Movie Review: Tick, Tick… Boom!

Tick, Tick… Boom!

Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens, Robin de Jesús, Bradley Whitford, Joshua Henry, Judith Light, Mj Rodriguez,

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 115 minutes

While everyone is talking about Andrew Garfield’s possible appearance on Spider-Man: No Way Home, we need to talk about his lead performance in his new movie Tick, Tick…Boom! Based on the true story of composer and playwright Jonathan Larson, Lin Manuel-Miranda’s directorial debut brings to life with energetic, heartwarming direction. Even though viewers have not watched or heard the songs before, Lin Manuel-Miranda harnesses them on the screen and brings them to life with vibrant charm. Emphasizing the importance of the creative journey, Tick, Tick…Boom! is a tribute to the talented composer Jonathan Larson and is a must-watch film for those interested in theater and Broadway.

The film begins with Jon (Andrew Garfield) onstage performing with two more singers (Vanessa Hudgens and Joshua Henry). He sings to the audience, “Stop the clock / Take time out,” in his song 30/90 comparing his life to a clock ticking that is about to explode at any moment. Then the story commences to the early 1990s, right before Jon turns 30. Without having any memorable legacy or anything “worthwhile,” Jon begins to worry about his future working as a waiter at the Moondance Diner while simultaneously trying to create a musical piece that he has been working for over the past eight years. Meanwhile, due to the pressures of his relationship with his girlfriend (Alexandra Shipp) and other friends including his roommate (Robin de Jesús), he has to navigate and balance his life as he is nearly broke and unable to pay ‘rent’ (pun intended).

The original Tick, Tick… Boom! was written by Larson as a musical about making a musical. He was well-known for experimenting with the rock-musical genre and his piano. Larson became famous for his musicals with Rent and Tick, Tick…Boom! Unfortunately, just before the debut of his musical Rent, he passed away with an aortic aneurysm right before the opening night of his musical, which ran for 12 years and won numerous awards, including several Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and multiple Drama Desk Awards.

More than anything, one of the reasons to watch Tick, Tick…Boom! is Andrew Garfield’s fantastic performance as Jonathan Larson. In an interview with New York Times, he said, “I was able to continue his (Larson’s) song on the ocean and the wave of Jonathan’s songs. It was an attempt to honor him with his unfinished song…” Indeed, Garfield masterfully brings the right amount of anxiety and intensity to his character while at the same time showing Larson’s energetic, genuine, and heartfelt side—projecting that jumble of passion and emotions in an eager way that quite accurately depicts Larson’s quirky personality and mannerisms. While many people might already know Garfield’s acting skills, his singing and acting combined deserves many awards and recognition. Songs like “30/90”, “Why,” and “This is the Life” really show Garfield’s versatility as an actor. Also, Andrew Garfield and Vanessa Hudgens’s performance of “Therapy” was absolutely hilarious and stunning and one of the most iconic scenes in the film.

In terms of directing and pacing, Lin Manuel-Miranda adds a tiny-extra layer of complexity in terms of the storytelling as this film is a musical within a musical, making the usage of flashbacks within flashbacks unique and engaging. Furthermore, Miranda adds just the right amount of realism to the story addressing real-life issues such as the aids epidemic and working for stability in a capitalist world—not shying away from the mundane parts of life and adding a sense of urgency to Larson’s obsessive fixation of time. The movie’s themes of one’s purpose, passion, and the harsh realities of pursuing one’s dream is a timeless, universal theme, especially for people in their mid to late twenties who are all anxious to find the balance between finding stability and discovering one’s passions. Specifically, Miranda seems to encourage people pursuing in the arts with a warm embrace and gives us the boost to continue and live our lives.

Overall, Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Tick, Tick…Boom! is a genuine and warm tribute to Jonathan Larson and other creatives to pursue their dreams and passion despite the self-doubt and fear of failure. Combined with Garfield’s magnetic performance, the inspiring and riveting lyrics touches our heart so go watch this film either in selected theaters or at your home on Netflix!