Is Tick Tick Boom the PERFECT movie musical?

[@WaitintheWings]

So what are your thoughts? Is Tick, Tick…Boom! empowering or overrated? Sound off in the comments!

[@davidmckesey7119]

Love this movie

[@chrislee3601]

Watched this movie with a few friends and I was the only one that liked it....

[@davidmckesey7119]

@@chrislee3601 get new friends lol

[@myytchanneldinakoha8498]

It was all Andrew Garfield. Otherwise it would have bn another cringey movie musical.

[@shanoopatoop2426]

love the movie. Hate the split of come to your senses - and I hate that you're so chill about it. WILL NO ONE JOIN ME IN ANGER ?!

[@themeechelle]

Andrew Garfield was phenomenal. I can't imagine someone doing this role better than he did.

[@nani7928]

100% agree

[@ericataylortv]

When Netflix posted a clip of 30/90 a few days before the release I was like “Ohhh.. so this movie is going to be incredible.” I had been worried. It was the exact opposite of my fears!

[@jessicasevin1870]

Andrew Garfield was johnathon Larson. Love the blend of musical and movie

[@JuPaschoal]

Nope, nobody. It was 100% the best performance to date of an already incredible actor. I was mesmerized.

[@ericreese4561]

You wanna hear somthing crazy???

[@PopQuizPH]

Frankly, when I saw the Sunday sequence, the first thought it came to mind was LMM flexing who his friends were and how much he can fit in his film. But, a friend pointed out that the entire Tick Tick Boom is a remembrance and homage to Larson which included a lot of his friends and peers in the industry. In the same vein of the Boho Days performance in which some of Larsons' friends were there, Sunday highlights Larson's peers in the Broadway industry (who are quite A-listers in this case) giving Larson the recognition and acknowledgement he deserves and in this case will never be part officially of a Jonathan Larson production.

[@evelynd9240]

I think what really hits hard the idea of remembrance and homage to me is that one of the first people you see in the diner is someone who was a close friend of Jonathan Larson's (on top of being a prolific performer), and that the homeless people right outside the diner were three of the original cast of RENT. It reinforces this idea that as wild and as much of a flex all the cameos seem to be, ultimately this is meant to be an homage to Larson and the influence he had in this community and medium of storytelling.

[@ShadowsofthePastTheater]

It's an homage to the brilliant Stephen Sondheim who Larson idolized and who ended up being a mentor of his.

[@PopQuizPH]

@@ShadowsofthePastTheater the song is a homage to Sondheim, but the way it was presented in the movie with the Broadway icons also pay homage to Larson:)

[@victoriaacrage6342]

I also think Tick Tick serves as a parallel to Sunday the musical

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

That’s nice, Karen. Frankly, I saw “Sunday” and the first thought that came to mind was: 1) these are the folks who wanted to pay their respects to Jonathan and let him know they love him and miss him The next thought that came to mind was: 2) given that “Sunday” was probably filmed sometime last year, as things were shut down for months and slowly re-opened, the folks who showed up in the final product were probably the easiest folks to get ahold of.

[@blackandbluemadness7965]

No cameos made me more happy than seeing the OG RENT cast together again. Because those werent just people inspired by Jonathan Larson. Those were people who knew them, who worked with him, for him, who helped him realize his dream, and who lost him. It was the most beautiful part of this tribute to me.

[@disgruntledcashier503]

I think another thing that makes a good movie musical is realizing that the structure of a good musical and the structure of a good movie are very different. What In The Heights and Tick Tick Boom did so well were that they deeply changed the story, shifting around scenes and songs to suit the format. Also love how Andre De Shields has like 4 lines and still steals the show. "It's not a math test".

[@gleewhoseline198]

Exactly, the Dear Evan Hansen movie got this all wrong.

[@WaitintheWings]

This is another really good point.

