I’ve all the time recognized that Lease is a contemporary traditional on this planet of musicals. It’s Jonathan Larson’s masterpiece, and it’s a masterful rock opera. Nevertheless, for a very long time, it didn’t click on with me, personally. Now, as new movies premiere on the 2025 film schedule, Lease is celebrating its twentieth anniversary, so I made a decision to offer it one other watch.
I’m thrilled to report that this time round, my opinion about this film has modified, and I liked it a lot extra this time.
The First Time I Watched Lease, I Had A Laborious Time Following It And Wasn’t Into The Music
Lease is sort of a musical epic, it’s a rock opera, it’s all music mainly on a regular basis. That may be arduous to observe, and that was the case for me the primary time I watched this story play out.
This musical follows a gaggle of pals in New York Metropolis as they deal with all the nice and the dangerous that will get thrown at them. It takes place in the course of the AIDS epidemic, and focuses on how that impacted this crew as additionally they handled monetary points and the trials and tribulations of affection.
Whereas an total relatable and delightful story, it was arduous for me to observe each character’s arc, particularly since many of the necessary particulars are communicated by way of music. Since I didn’t discover myself in love with the music the primary time round, that made watching this all play out tough.
Nevertheless, as we’ll speak about subsequent, coming into Lease this time, I had a a lot better understanding of Jonathan Larson’s life and work, the facility of this story centered round many LGBTQ+ characters, and a love for the music that enhanced the viewing expertise tenfold.
Nevertheless, Now That I’m Extra Acquainted With Jonathan Larson’s Work And Legacy, I Was All In
With regards to what actually modified between the primary time I watched Lease and this time was my data about Jonathan Larson, the person behind the musical. The primary time I watched the 2005 film, Tick, Tick…Increase’s movie adaptation didn’t exist and wasn’t obtainable to stream with a Netflix subscription like it’s now. Now, the film made by Lin-Manuel Miranda has been out for years, and I’ve been obsessive about it and its music because it premiered, which gave me a newfound appreciation for Lease.
For many who don’t know, Tick, Tick…Increase is the autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson that got here earlier than Lease. The film adaptation, which is considered one of Andrew Garfield’s greatest, absolutely opens the door into the author’s life and tells the story of his quest to put in writing a superb musical whereas making mainly no cash and residing in New York Metropolis.
So, this musical gave me a deep perception into Larson’s work and life, and it highlighted how he received to Lease. That, and realizing that he died the day Lease opened on Broadway, added a stage of important that means and energy to this 2005 movie.
Together with that, the music of Tick, Tick…Increase clicked with me. The rock tunes used to indicate Jonathan’s journey completely captured all the pieces he was going by way of, and the soundtrack, which scored the greatest musical of 2021, was considered one of my top-played albums of the yr.
So, going into Lease, I had a greater data of and affinity for Larson’s music. Tick, Tick…Increase doesn’t have as a lot music as Lease, so watching that was nearly like coaching wheels, getting ready me to re-watch the 2005 rock opera with a brand new appreciation.
So, I used to be primed and prepared with a wholly new understanding and love for the mastermind behind Lease as I rewatched the movie adaptation.
I Was Deeply Moved By The LGBTQ+ Tales Larson Instructed By means of This Numerous Good friend Group
Jonathan Larson is a recognized and beloved LGBTQ+ ally, and the story of Lease proves that as he informed a narrative a couple of group of various pals and the trials and tribulations they confronted.
The story’s major battle centered across the intersection of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and monetary struggles that many individuals face, particularly those that try to make it in New York Metropolis.
I used to be notably moved by the story of Tom and Angel. Within the movie, Tom falls for Angel, a drag queen, they usually each have AIDS. Their love story is fantastic, and songs like “I’ll Cowl You” made me so completely happy, as a result of they so unapologetically and loudly liked one another.
Then, when Angel died, it broke me. And the truth that Tom’s last music about her was mashed with Lease’s greatest quantity, “Seasons of Love,” was so deeply poignant and shifting.
And that’s only one instance of a narrative that left me feeling all the emotions.
Together with that, the truth that this story was informed in such a mainstream method within the ‘90s on Broadway and the early 2000s on movie added to its impression. Even at this time, LGBTQ+ illustration in movie may very well be considerably higher; although, we’ve made important constructive steps ahead within the final 20 years. Nevertheless, Lease served as a beacon of sunshine and illustration because it informed a number of shifting tales about individuals who establish as LGBTQ+ that had been each deeply tragic in addition to lovely and celebratory.
And Can We Take A Minute To Admire This Solid?
Lastly, we have to speak about this forged. As I wrote about at size, for the reason that first time I watched Lease, I’ve discovered a brand new appreciation for Larson. Nevertheless, I’ve additionally developed a a lot deeper love for this forged, particularly the parents who additionally performed these characters on Broadway.
Clearly, I’ve all the time had a love for Idina Menzel’s work, and seeing her within the function of Maureen, which got here towards the beginning of her profession, was fantastic. Plus, I’m fairly positive “Take Me or Depart Me” is likely one of the biggest showtunes, and listening to her belt it with Tracie Thoms – who didn’t play Joanne within the first Broadway manufacturing, however did painting her on stage – blew me away.
Jesse L. Martin’s efficiency as Tom additionally actually stood out to me this time. He originated his function on Broadway, and so did Wilson Jermaine Heredia, who performs Angel. That historical past combined with their chemistry made me love Tom and Angel’s story much more.
Nevertheless, arms down, the place the place this Broadway historical past made the largest distinction for me was in Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal’s performances as Mark and Roger, respectively. The primary time I watched Lease, I knew these guys had been within the Broadway manufacturing; nevertheless, I didn’t know they had been nonetheless so shut at this time. Watching them on display screen this time, I felt that true friendship they share, and that combined with their excellent harmonies, made for a duo I liked seeing on display screen.
I’m at a spot in my life and my understanding of Lease and its origins that I deeply want I might have seen it throughout its lengthy Broadway run. Nevertheless, sadly, I can’t. Fortunately, now we have this film, and every time I see it, I discover extra to like about it. This time, I had a newfound appreciation and data about it and Jonathan Larson’s historical past that deeply moved me, and that combined with a related and necessary story performed out by a stellar forged made for a viewing expertise that I didn’t get the primary time round.