I’ve been excited about the In the Heights movie since the production was announced…three years ago? I love musicals and I love Lin-Manuel Miranda, so I considered this a gift to me personally. When Jon M. Chu was announced as the director, I got even more giddy. The big, bold, over-the-top flair of Crazy Rich Asians seemed like a perfect fit for this joyful celebration of a musical. So my expectations were pretty high. And this beautiful film met every one of them. Watching this in the back of a theater with my sisters was one of the highlights of my year.
The music that greets us at every corner is catchy and moving and so clearly Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work. I’ve listened to the soundtrack more days than not since I saw the movie. Add in huge, glorious dance numbers and I’m all in. The scale of some of the musical numbers is outrageous, with dozens of dancers in pools and streets. Everything is colorful and moving and so overflowing with vibrant life, and I love it so much.
‘96,000’ is one of my favorite numbers–I can already tell it’ll be near the top of my most-played list in my Spotify year in review, since it’s almost impossible for me to listen to it just once. The overlapping parts that all come together are incredible, and the number in the film is one of the biggest and most joyful. Jon Chu’s direction shines here, as he manages to showcase all the different performers, throw in some lighthearted illustration, and never leave us behind. The number for ‘When the Sun Goes Down’ is equally fantastic, blending magic and reality as the singers dance on the side of a building. This blend of grounded love for a very specific place and over-the-top imagination seems unlikely to mesh, but it works stunningly to illustrate the big dreams of the characters we’re walking with.
Behind the song and dance is a compelling story, which weaves together the lives of different members of this community and gives us a glimpse into their corners of Washington Heights. Since he narrates the story, we see the most of Usnavi’s perspective as he tries to make a living, honor his heritage, and get back to his parents’ homeland. But we also see Nina’s struggles with the burden of her community’s high expectations, Vanessa’s dreams of success as a fashion designer, Benny’s fierce work ethic, Abuela’s love to the kids on her corner, Sonny’s challenges in navigating life as an undocumented immigrant, and so many more. These characters’ lives and experiences come together to form a mosaic, each piece helping us understand the community a little more.
It’s clear that Lin wrote this out of a deep love for a community that shaped him–his affection for the characters and the physical place is evident in every moment. His love elevates things we might overlook: the corner bodega, the open fire hydrants, the fireworks, the family dinners that include everyone who walks through the door. He takes the time to honor the generations who have gone before and made their children’s dreams possible in the first place. And he reminds us to look around and appreciate the beauty and the value of our community.
It’s easy for me to romanticize city life, to imagine that it’s always like the Washington Heights depicted in the film. That everyone is part of a tight-knit community, sharing meals and dreams and daily life. That everyone dances when it’s hot or sets off fireworks when the power goes out. That spontaneous musical numbers break out in the street or the pool every day (Okay, I’m aware that doesn’t actually happen but I wish it did). But even as I know that my imagination paints an overly rosy picture of city life, I think this film captures something real and beautiful. The power of life in a community, of sharing both joy and sorrow with others. The value and the joy of building roots, of investing in a place and committing to the people there. And the way the anchor of a community like this can give you the strength you need to move out into the world if and when you must leave. My experience of this kind of community is through church, not a neighborhood, but I see a lot of parallels and I love the way this film reminds me to appreciate the people around me and to pour into them. To rejoice at being able to walk through life with others by my side. And maybe to dance in the streets just a little more.