[@michaelelliott8350]

The timing of Tick, Tick... Boom! with Stephen Sondheim's death makes it even more impactful - the story of one theater genius encouraging/nurturing the next generation (first Jonathan Larson, then Lin-Manuel Miranda). And LMM is doing the same now

[@kkingdrs6630]

its funny steven sodheim encuraged jonothan larson who encouraged lin manuel miranda and now he inspires us too change musicals even more

[@karentecott640]

Oscar Hammerstein taught young Sondhein, so it goes longer back through time.

[@katym2487]

when i watched tick tick boom I *sobbed* I'm 25 and unemployed and have no idea what i'm doing with my life. I was in marketing for a year and HATED IT, then a pandemic hit and everything became terrifying. I studied Media Studies at University, I have a hobby of arts and crafts and graphic design, I try (and fail mostly) to write songs, I write 100,000 word fanfictions just for fun (and because I'm scared of writing something with new original characters, but need an outlet for creative writing). I love theatre and film and TV and dream of working behind the scenes in some way, but with anxiety and depression and crippling self doubt that's a difficult dream to have. Tick tick boom... it got me. I saw myself in so many of the characters, in the way the film felt. it just got me, and after watching it, I looked into a mirror and saw my smiling face and sobbed, because i saw myself, for the first time in a long time i glimpsed a part of my soul. it was gone by the next day, but in that moment i felt free, i felt like my anxiety had gone, that my depression had vanished, and i sobbed. it meant a lot to me. i wish all movie musicals could have been like this, and my *god* do i wish DEH had been (it had so much potential, and as someone that related somewhat to Evan i just... nope...) but yeah, tick tick boom was absolutely amazing, and I've been trying to get my mother to watch it with me for two weeks now

[@violetlongitude5963]

Hang in there, brother. This world needs you.

[@ibarrybenson8722]

Hey there Katy! I hope the world gets to see your work in the near future, take your time with it. We will be there to see it when it happens.

[@silvercheetah92]

Katy I feel the same way. I want to write too and I'm in my late twenties. I don't have connections like Jon did and I don't think I can write as well as he did. I haven't even felt my creative spark recently. But whenever I doubt myself I remember Sylvia Weinstock. She was the queen of cakes. She didn't start her baking business until she was 50 after she survived cancer. She recently passed away. Some people are like Larson they start when they're young and others are like Weinstock their chance to shine will come when they're older.

[@pascalswager9100]

I loved the part of the movie that said "just keep throwing stuff at the wall, until something sticks" tell You what Your comment and raw emotion of what You wrote made Me cry.

[@paultoseland9524]

@@silvercheetah92 I couldn't put how I feel better than Katy M

[@matth3w2002]

This movie really changed my perspective on life. What must we give up for our passions to thrive? Can we give up our passion for others? How can we leave a mark if our future is so uncertain?

[@notsleptwell1973]

Yes living for others not for myself and egotripping

[@hijklmnop42]

Agreed -- so many reviewers say that this movie is a love letter to Broadway or musical theater or Jonathan Larson himself... but I think it's a love letter to... ambition! And anxiety! And growing older! And "starting on the next one" after the last one didn't quite work out...

[@ms.marvelous8156]

I sent the netflix clip of “Sunday” (which didn’t show the whole song and all the cameos) to my mom and the first person she recognized was, in her words, “that guy from Hadestown (aka Andre De Shields).” The song and all it’s cameos is definitely made for theater lovers but I really don’t think it hurts the overall movie. Like if you don’t know who people are, you’d probably just assume Jonathan imagined the entire diner turned into some sort of stage show and just completely miss the cameos until your theater nerd friends fully geeked out about it.

[@elisavossler8179]

It's not just the sunday sequence that has cameos, the writers workshop is full of composers

[@WaitintheWings]

I honestly think the scene would be better if you weren't a theatre fan. It would be a lot more ridiculous haha

[@sts0klrv]

@@WaitintheWings it was! im not a theater nerd so i just saw this scene as just johns free mind thoughts! his opinion on a sunday bruch xd

[@alwayscommenting56]

As a non-theater fan, this was exactly the impression I got! A cute little imagined spot. The camera didn't linger in an obvious way on any person so I didn't even realize they were supposed to be cameos of famous (theater) people.

