In the Heights Puts a Spotlight on an Often Silenced yet Vibrant Community
By: Aidan Taylor, Chronic.com Staff Writer
Dascha Polanco, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Stephanie Beatriz in “In the Heights”
From the very first musical number, which intertwines different shots and sounds of the city, you know this movie is gonna be a trip. Not just any trip, a trip full of bright colors, upbeat music, hilarious lines, an occasional tear, and a lot of hope. But I don’t want to spoil too much...
All in all, it’s the story of love, loss, community and the ever-changing Heights.
In the Heights was a musical that premiered in a Connecticut theater back in ‘05 with music and lyrics by none other than the all-powerful Lin Manuel Miranda. Based on a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, it finally made its way to the Broadway stage in 2008 winning four Tonys and one Grammy. This show tells the story of life in the majority Latinx Manhattan neighborhood of Washington heights.
Miranda has said he started writing this show because he didn’t feel seen. Now, as a feature film, young Latinx children everywhere will be able to turn to their screens and maybe see a face that looks like theirs or a neighborhood that reminds them of their own.
The story follows the main character Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos) and his family and friends in the area as they face the struggles of a hot summer, a blackout, the changes occurring in their beloved neighborhood, and what to do with $96,000. Relationships are tested and tears are shed, but the music, colors, dialogue, acting, and storyline make this movie unforgettable.
Speaking of acting, let’s do some shoutouts real quick. Anthony Ramos who many know from Hamilton and A Star is Born did an amazing job bringing to life the character of Usnavi with his own unique twist, Leslie Grace, the Latin Pop singer, portrayed a wonderful Nina Rosario, and Olga Merediz, who originated the role on Broadway, gave a very moving performance of Abuela Claudia. However, the real scene-stealers were the three salon ladies Daniela, Cuca, and Carla played by Broadway legend Daphne Rubin-Vega, the hilarious Dascha Polanco from Orange is the New Black and Brooklyn 99’s Stephanie Beatriz who, with this role, demonstrated her wide range as an actress.
But really, everyone played their roles beautifully. The cast was full of many amazing voices and talented dancers. And with the majority of the cast being Latinx-how often do you see that in a major Hollywood movie?- they were able to put a personal touch on the many stories from that neighborhood and make this film groundbreaking for Latinx people across the country.
However, that being said, the film has received pushback for its lack of darker-skinned lead actors by filling the Afro-Latino-dominated Heights with mostly lighter-skinned faces. Many people feel that this is once again Hollywood trying to whitewash communities of color. Miranda released a statement saying, “In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we fell short”. Nonetheless, there are still many actors and everyday citizens alike who believe this film is still a giant step forward for the Latinx community and should be one of many for the future. Actor Wilson Cruz, while agreeing with the calls for more representation, tweeted “One of the issues with having so little Latinx representation in media is that we’re disappointed when it fails to reflect EVERY aspect & nuance of our VARIED & COMPLEX culture… a call for MORE representation created by and for MORE of US is ONE of the answers to the problem”.
As the rest of the movie progresses, they cover topics like gentrification, immigration, and the realities of being a Latinx person in America from the perspective of the oppressed rather than the oppressor. Many of the local stores are leaving or closing down and more expensive ones are coming in. Characters are shown having to deal with the consequences of being undocumented in this country, and one of them also covers the experiences of being a minority at a private and prestigious university and feeling like they don’t fit in.
Every topic is covered in a sensitive way while also weaving in with the pure joy, happiness and celebration of some of the musical numbers, outfits and dance breaks in the rest of the film. The culture really came out, and it did not come to play.
Ever since the release, I have had the soundtrack on repeat and dance around my apartment singing “Piragua” and “Carnival Del Barrio”. This is the perfect film to begin the summer with. A 2021 must-see.
In theaters and on HBO Max till July 11.
