In the Heights
- Director: Jon M. Chu
- Writer: Quiara Alegría Hudes; Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Producer: Anthony Bregman; Quiara Alegría Hudes; Mara Jacobs; Lin-Manuel Miranda; Scott Sanders
CGiii Comment
It's simple...what do you want from a musical? Happy, smiling faces, show tunes, dance numbers, nothing too heavy...and, a happy ending? Well, if that's what you want...In the Heights delivers.
So...forget all the snowflake-ish politics about diversity and representation. If you want realism...seriously, go somewhere else - a musical is as far away from reality as is political correctness! Ouch...that was controversial!!!
There really is nothing controversial about this summer-time romp. Sure, it hits on a few major issues - namely...racism and the inhumanity of being undocumented - but, nothing can wipe the smiles off of these shining faces for too long.
Anthony Ramos [as Usnavi] steals the show...with his brimming charm and charisma...my gawd, that boy sure can light up a screen [remember him in the Will and Grace reboot?]. There is one dance number that will leave you rather breathless and another that will make your jaw hit the floor...beautiful.
The songs, however, may not have the same instant appeal and karaoke-worthiness as The Greatest Showman - but, all sung and done, this is a film that will warm the cockles of your heart.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
The creator of Hamilton and the director of Crazy Rich Asians invite you to a cinematic event, where the streets are made of music and little dreams become big… In the Heights.
Lights up on Washington Heights… The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines, and sings about a better life. In the Heights fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M. Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience.
Cast & Characters
Anthony Ramos as Usnavi
Melissa Barrera as Vanessa
Leslie Grace as Nina Rosario
Corey Hawkins as Benny
Olga Merediz as Abuela Claudia
Jimmy Smits as Kevin Rosario
Gregory Diaz IV as Sonny
Daphne Rubin-Vega as Daniela
Stephanie Beatriz as Carla
Dascha Polanco as Cuca
Noah Catala as Graffiti Pete
Lin-Manuel Miranda as Piragüero
Mateo Gómez as Alejandro (as Mateo Gomez)
Marc Anthony as Gapo
Patrick Page as Pike Phillips
Olivia Perez as Iris
Analia Gomez as Rosa
Dean Scott Vazquez as Sedo (as Dean Vazquez)
Mason Vazquez as Miggy
Delila Ramos as Cranky Vieja
James Leyva as Valentina (as Valentina)
Chris Jackson as Mr. Softee Truck Driver (as Christopher Jackson)
Susan Pourfar as Hannah Hathaway