[@micahcook2408]

From a story standpoint I feel it also represents the “dream” of many people wanting to work with those faces in the industry. It’s an artist’s dream and respect towards the craft and those who came before him and after him. Like Jon in Tick Tick wanted to create his own “Sunday in The Park” just like Sondheim who he looked up to which showcases how influences pour into each generation after the next.

[@rjenyawd]

A note about the poignancy of the cameos in "Sunday", and how they are so much more than just cheeky Easter eggs: The majority of the cameos were from people directly involved in Larson's real life, performers in his works, or inspirations for the source material. They were ALL relevant to Jon's story. It wasn't just musical theatre shout outs. It was Jonathan Larson shout outs.

[@joshshiemke4153]

I definitely watched this movie cause of Andrew Garfield, never really a theater kid but I loved the movie. And the Sunday sequence didn’t take me out at all not knowing those were famous people. To me it was just showing how Jon coped with the stress of his job; that, and I’ve worked in a diners for years so I gotta kick out of the sequence telling a story about a crazy Sunday.. been through many of those😂

[@keithsamuek8268]

Haha same man

[@ImNotOld_ImVintage]

I am not a huge theater musical fan, but I appreciate it for what it is and the talent found there. I know a little, so some I recognised the cameos in "Sunday" (those I knew) for what I think it was.. The rest of the film either takes place in "the real world" (his apartment, the park, etc..) or in the theatre (workshop or stage). Sunday actually takes place in Jonathan's head. So, who would he cast in those roles to sing in dance with him? His heroes - the theater greats. So in that respect, the cameos weren'r a distraction. They were a MUST.

[@zakkhetfield1963]

Sunday had the opposite effect on me. I'm not a musical theatre guy, but I'm a big movie guy. During that scene, I knew these patrons at the diner must be cameos, so I was intrigued and researched the scene. Because of that, I discovered the original Sondheim piece, and I'm so happy that I did, because Sondheim died the very next day. It was a beautiful rabbit hole that I ventured down due to the diner scene, so it was the furthest thing from alienating for me.

[@mbanerjee5889]

Andrew Garfield was perfect. I really hope he gets more recognition for this role. And Lin Manuel Miranda proves that he is not only a musical genius but an amazing director. I knew nothing about this movie and know nothing about Broadway musicals. It was such a relatable story for everyone disillusioned by the thought of turning 30. It was both hopeful and tragic in the most beautiful way.

[@rachellee2926]

i literally sobbed for half an hour after watching it for the first time. it spoke to me on a level that nothing else had, and made me actually want to create more despite pushback from scheduling and family. it made me want nothing more than to write. that’s the beauty of it to me, tick tick boom offers comfort and understanding for kids like me who hadn’t seen anything like it before.

[@mar2982]

about the sunday sequence, a rant: i'm someone who hasn't seen much musicals but has adored each one that has indeed seen deeply. that's to say, although i may know les mis by heart, i haven't seen rent or sunday, or heathers, or... you get the gist. i'm not savy on musical culture, i don't know the major stars or producers. so, i pretty much didn't recognize a single easter egg in tick tick boom. still, when the sunday sequence began, i just _knew_ there were so many references right in front of my eyes, i could just tell these people were important and what i was watching was a big deal. it made me feel like a little kid that is so amazed by what's in front of their eyes but can't comprehend it. yes, i must admit i felt a little bit excluded, but you know what that caused? after finishing the movie i watched every video i could find that dissected, analyzed and explained all the easter eggs so that i could get the whole picture. it felt like discovering a whole new world and made me want to watch all the shows that i've missed. although i'm no theater kid, i could feel through every scene the love that LMM put in this film. it felt so intimate, like a love letter to the world of musical theater and to artists of all kinds. this movie had a beating heart from beginning to end, i hadn't felt so touched by a piece of media in a long time. it truly sparked something in me and made me feel so alive; i laughed, sang, smiled and cried through every minute. tick tick boom feels like the most beautiful tribute someone could make for a figure like Jonathan Larson, it has a heart and a soul, it's filled with passion and the acting just took it to the next level. i haven't seen anything like it. it has truly become one of my favorite movies of all time and i'll rewatch it again and again for the rest of my life.

