Director: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barerra
Have I Seen it Before: Never. Barely caught it before it left HBO Max as well.
Did I Like It: It is unfair—and fundamentally unavoidable—to compare this to Hamilton (2020), Lin-Manuel Miranda’s other magnum opus*.
So let’s get started with that comparison immediately.
The rhythms that are so integral to Miranda’s voice are just as present here, but given the setting appear less mannered than when the occur among the founding fathers. That the whole affair is somehow more natural—even in a scene where two of the characters start ignoring the laws of physics is certainly fascinating.
That natural quality stems from the feeling behind every word. Hamilton—by its very nature—is an act of imagination. It is pure speculation to inhabit the birth of the country with soul and feeling, especially for writers and performers who were largely subjugated by the subjects**. Here, it is not just a display of feelings; it is real feeling. More people will remember Hamilton, I imagine, but I can’t help but wonder if this story is nearer and dearer to Miranda’s heart.
I don’t want to think it is the novelty alone that raises In the Heights above its more famous younger sibling. The songs aren’t as catchy here. I enjoyed myself, to be sure, but it wasn’t like I was walking around the house humming various refrains and belting out any number of choruses. Maybe we are witnessing an evolution of the next great American artist here. Maybe the next, great, big thing from Lin-Manuel Miranda will render Hamilton as just a strange proto-step to his true genius.
*Which, if you’re reading this review, you’ve probably heard of.
**I really shouldn’t be allowed to do stuff like that to the English language, but here we are.