REVIEW: tick, tick…BOOM! (2021)

Movie Reviews

Based on the stage play of the same name, tick, tick…BOOM! tells the story of Jonathan Larson’s quest to create a successful musical. The Netflix movie musical is directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and came out on November 19th. The source material started as an off-Broadway one-man show, with Larson performing the material himself in the early 90s. After he passed away in 1995 from an aortic aneurysm, that show was retooled into a three-performer play closer to what we see in the film. I haven’t seen or heard either iteration of the stage show, and I actually don’t like Rent, the mega-musical which posthumously put Larson on the map. This movie’s cast would have gotten my attention, but tick, tick…BOOM! is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s directorial debut, and that’s why I wanted to see it. Rent, like The Fiddler on the Roof, is cited by Miranda as an influence on In the Heights. Aside from Larson’s untimely passing, his life parallels Miranda’s in their prodigious songwriting and relentless pursuit of writing a great show. Both men also revolutionized what a Broadway show could be; Rent popularized pop-rock musicals, and Miranda has ushered the sounds of salsa and rap to the stage. tick, tick…BOOM! presents a look into the creative process and the life led by such a person. Let’s take a look.

Jonathan Larson (Andrew Garfield) is about to turn 30 and fears he has nothing to show for it. As his youth steals away, his girlfriend Susan (Alexandra Shipp) wants to move for a job teaching dance. Jon’s best friend and roommate, Michael (Robin de Jesus), accepts a job with an advertising firm and moves into an impressive apartment. Jonathan quits his job at the local diner in anticipation of the upcoming workshop for Superbia, the musical he’s been working on for eight years. What follows is an examination of relationships, career choices, and how we spend the time we’re given in life.

Andrew Garfield is a powerhouse as Jonathan Larson in tick, tick…BOOM! I had no idea Garfield could sing, but he’s pretty good. He has an excellent tone and displays real power behind his voice, which is rare in live-action musicals these days. His frenetic embodiment of the neurotic genius is both endearing and infuriating, relatable and frustrating. The makeup and hair stylists did a great job imbuing the conventionally handsome actor with a resemblance to the quirky playwright. Alexandra Shipp is excellent as Susan, struggling to support Jonathan while receiving little of the same from him. Her frustration is palpable when he delays talking about her job offer. She’s also a lovely singer, another surprise to me. A song late in the movie comes out and says this relationship was doomed, but I don’t think that had to be the case. Susan was very reasonable for the most part, giving Jonathan multiple opportunities to show interest in her career and make her a priority in his life. I may be biased in thinking this; I know what the movie is trying to say. I actually found myself getting emotional when it became clear where this subplot was going, and even more so when Susan appears in a fantasy sequence, singing to Jonathan. I can’t believe how well this romance is handled because things like this usually don’t impress me. Everything in tick, tick…BOOM! feels intimate and personal, making it hard not to get wrapped up in it. Jonathan’s choice to put his work above all else is understandable, but tick, tick…BOOM! toys with the idea that it wasn’t necessarily the right choice. The movie’s central message seems to be that, while passion for your work is important and can lead to great things, there are more important things in life.

This really comes into play with Michael, Jonathan’s best friend, who receives bad news, which undoubtedly inspired Rent’s story. Robin de Jesus is very good as well. His performance of “30/90” with Garfield in the film’s beginning is inspired. It brims with energy and drive to achieve something before it’s too late. “Too late” is constantly on Jonathan’s mind, but it means something very different to Michael. This facet of the film really hit me. I obsess over productivity and frequently think my time is being wasted or misdirected by others. I even choose not to do things I might enjoy because they would divert time and resources from getting things done. This isn’t exactly the same as what Jonathan is going through; he frequently sidelines his family and friends in favor of focusing solely on his masterpiece. But his story is a stark reminder that our time is limited, and it’s worth asking if we’re living it to the fullest.

tick, tick…BOOM! is also a treasure hunt for fans of Miranda’s work, Larson’s work, and Broadway in general. There are cameos from numerous legends of the stage and newer performers alike. The original Mimi, Roger, and Angel from Rent, Angelica and Eliza from Hamilton, and more feature in a scene littered with cameos and callbacks. Things like this are a delight for those in the know but don’t distract from the story if you’re not here for references. It’s also fun to see what inspired different facets of Rent, even if it’s not my favorite thing in the world.

By now, you’re probably wondering about the songs, unless you’re more familiar with the source material than I am. Some of them are truly spectacular. I’m going to be singing “30/90” in the shower for the foreseeable future, and “Come to Your Senses” had me in tears. This duet between Susan and Karessa (Vanessa Hudgens) is beautiful, both visually and in what it seeks to convey. As an aside, this isn’t Hudgens’ first role in a musical-in-a-musical movie. She, of course, starred in High School Musical 15 years ago, and it’s nice to see how far she’s come. “Johnny Can’t Decide” is also a total bop, and “Real Life” is simple but gut-wrenching nonetheless. Some of the songs aren’t quite as memorable, but I didn’t think any of them were bad. The cast is always on-point, which is a miracle in a big movie musical these days.

Overall, I really enjoyed tick, tick…BOOM! This film presents a truly unique experience and delves into difficult emotions and topics. I hope Lin-Manuel Miranda continues directing films; I would love to see Andrew Garfield (and any of these actors) in another musical. And you know what? I might give Rent another shot.