[@barblegg5644]

Thank you for writing this! I live in a small town on the West Coast of Canada, and I am not into social media much. Everything you wrote resonated with me and I have been bursting every since I watched it (last week, while in bed sick with Covid). It brought me alive, when I was feeling so crappy - fever, chills, aches, sore ears, throat, etc. I, too, watched every show and interview that delved into all the details, Easter eggs, cameos etc., and fell deeper into the story with each one. It was all encompassing - of course, I was sick in bed with a lot of time on my hands which enabled a deep dive into the movie - and it has left me with this incredible need to connect with other people who are as BLOWN AWAY by this movie, as me. I keep trying to frantically explain the brilliance of this movie, to my Covid isolating family, who have no idea what I am talking about and TOTALLY DON’T GET IT!!! Reading your post, was balm for my rapidly beating heart and mind with partially formed thoughts zinging around. I can’t turn it off and can’t stop thinking about the movie, how well done it is - thank you LMM, how well performed - thank you to all the cast, (and they are all truly brilliant, not just Andrew Garfield), the crew, costume designers, set designers, lighting crew, location scouts, producers, musicians - all truly magnificient) and everyone else I have forgotten to mention. This love letter to Jonathan, his family, Sondheim, musical theatre participants, all struggling artists and every single human being that struggles with, ‘what am I doing with my life?’ is absolutely brilliant in the big picture, the storyline, the execution, the production, even the marketing, and down to the very last detail. Nothing has ever touch me more and even after writing all this, I am still bursting. As I write this, I have a feeling welling up inside me: this is going to be a classic, this is going to change how people make movies, encourage people to be more honest, open, vulnerable (I can hear Andrew coming through). Can you say, “Cult following?” When I was growing up, it was ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ which still had a cult following today. This movie went straight into my heart and your post made me feel like I am not the only one. Thank you! Barb

[@ARS1508]

Same!!!!!

[@plainrosiejane]

just gonna say that the "Sunday" scene would be no more distracting for a non theater person than "another day of sun" in La La Land. it would only be 'distracting' for people who KNOW the references thats actually happening. i use Another Day Of Sun as an example because i knew quite a big chunk of the dancers by face in that scene where as for others its just a group number. not exactly the same, but im still pointing at my screen with an excited yelp seeing performers i admire.

[@jongon0848]

Agreed. I'm not a theater person and I didn't even know these were cameos until I saw the video

[@selenamcmahan9234]

Honestly I just can't stop jamming to 30/90

[@WaitintheWings]

I was gonna title this video “30/90 has been stuck in my head for a week” 😂

[@selenamcmahan9234]

@@WaitintheWings THERE SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIT YOU JUST WANT YO LAY DOWN AND CRY!!!!!

[@pannetonalex]

Hot take; 30/90 is better than any song in RENT.

[@micro-babe]

Same. I turn 30 in September so it is frighteningly relatable.

[@rachelf5466]

self-care is listening to 30/90 on literal repeat.

[@skyaltaria]

15:22 I saw Andrew Garfield in Angels in America on Broadway - what an incredibly demanding and physically intensive performance it was. It was incredible to watch him both in Angels and in this film. And his singing was fantastic too boot. He's so talented and this movie is just the top tier of musical to movie adaptations

[@karmen181]

I’m jealous of you for watching that masterpiece.. Garfield is so special

[@hayleyross1207]

I think you nailed it when you said this film just "got it". It felt like something that was born from alot of love and a hell of alot of musical sensibility. Only criticism.. after watching this with my musical obsessed 8yo I had to explain to her why letting her watch Rent may not be entirely appropriate at her age. 😜

[@barblegg5644]

Really laughed at your comment about your 8 yr old musical obsessed daughter, and Rent. Good one - thanks!

