Movie musicals can usually go one of two ways, and more often than not can be uncomfortably cringey to watch. Tick, Tick…Boom! masterfully breaks this mold, and manages to be both a tribute to a man lost far too soon, and a love letter to an entire community.
Anyone who has ever spent time in the theatre community or adjacent to the same will have much to relate to in this movie. The urgency of the friendships and relationships that are formed are like no other. For better or worse, theatre encourages the surfacing of the deepest emotions. Tick, Tick…Boom! so expertly captured this phenomenon and distilled it into incredible performances, a stellar soundtrack, and an all together powerful story that came together in the most unexpected yet poignant way.
Andrew Garfield was at the absolute top of his game as Jonathan Larson. This role was a revelation for him, and perfectly showcased what an incredibly talented actor he is. These kinds of roles are well Garfield shines most, and be brings such an authenticity to these characters who have rich stories of their own to tell. The heart he brought to every single scene was so evident, and Garfield never held back for a moment.
Alexandra Schipp was also a revelation in her role as Susan Wilson, based on a woman Larson dated at the time of the staging of his ill-fated futuristic, 1984-reimagining rock musical ‘Superbia’. Little is available about Larson’s former girlfriend, but Schipp has an undeniable power that is evident throughout the entire movie. She brings such perspective to the experience of loving an artist devoted to their work, an experience shared by many. She brings a humanity to the experience of wanting to support someone she loves, while also having her own hopes and dreams.
Vanessa Hudgens was another stellar performance in a movie filled with actors at their very best. Having begun her rise to stardom with her breakout role in the High School Musical franchise, it seemed like such a natural fit to see her in a movie about the theatre. In particular, her performance of ‘Come to Your Senses’ was especially breathtaking. When combined with the vocals of co-star Alexandra Shipp, it was a show-stopping performance that was arguably the best of the musical numbers.
The soundtrack of this movie was an achievement of its own. Director Lin-Manuel Miranda said that he wanted to play with the description of “score by Johnathan Larson” and sourced much of the soundtrack from Larson’s work through his career. Fans of Miranda’s well-known rap melodies won’t find them in this movie. The music superbly underscores the character moments through the movie, in the tradition of only the best Broadway musicals. The combination of original work, and taking inspiration from unreleased titles worked perfectly for the story this movie was trying to tell.
The movie also addressed the AIDS crisis in such a heartbreaking way that was so important to see. Now that so much time has passed, particularly for people outside of the LGBTQ+ community, there is a lack of memory of just how devastating this disease was. Particularly in the character of Michael (Robin de Jesús), viewers saw the human side of this crisis that at its peak killed so many and the caused irreparable destruction of so many lives. The anxiety around the AIDS crisis is palpable in the film, which took place at a time when so much was still unknown.
It was particularly poignant seeing Bradley Whitford as the great Stephen Sondheim, the great legend of Broadway who passed away in November of this year. Whitford so expertly portrayed what made this man great, and how he recognized the greatness in others. His humour and genuine love of the theatre were captured brilliantly, and if anyone ever decides to make a Sondheim biopic, they should strongly consider calling Bradley Whitford and offering him the job.
It was particularly poignant seeing Bradley Whitford as the great Stephen Sondheim, the great legend of Broadway who passed away in November of this year. Whitford so expertly portrayed what made this man great, and how he recognized the greatness in others. His humour and genuine love of the theatre were captured brilliantly, and if anyone ever decides to make a Sondheim biopic, they should strongly consider calling Bradley Whitford and offering him the job.
Tick, Tick…Boom! was a work of art, and a worthy tribute to a man who died long before his time. Never taking itself too seriously, it was a celebration of life and art and what makes us human. It was thought provoking and an all-together emotional journey from beginning to end.
Tick, tick…Boom! is available to stream now on Netflix.