tick, tick...BOOM! (2021)

This is the story of a struggling musical-theater writer trying to finish up his 8-years-in-the-making musical for a showcase performance. That this struggling writer is Jonathan Larson, whom we know goes on to write RENT, adds to the interest.

Without Andrew Garfield in the lead, I'm not sure how into this film I'd have been. Though I have a default fascination with musical artistry, it can be a little too self-important in the wrong hands. But, since Garfield plays Larson as a self-deprecating & true-to-himself delight, we're on board. He believes in his art and, despite almost no encouragement, is driven to keep working at it. I really loved the way that his autobiographical show helped to frame the narrative: I wanted to be there seeing him perform it.

But, still, the end result is good, not great. Somehow felt just a bit smaller than it should've.

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