In The Heights

 

It grew in me, but I wasn’t blown away by it
This just about underlined what I thought about Lin Manual Miranda’s intensely personal production of 
In The Heights. 
Now you could tell from the get go that this sprawling depiction of Miranda’s home “town” of Washington Heights , the Latina quarter of New York, was going to be a nostalgic homage to a diverse community which is longing for home or indeed desperate to escape it but, for me despite the colour, the huge flamboyant set pieces and the rhythms, it was all a bit too much. 

Anthony Ramos


Having said this, the cast was impeccable. Anthony Ramos is an instantly lovable leading man and Melissa  Barrera and Leslie Grace stand out as two twenty something women who are both trying to forge themselves a place in a city who still view latina women as nothing more than waitresses and maids .
 Olga Merediz also shines, reprising her stage role as the quarter’s gentle natured matriarch Abuela , an old lady who has never forgotten the poverty of her homeland of Cuba.
Enjoyable. Energetic and Occasionally stunning, it’s well worth seeing……
But I wasn’t blown away .

Olga Merediz

Chester races were on yesterday, so the city was buzzing with drunken race goers when we came out of the cinema. It felt like a Latina carnival itself. 
It was nice to go for supper late in a restaurant overlooking Bridge Street and watch the world stagger by
Big thank you to the Storyhouse front of house who gave me one of her bespoke masks when I forgot mine 


42 comments:

  1. I notice there's a little goat on your polo shirt. Is that to warn others that you are now an old goat or are you in fact wearing a fund-raising hospice garment?

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  2. Enjoyed reading your review.

    Supper watching the world stagger by sounds fun. Would like to visit Chester one day.

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    Replies
    1. It felt as though we were on holiday

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  3. Not a fan of musicals, and the promos for this one looked like it was trying a bit too hard.

    I loved Chester when I visited it.

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    1. Nor me, but I’m glad I’ve seen it

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  4. It's a shame when plays or films don't quite hit the mark. You forgetting your mask reminds me of what I used to say to children at school who'd "forgotten" their glasses - "It's like your pants - don't leave home without them." Glad you had a friendly person to give you a mask, rather than chuck you out of the restaurant! xx

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    1. It’s quite gay, I’m going to keep it

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    2. I'm sure you mean gay in every sense of the word. Suits you, sir! xx

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    3. Thank you that woman

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  5. I might go and see it some time.

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    Replies
    1. I’d be interested what others think of it

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  6. You're looking thinner! x

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    1. I’ve lost nearly a stone

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    2. a slip of a thing x

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    3. But a stone is a good chunk. Put a stone of books in a bag and try to carry it around for a bit, if you're not impressed; you soon will be!

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  7. Nice flower design on the mask John-and how fitting after your morning reclining in the meadow x

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  8. I'd thought that this film would have been the one to lure be back into the cinema - as yet no visit since last Sept. Alas, your take on it gives me second thoughts, though must admit that the idea of resuming cinema-going doesn't enthuse me at all anyway. I am, however, rather more keen to see the new Colin Firth/Stanley Tucci bromance 'Supernova', set largely in the Lake District, which has been getting very positive reviews, some superlatively so. Let's see if when it comes here it'll tip me over to go.

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    1. I couldn’t cope with SUPERNOVA , I’d find it too painful a watch.
      Raymondo, please go and see In The Heights , despite my reservations , I did enjoy most of it

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  9. The New York Times was underwhelmed by the movie. I see you, too, have reservations, but still, like you say, it sounds like it's well worth seeing. We're going this week.

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    1. I’d me interested in your own review

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  10. Your views are duly noted, however, you do seem to prefer dramas over everything else.

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    1. Yes, I’m not a lover of. Film musicals , perhaps I’m just a drama queen Dave

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  11. Barbara Anne1:37 pm

    I was glad to read your take on "The Heights" and I imagine some of those songs will stick with you! Love the joyfully colored mask!
    "... and watch the world stagger by." Face it, you're a wonderful writer, John.
    Remember to wallow in the delight of no long drive and many hours of work this week. :)

    Hugs!

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    1. Yes, some of the set pieces were wonderful cinema

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  12. Anonymous1:41 pm

    Lin Manual Miranda has already apologised for the lack of diversity in the movie.

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    1. I thought his casting was diverse, scores of people from Latin countries were included. I m guessing it was because only one black actor was cast in the main roles

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  13. Nice mask! I saw "In the Heights" on Broadway and really liked it. I might get around to the movie, or not.

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  14. It suits. Fetching mask. :)

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  15. Cute and colourful mask! It looks good on you!

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    1. Very gay, appropriate in Pride month

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  16. "In the Heights" much ado about nothing. Disapointing

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  17. Thanks for the review. I have seen several different previews and I was not overly impressed by it. I think it is one of those movies that gets so much hype in advance that it can't live up to it. Congrats on your weight loss, I know it's not easy!

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  18. I really liked it. And I don't even like musicals! LOL
    but yeah, I can see what you point out. I loved the sequence where they dance on the facade of the building!

    XOXO

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