest thing to sex is some modest dirty dancing. I can’t help making a comparison to West Side Story. Both are about tough Manhattan ethnic neighborhoods. West Side Story is kinetic and gritty whereas In the Heights is mellow and a fantasied version of reality.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is brilliant. To go from Hamilton to the Heights displays his range of  talent. Given the predictable onslaught of summer testosterone block busters, the Heights is a refreshing reprieve.