Tick, Tick... BOOM!

UK Release Date. 19 November 2021
Certification. 12A

Running Time. 1 hour 55 mins

Director. Lin-Manuel Miranda

Cast. Robin de Jesus, Andrew Garfield, Joshua Henry, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, Bradley Whitford.

Rating. 58%

Review.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's affection for musical theatre courses through Tick, Tick... BOOM! The director, best known for creating the Broadway musicals 'Hamilton' and 'In the Heights', placed as many celebrity cameos in the film as possible, including seven actors who had starred in 'Rent' alone. In a flashback scene to an earlier preview of the musical 'Superbia' every single member of the audience, the so-called aspiring composers are actually established Broadway composers and lyricists. Legendary Broadway composer, Stephen Sondheim actually recorded the voicemail message, "It's first-rate work and has a future, and so do you. Meanwhile, be proud." There's more, much more.

The trouble is, if musical theatre isn't your bag, then these references are wasted on you. And worse, the songs from Tick, Tick... BOOM! often fall into the trap of same old, same old piano-driven rock songs that, by and large, do little to advance the storyline. In fact, at times these earnest outpourings are an unwelcome interruption.

Because hidden amidst the show tunes is an interesting story and the increasingly watchable Andrew Garfield delivers a solid performance of the self-absorbed composer, Jonathan Larson. Those close to him, Susan (Alexandra Shipp) and Michael (Robin de Jesus), are engaging foils and often take the brunt of his preoccupation with the creative process. Their performances ensure Andrew Garfield's Larson is still redeemable.

There are a couple of interesting set pieces - a swim session that reveals the composition of the troubled song for the second act is innovative and visually striking, and the director elegantly handles the premiere performance of 'Come To Your Senses' by Karessa (Vanessa Hudgens) and Susan (Alexandra Shipp).

The film concludes on an uplifting emotional climax with the ensemble cast performing 'Louder Than Words' accompanied with biographical notes and photographs from the real Jonathan Larson's life. A sensible ploy intended to reinforce the connection between Jonathan Larson and the audience.