To be honest, not much on the summer movie roster stirs interest in me. Scrolling down IMDb, the usual pops out as standard fare. In regards to quality, 2021’s theme is almost like that of the late 90s. “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” “Jungle Cruise,” “Snake Eyes,” “The Suicide Squad”; all of these are big and dumb. Even in last year’s dearth of Marvel, “Black Widow” has even waned. Given the way “Loki” is going, the MCU is a bit lackluster. One film though has been on my horizon since the beginning: “In the Heights.”
Based on the Tony Award-winning musical, we open up in media res as store owner Usnavi tells a group of children about a magical place called Washington Heights. Taking place over the course of a summer, the borough’s residents make their dreams come true. Navi (named after a U.S. Navy ship his father encountered upon arrival, not kidding) wants to go back to Puerto Rico. His dream is to fix up his father’s old bar and restaurant. Now he runs the bodega in New York with his younger cousin. Named Sonny, his brash energy towards social justice belies a secret. Dating this squarely in the early 2000s, Miranda plays on the term “dreamer.”
Navi, not so secretly, is in love with Vanessa. Her wish of becoming a fashion designer is thwarted left and right. But she continues working in a salon run by Daniella (played by Daphne Rubin-Vega). Daniella likes to gossip with, and about, her clientele which makes for a humorous scene early in the film.
Gentrification is a common theme. With Daniella about to move her business to the Bronx, a dry cleaner charging exorbitant prices moves in next to Kevin’s (Jimmy Smits) cab and limo service. His daughter Nina has come home from her first year at Stanford; she doesn’t want to go back. This becomes a conflict among many; music and dance weave them into a beautiful tapestry.
Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame creates universal stories of family and hope here. A mix of show tunes, Latin, and hip-hop rend even heavier moments lighter than air. Some of his alums make appearances including himself as a shaved ice stand owner competing with a Mister Softee ice cream truck operator. He is played by Christopher Jackson, who played George Washington. Anthony Ramos is a true delight as Navi; his smile lighting up any bad mood. His range as John Laurens/Phillip from “Hamilton” doesn’t begin to show us what he is capable of as he does here.
Props must go to director Jon M. Chu for his infectious endeavor. When it was announced that he would helm, it was easy to see that after witnessing “Crazy Rich Asians.” The choreography employed with each dance sequences there plus the use of wide camera shots and dolly work, he was a perfect fit here and it shows. The best scenes involve large groups of dancers, mixed with skillful editing and cinematography whether it is in a public pool or an alleyway block party.
Some news has come out about the lack of Afro-Latinos present in the main cast. As due criticism is sometimes warranted, here I don’t see why this is. When researching the stage production from 2008, it would seem Miranda wrote about his own experiences in Washington Heights and the people he knew. This absence neither takes away from the story nor would it add anything to it. The musical is what it is. This is not a reason for not enjoying it. I plan to check it out again in theaters as soon as my schedule allows. My initial watch was on HBO Max, which will be streaming until July 10. Happy viewing readers!
