Tick, Tick… Boom is a Netflix movie directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda based on the broadway musical of the same name. With a score by Jonathan Larson, the musical tells the story of his life.
For those who don’t know Jonathan Larson is the man behind the smash-hit musical Rent.
Unfortunately, on the night before Rent opened on Off-Broadway, Larson suffered an aortic dissection and passed away. For fans of Jonathan Larson, Tick, Tick… Boom isn’t just a look at his life but a celebration of his genius.
Tick, Tick… Boom stars Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp and Robin de Jesus.
The plot follows Jonathan Larson performing a one night only show about his life. It jumps between the present and the past that leads him to the concert.
We see his plight as a struggling writer, the faltering of his relationships and the hard truths of the world in the 90s.
As a writer, I respect the authenticity of portraying a writer’s life. Some movies and TV shows try to make it seem glamorous and act as if you get everything straight away.
Tick, Tick… Boom shows all of the work that goes into that life. It shows the strain the industry puts on not only the writer but the people in their life.
As for Andrew Garfield, I’ve always been a fan of him. I love him as Spider-Man and I’ve always thought he’s a talented actor. He further proves that with his portrayal of Jonathan Larson.
Garfield changes from quiet and subtle to loud and humorous in the snap of a finger.
He brings heart to the character – something Jonathan Larson is known for having a lot of. Before watching the movie, I saw a lot of people calling for awards to come Garfield’s way.
Now I see what they’re saying. His performance is not only transformative, but it’s one of his best.
The score by Jonathan Larson is nothing short of brilliant. It ranges from rock (30/90) to comedy (Therapy) to hard-hitting ballads (Come to Your Senses) with ease. Much like the life of Jonathan Larson, the score is a rollercoaster.
I’m listening to the soundtrack as I’m writing this and I probably won’t stop for a few weeks. It’s just that good.
Theatre fans will love the diner scene. Considering it’s his directorial debut, Lin-Manuel Miranda has done well.
He’s crafted a beautifully created movie with impressive visuals mixed with an indie artsy approach that screams Jonathan Larson.
Tick, Tick… Boom is streaming on Netflix.
