This film adaptation of the autobiographical play by the same name by Jonathan Larson was amazing. It excelled in conveying many complex thoughts, emotions, and perspectives. The film takes place in 1990 in New York City. The adaptation explores the main character, Jon’s, personal battles with financial instability, the need to follow his dreams, and his interpersonal relationships on the eve of his 30th birthday; all while preparing for his workshop’s debut, Superbia.
The movie, directed by the notorious Lin Manuel-Miranda, was released on Netflix in 2021. Consequently, many feel the timing of the release stunted what should have been a highly-grossing film.
“It came out during COVID-19, as a Netflix film, [so] Tick Tick…BOOM! kind of got lost within the preexisting shows [that were highly popular at that time],” said junior Emily Beatty.
Throughout the movie, the audience is told the story of how the film’s main character, Jon, is only a week away from the Friday morning debut of his workshop he has been working on for five years. The days leading up to his debut are strenuous, while also serving as inspiration for his workshop. From busing tables at a small diner in New York City, to arguments between him and his girlfriend, to the complex nature of fantasy and reality, this film has it all.
My favorite song featured in the movie was “Therapy,” sung by Andrew Garfield and Vanessa Hudgens. The scene takes place when Jon is arguing with his girlfriend, Susan, about whether or not he would move with her to The Berkshires, Massachusetts, for her new job. Susan had been asking Jon for an answer throughout most of the movie; however, Jon continued to delay his reply, as he knew he couldn’t leave New York. Garfield’s and Hudgens’s performance was a caricature of Jon and Susan’s argument, with the lyrics accurately conveying feelings of confusion and frustration in contrast to the upbeat, fast-paced melody of the song itself.
“I think ‘Why’ is my favorite song because it’s where Jonathan realizes he has been really selfish and that the people he’s been shutting out are essential for him to become successful and a better man,” said Beatty.
What fuels this film and what makes it so spontaneous and relatable is its realism. The main character, Jonathan, frustrates many viewers because he is so stubborn and lost in his own world, shutting everyone out, when those very same people were the driving force for his creative works. I frankly became annoyed by Jon; he had so many supporters, charming, understanding, and charismatic people that one should be so lucky to surround himself with. Yet, he neglected them, hyperfixating on a piece that failed to be produced.
One relationship in particular affected by Jon’s self-absorption was his relationship with his childhood best friend, Michael. The film highlights Michael’s artistic dreams of being an actor; however, he later settled with a career in advertising. Jon viewed this as Michael being a “sell out” and looked down upon him for his choices. This leads to a big fight between the two, resulting in Michael revealing why he wanted to live a lavish lifestyle, even if it meant being seen as a “sell out” by his own best friend. He encouraged Jon to do some (in my opinion) much needed self reflection.
The film concluded on the night of Jon’s 30th birthday. He spends it with his closest friend, Michael, and his charismatic coworkers at the diner he previously worked for at the beginning of the movie, Moondance. The final scene transitions between Jon’s friends bringing out his birthday cake and singing to him in the present, and the flicker of an old home video of him as a child seated before a cake while his family and friends off-camera sing him happy birthday. However, the final note of the song is never finished, and the candles are never blown out. This symbolizes how the real Larson’s memory and creative works will continue to live on, and they certainly have.
So, what really happened?
Larson’s unproduced fabrication, Superbia granted him the recognition he needed to continue his musical career in New York. His most famous work is Rent, which sold out every single performance on Off-Broadway, and many more on Broadway itself. In an incredibly unfortunate chain of events, Larson did not get to see such success, as he passed away during the musical’s opening night, due to a sudden aortic brain aneurysm.
The film, “Tick, Tick…BOOM,” memorializes and continues Larson’s story, sharing it with not just musical enthusiasts but millions and millions of people worldwide.
