The latest broadway adaption turned movie is spicing up the theaters and showing audiences the real Washington Heights. Written by rising actor, Lin Manuel Miranda as a off broadway play while in his sophomore year at Weslayan University of Connecticut, In the Heights tells the story of a young undocumented man (Usnavi) from the Dominican Republican who now lives and survives in Washington Heights. Like many young latinos living on that block, Usnavi has a dream, to fulfill his late father’s dream in his homeland. All the while, he doesn’t realize his true home is right in front of his eyes.
Set the a range of musical genres including hip hop, R & B and pop, In The Heights creatively uses the music of the street to eloquently tell the stories of the people in just under 3 hours. It’s done so well that one doesn’t even realize how long the film really is as it captivates audiences with toe tapping hits that will have you singing “In The Heights” long after the credits roll.
The casting is a dynamic range of relative unknowns including Anthony Ramos as Usnavi who is no stranger to Lin Manuel Miranda’s Work as he most recently starred in Miranda’s other Hit Hamilton that debuted last year exclusively on Disney Plus. All in All, Ramos did an exceptional job as both the narrator on an island setting in the present as well as the way the story segways into the past in Washington Heights.
Additionally, Miranda is quite clever in the revelation in the end as to where the island actually is located and without giving to much away, all I can say is its a true definition of how much family overtakes anyone’s dreams.
That being said, In The Heights is certainly an excellent movie for people of all ages as it shows romance, racial discrimination as well as social standing and though it is rated PG 13, I do believe with adult supervision even some children would throughly enjoy this movie. The film came out in theaters as well as streaming via HBO Max and is a must see movie of the summer. It is already getting rave reviews and is an early contender for next year’s Oscar Award season.