Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos) holds up flag; his shop assistant cousin, Sonny de la Vega (Gregory Diaz IV) is standing behind him.
Trailer:
IN THE HEIGHTS Trailer (2021) – Bing video
Film Review by Marlene Ardoin
“In the Heights” is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical play about his growing up in New York as an immigrant. (Miranda is of Puerto Rican descent, along with Mexican from a grandparent. During childhood and his teens, he spent at least one month each year with his grandparents in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico.)
A frequent comment that immigrants hear is “why don’t you go back where you came from”, which the main character, Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos), struggles with the idea of returning to the Dominican Republic.
From an immigrant’s viewpoint, we get to examine the pros and cons of doing just that, going back to their country of origin.
“In the Heights” concludes that they get to choose. Is being surrounded by poverty, racism, struggle and hate worth the effort of staying?
Leslie Grace, as Nina Rosario, stands out as a daughter of a taxi company owner, who has the grades to make it into Stanford University.
Nina’s father, played by Jimmy Smits, as Kevin Rosario, does some creative financial moves to get her into Stanford. But, once there, she is confronted with racial bias from her roommate and other persons at the college.
From Nina’s character, we learn that being smart, having grades and a supportive family is only half the struggle. Nina was insulated and protected as a youth, because she lived in a section of New York that was a community of other immigrants.
“Abuela” Claudia (Olga Merediz) also stands out as the neighborhood elder, who originated from Cuba, never married or had children, but who adopts the young people in her neighborhood to be her family.
(Spoiler alert) Abuela turns out to be the lottery ticket winner, whose legacy pays the DACA fees for some young undocumented immigrants.
Abuela means grandmother.
Director Jon M. Chu is not a newbie to musical dance films, because he either directed or produced all of the Step Up films, and most famously, the “Crazy Rich Asians” film.
Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos) dances with Vanessa Morales (Melissa Barrera).
Cast
- Anthony Ramos as Usnavi de la Vega
- Melissa Barrera as Vanessa Morales
- Leslie Grace as Nina Rosario
- Ariana Greenblatt as young Nina
- Ariana S. Gómez as 12-year-old Nina
- Corey Hawkins as Benny
- Olga Merediz as “Abuela” Claudia
- Jimmy Smits as Kevin Rosario
- Gregory Diaz IV as Sonny de la Vega
- Daphne Rubin-Vega as Daniela
- Stephanie Beatriz as Carla
- Dascha Polanco as Cuca
- Noah Catala as Graffiti Pete
- Lin-Manuel Miranda as the piragüero, the piragua guy
- Mateo Gomez as Alejandro, Usnavi’s accountant
- Marc Anthonyas Gapo de la Vega, Sonny’s father
- Olivia Perez as Iris de la Vega, Usnavi’s and Vanessa’s daughter
- Christopher Jacksonas the Mr. Softee Truck Driver
The film includes cameos by original Broadway cast members Seth Stewart and Javier Muñoz, as well as background vocals by Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Mandy Gonzalez, Joshua Henry, Krysta Rodriguez, and Jon Rua.[4][5] Broadway actor Patrick Page appears as Pike Phillips.[6] Miranda’s parents Luis and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda make cameo appearances during “Breathe”.[7] The Kid Mero provides the voice of the DJ at the start of the film.[8] Valentina appears as a patron of Daniela’s salon.[8] NPR journalist Maria Hinojosa appears as the protest leader at the DACA rally.[8]. The film also features an appearance from Rennie Harris.[9]
Leslie Grace as Nina Rosario and Corey Hawkins as Benny watch the sun go down in New York.
| Directed by | Jon M. Chu |
| Screenplay by | Quiara Alegría Hudes |
| Based on | In the Heights by· Quiara Alegría Hudes &· Lin-Manuel Miranda |
| Produced by | · Lin-Manuel Miranda
· Anthony Bregman · Mara Jacobs |
| Starring | · Anthony Ramos |
| Cinematography | Alice Brooks |
| Edited by | Myron Kerstein |
| Music by | · Lin-Manuel Miranda |
| Production companies |
· 5000 Broadway Productions
· Barrio Grrrl! Productions · SGS Pictures |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release date | · June 4, 2021 (LALIFF)
· June 10, 2021 (United States) |
| Running time | 143 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $55 million[1] |
| Box office | $39 million[2][3] |
Leslie Grace as Nina Rosario
Olga Merediz as the neighborhood elder, “Abuela” Claudia.
Jimmy Smits as Kevin Rosario, dances with daughter, Nina.
In the Heights Wiki:
In the Heights (film) – Wikipedia
Lin-Manuel Miranda Wiki:
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Wikipedia
Jon M Chu Wiki:
‘In the Heights’ Interviews with Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera & More!:
7/25/2021 # In the Heights