FilmSnobReviews

Title: tick, tick…BOOM!
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Lin Manuel Miranda
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesus
Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

What It Is: Jonathan Larson (Garfield) became famous for his Broadway smash Rent. Before that, though he was, like many, a simple songwriter and aspiring playwright. This film follows his attempt to put together his first musical. With his 30th birthday approaching it is possible he might never find a break. Now he navigates through life, love, and the pulse of New York just trying to get through and hopefully make something that means something to someone.

What We Think: I said this on twitter and it remains a truth. 2021 is Andrew Garfield’s year we’re just trying to get through it. Garfield is a powerhouse who uppercuts us with a knockout performance won’t soon be forgotten. From the very first note of “30/90” to the very last note of “Louder Than Words” he brings it from the song and dance perspective. It’s his acting within those melodic margins that takes this from a good performane to an unforgettable one. His Johnny is a man determined borderline obsessed with his work. Alexandra Shipp for her part is the blood pumping through Garfields heart and thus the film. Robin de Jesus DESERVES praise for his role. He’s an engine moving from space to space filling a gap we never realized was there. There’s so much to say about the shot selection from director Lin-Manual Miranda. He doesn’t linger and when he takes a risk on something it pays off. Perhaps it’s his years on Broadway mixed with his work on In the Heights that helped. John M. Chu is very much a visual director. I don’t know how the filming lined up but that could be the case. Either way from the set design and the songs down to the acting and directing this is a dynamic debut from Broadways 21st century golden boy.

Our Grade: A+, Andrew Garfield (who should already have a statue on his mantle) might very well want to make a reservation for a very nice suit. He’s going to need it come awards season. He already racked up a Globes nom and I can see him racking up quite a few more. Personally he got my vote for Best Actor in our guild. If you haven’t gotten off of your damn fanny and gone over to Netflix and watched this what in the good godly frick are you waiting for. There’s electricity in every frame. It may be 12/25 here but it’ll be 30/90 all day every day until that song decides to leave my head…which might be never. A technical marvel and marvelously technical it’s an almost perfect musical perfect for those who aren’t even fans of the genre. Jonathan Larson would be proud of what Lin-Manuel Miranda and his troupe have done. I’m going to leave y’all with a little musical therapy…you’re welcome!