ReviewIn the Heights movie review: Lin-Manuel Miranda musical a joyful festival of song and dance
- Adapted from Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes’ Tony-winning stage hit, with Crazy Rich Asians’ Jon M. Chu directing, it’s a riot of colour and words
- A love letter to Latino culture and to the power of the collective, the breezy and enjoyable romp literally bursts at the seams with happiness
4/5 stars
The “Heights” in question are Washington Heights, the uppermost part of New York’s Manhattan borough where this vibrant musical about ordinary working folk with big plans is set. Adapted from Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes’ Tony-winning stage hit, and with Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu at the helm, it’s a riot of colour, music, wordplay and dance – a film that bursts with joy.
If you’ve only seen Miranda’s subsequent production, Hamilton, you’ll be partly prepared for In the Heights’ hip-hop infused lyrics, brought beautifully to life by a hugely talented cast of newcomers, Broadway stalwarts and at least one movie-star-in-waiting, in the shape of the mesmeric Anthony Ramos.
Set over three days leading up to a citywide power blackout, In the Heights is a patchwork of stories from a neighbourhood much of whose population hails from the Dominican Republic. Leading the pack is Usnavi (Ramos), the owner of a bodega store who is scrimping to return to his native country. If only his plans weren’t complicated by his feelings for fashion student Vanessa (Mexican-born Melissa Barrera).
A secondary love story shapes up between Nina (Leslie Grace) and Benny (Straight Outta Compton’s Dr. Dre, Corey Hawkins), who works for the cab company run by Nina’s father, Kevin (Jimmy Smits). Nina starts out having just quit Stanford, unable to find her place among the wealthy elite, a typically socially conscious plotline adeptly tackled by Chu and co.