Review: ‘tick, tick…BOOM!’ Immerses Viewers into the Life of Johnathan Larson with Emotions and Extravagance

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s directorial debut brings themes of romance and the existential dread of turning 30 to Netflix audiences in an emotional musical driven by a sensational performance from Andrew Garfield. The Academy Award nominee’s year’s worth of singing lessons pays off as he tells the story of Jonathan’s life through a mix of emotional scenes and extravagant musical numbers. 

“tick, tick…BOOM!” immerses viewers into the chaotic life of “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson as he navigates life in The Big Apple. As Jonathan works days at a local diner, and nights working on his original musical “Suburbia,” his determination to pursue his dreams begins to chip away at the relationships he holds closest. As the pressure builds around Jonathan he finds himself at a crossroads; he’s unsure whether to continue his star-studded dream or settle down into a mundane job in a secure lifestyle.

Garfield Leads an Impressive Ensemble that Tackles Dreams, Social Issues, and More

Garfield leads a talented cast that includes “X-Men: Apocalypse” star Alexandra Shipp, “The Boys in the Band’s” Robin de Jesus and “High School Musical” alumni Vanessa Hudgens. De Jesus takes on the role of Michael, Jonathan’s closest friend who gives up his dream of acting to take up a career in advertising. The Puerta Rican actor gives a brilliant performance, portraying the plethora of problems LGBTQ+ and POC faced in the ’90s. Hudgens gets to show off her vocals as she returns to the world of Jonathan Larson. The actress has appeared in two separate productions of one of Larson’s other musicals, “Rent.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda adds to his already successful year with the film. The acclaimed multi-hyphenate has also worked on recent films like “Encanto,” “Vivo,” and “In the Heights.” Miranda also makes a minor appearance in the film as the cook in the diner where Jonathan works. Much like the musical the film is based off, “tick, tick…BOOM!” explores the impact pursuing your dreams can have on your relationships, while also touching on the HIV/AIDs crisis, and the discrimination the LGBTQ+ community faces. Despite being a film whose main idea is the fact that we’re constantly running out of time, the film’s pacing doesn’t leave viewers feeling like it’s struggling to the finish line.

A Cap-Off to Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Impressive Year

“In the Heights” cinematographer Alice Brooks returns to the world of Lin-Manuel Miranda to provide “tick, tick…BOOM!” with contemporary visuals that flow with the extravagant musical numbers and intimate moments throughout the film. Two-time Emmy nominee Steven Levenson pens the script for “tick, tick…BOOM!,” and the film is certainly the writer’s more well-received film this awards season. The writer’s previous works include the controversial drama “Dear Evan Hansen.”

“tick, tick…BOOM!,” one of Netflix’s many contenders for the 2022 awards season, is part of a group that includes Rebecca Hall’s “Passing,” the Benedict Cumberbatch starrer “The Power of the Dog,” Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut “The Lost Daughter,” and Italy’s submission for the 94^th Academy Awards, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, “The Hand of God.”

‘tick, tick…BOOM!’ a Feel-Good Affair that Will Last Through the Ages

The film is one of the many musicals coming out in recent months coming up against the likes of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” and “In the Heights.” This is despite that society seems to have swiftly moved on from the latter due to accusations of colourism and lack of representation for Afro-Latinx individuals.

In the end, Lin-Manuel Miranda gives Netflix viewers an emotional, extravagant affair that plays like a feel-good film that will last throughout the ages. Garfield gives a spectacular performance as Jonathon Larson, backed by brilliant turns from Shipp, Hudgens, and de Jesus. “tick, tick…BOOM!” cements Garfield’s place in the 2022 awards season and could result in the actor receiving awards buzz for two of his performances this year (the other being his performance as televangelist Tim Bakker). The film’s an entertaining event that viewers of all ages will enjoy whether they’re familiar with Jonathan Larson or not. 

You can stream “tick, tick…BOOM!” on Netflix via subscription. 

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