IN THE HEIGHTS

Kherington Themer (12 years) said after seeing this production, “I think this is now my ‘all-time favorite movie,’ and I never once lost interest or got bored during the entire show!”

“Cinema” is back in business, and the Themers have their 2021 Movie Passport Card! In the Heights is calling to all viewers, and we say you should all answer the call! This Broadway production began as a musical, and it was an award-winner. A predominantly “Dominican” neighborhood allows viewers to follow Puerto Ricans and other 1st generation immigrants from the Dominican Republic and Cuba as they pass the time of several summer days of “scorching” heat.

From what I read and hear, audience and professional reviews are both 95%, which is about the best I have ever encountered. Usually if one type is good, the other is not so good!

The movie shows “everyday struggles” of Latinos rather than focusing upon the seamier side of legal problems and other cliched struggles of their personal community. It is shot on the streets of Washington Heights with bodegas, parks, swimming pools, and other common public spaces/places.

The movie attempts to explain why the characters are SINGING, and the material is presented as a children’s story!

The scenes take place just outside the 181st Street subway shop, where a “kaleidoscope rallies this vibrant and tightly-knit community” and tries to make little dreams seem and/or become BIG! Lottery tickets play a large part in the story.

As Usnavi’s shop opens, the people of the story move in quickly—relatives, shop keepers, people in love and those who might want to be, fashionable “wannabes,” lottery ticket buyers, and “dreamers,” who wonder what it might be like if they are WINNERS. Usnavi saves the money he makes with his bodega and sings about what the “new day and better life” might bring. MIGHT BRING is important to the people and the story!

The production is rated PG-13, but it is not “too bad” with a little strong language and suggestive lyrics. Lasting almost 2 ½ hours, this show length means you might want to be sure to bring in refreshments as you enter but also to consider a “restroom break” before the feature begins.

The cast is composed of Anthony Ramos (Usnavi), Corey Hawkins (Benny), Leslie Grace (Nina Rosario), Melissa Barrera (Vanessa), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), Jimmy Smits (Kevin Rosario); every actor/actress does such a great job of showing the struggles and heartbreaks and joys that the members of this COMMUNITY endured and enjoyed as they continued their journeys through life to “hoped-for” successes!

I have read more than one review that says this production should be a “sure-fire Oscar contender/winner” and deserves to be on the largest screen possible to showcase all its visual and sound musical beauty and “sense of infectious joy!” And a young grandmother (my wife, Vivian) and our 12-years-old granddaughter (Kherington) both thought IN THE HEIGHTS was great and recommend it for nearly all to see, except maybe some of the “too young set.”

And both of them kept saying, “This was so good, so good! I could go see it again tomorrow.” Oh, yes, if you watch and pay attention to the very end, Vivian is prodding me to remind that you will learn why and how USNAVI received his special name!