Go ahead, start flaming now.

[madbaker]

Rent: an alternative plot synopsis

A bunch of self-proclaimed "artists" have been squatting in an apartment that isn't theirs. When the owner says they have to actually pay rent like normal people, they get terribly offended and refuse. When they get legally locked out, they break in destructively. They feel justified in doing so because they are "artists".

One of the artists gets a job, but he decides that he is betraying his artistic ideals by actually receiving a paycheck and quits. The group steals money from a bank to pay rent. Everyone finds this a Good Thing because stealing from corporations isn't actually stealing. Especially for "artists".

What I'm reading: Brent Weeks, Shadow's Edge

Comments

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

What am I intending? The plot of "Rent" annoys me. I posted my synopsis of it. I know that a lot of people love it unconditionally and I am expecting "ZOMG YOU SUK".

Kidding, except that Rent really does annoy me.

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha. I haven't seen the show, and don't really have much interest, but that's pretty good.

[lifeofglamour.livejournal.com]

Is it like La Boheme? Do they all die at the end?

[cathyn.livejournal.com]

In general, and with only a few exceptions, I have a great disdain for musicals. Having once been subjected to the "Rent" soundtrack on infinite repeat over the course of a weekend (over my repeated objections) did nothing to change my general opinion, nor did it suddenly induce in me with a great love of this one, quite the opposite in fact. "Rent" sucks. Most musicals suck. The people that like them are entitled to their opinion, yet it is an opinion that I do not share, but we can agree to disagree on that point and move on.

Thanks for the rant! :-)

[cathyn.livejournal.com]

You mean everyone dies, and they sing about it?!? Can't I just have Hamlet, where they have the decency to die without all the singing? :-)

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

But where's the fun in that? Besides, it wouldn't be a musical, then ... that's it! Hamlet: The Musical! OOOH!

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

Didn't they do that with a strip-tease in The Magic Christian?

[mad-duchess.livejournal.com]

::snort:: Most excellent. I generally love musicals but have not seen this one because I was also put off by the premise. I haven't seen Wicked either because I'm probably the only person on the face of the planet that thought the book was a bore (and not being a fan of the orignal Wizard of Oz probably doesn't help).

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

I never actually (gasp!) watched that one ...

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

The book was a bit pretentious, although (IMO) wasn't horrible. The other books (I haven't read the rest of that series) that he wrote ... well ... I don't own them anymore. They were ... okay. (I, too am a fan of classic musicals, and even some of the modern ones, Spamalot being at the top of that list ...)

What about the Red Elvises Musical?

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

SIX STRING SAMURAI!

Having done musical theater, it's a special mindset. BUt it can be very fun, if you can suspend reality like a republican!

Re: What about the Red Elvises Musical?

[cathyn.livejournal.com]

Not really a musical, but a regular movie with a terrific soundtrack. None of the characters burst into song to elaborate on their feelings about their situation. Played a bit of guitar? Yes. Sang? Not so much.

Yup.

[dakini-bones.livejournal.com]

Thats pretty much it.

[xrian.livejournal.com]

You're not the only one, FWIW ;)

[tsgeisel.livejournal.com]

I admit, I enjoyed watching the movie version of Rent, but everything in your synopsis is true, and I found almost no reason to care about any of the characters...except maybe Maureen. But I did like most of the music.

I think a big part of it is the carryover effect from the original stage version, which garnered a very large following, and that it was talking about a very relevant issue at the time.

I see why people like it so much..but nowadays it's a lot easier to be cynical about it than way back when.

[aimeric.livejournal.com]

Meh. I prefer "East Hastings."

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

What very relevant issue was it talking about? That self-proclaimed artists can squat and steal with impunity?

Sorry, I was cynical about it back then too. Just because the author died, it does not get a free pass.

Could someone take the gag off me, now?

[fionnbharro.livejournal.com]

Or the musical version of "Ralph Roister-D*Mmmmph-mmph*!

[666-bookwyrm.livejournal.com]

You're not the only person on earth who was bored by Wicked...

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Snicker. Um ... yeah.

[j-i-m-r.livejournal.com]

yup, down to a bare, bare bodkin

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Don't get me goin'. I always thought that the "Artists" in Rent were no-talent, whiney bitches in the first place.