[@jennywc]

After everything that’s happened in the past year this was the movie all us theatre kids needed. A reminder of why we create in the first place. We were hit with a series of huge global events that were supposed to divide us. But it brought us theatre kids closer together. And this movie really gets it!

[@imihuntley]

When Tick.. Tick.. Boom! was announced last year I said to myself and everyone around me: “This is my favourite movie.” A year later, I’ve already watched it 3 times and had the soundtrack on repeat constantly. I was right. Love your videos as always and that quote from Jonathon before he died was incredible!

[@Cantrona]

I'm not a theatre person in the slightest. I wanted to watch this movie because I heard Andrew got set up for the part because his massage therapist lied to Lin Manuel Miranda about him being able to sing and got curious. I absolutely loved the film. Did not catch a single cameo, mainly know Vanessa Hudgens from HSM, but adored this production and felt moved by the story. I'm a visual arts and animation person, not theatre, but it still touched me. Also been listening to the songs non-stop for over a week now.

[@sarrahathome]

I am not a huge theater follower, but I love great stories and the ever-powerful "hero story" of someone's life. Tick Tick Boom was amazing and I wanted to learn more about Jonathan Larson after I watched, it was his story of perseverance. I love that celebration of his life in what it shares about keep going as you may leave something unique with your impression on life. Magical in so many ways.

[@oliverlabrador8880]

This to me is the best musical adaptation I’ve ever seen put to screen.

[@Nolaris3]

I watched this with my artist sister (and I can barely call myself a writer). I can say that this is a movie that any person involved in the arts should watch.

[@looniemoonie5955]

I have a guilty pleasure if you could call it that- I absolutely adore motivational movies and books. Stuff about hardworking guys hitting big? Yes please. So when I've read description of this movie, I knew I was going to love it. It was 11/10 musical. It's probably perfect. What hurt me the most... it's its ending. To my shame I didn't know who Larsen is before I watched the movie so I expected some cheesy ending like "it doesn't matter if you're in your 20s/30s, you still can hit it big!! Just don't give up on your dreams!" but... the man just died. Just like that. He died HOURS before his musical became a hit. I was shocked and heartbroken. He was so young!! He could have done so much more! And, on top of all things- so sudden?! It's like a movie plot, some sort of evil irony- he wanted to do so much and died so young... I am 28 atm and my entire life I've tried to hit it big with my art. Not musicals, but comic books/manga. I've tried different things, themes, styles but every time failed miserably to gather any audience. I've spent countless nights drawing just to get 20 subs, 30 subs... total. Nothing I could make living from. Nobody ever asked me to do a commission for them. And, well, I am not doing that for money, obviously. I love what I am doing, I live and breath it. But it would be nice to afford food by doing what you love. It would be nice if thousands of people could see what I am doing instead of five or six people who've stumbled upon it by accident. It's just... I have so many ideas, man. I have hundreds of stories in my head and I just can't stop thinking about all this stuff. They came in my sleep, sometimes I even have hard time concetrating on what other people say because I am lost in my thoughts. I am doing one thing then I am switching to other thing and on and on. Sometimes I think it's all pointless. When do you give up? When do you stop living this childish dream? I am almost 30 and I am still nobody. I don't have friends, gf, nothing, all I have are my stories. Like Larsen's friend, I could have have a nice apartment, finally leave this god-awful country, maybe marry someone, but I just can't betray myself like that. I've tried to do something else but I just can't force myself, can't stop thinking about my worlds and these characters... So this movie and this man who lived and died like a star hit me too hard. I am so tired, so afraid and so alone because I don't think I've ever encountered people who understand this kind of struggle. There won't be any links, no self promotion, nothing. I just wanted to vent a little bit. No one is going to read it anyway) Well, if you did for some weird reason, have a nice day.

[@elizabethpage_]

Lin did a FANTASTIC job with this, exploring what he could do with the medium of film that could really sell this movie. I’ve watched it numerous times and it’s just so wonderful. Petition for Lin to be in charge of directing any future movie musicals?

[@maddietillem6778]

The amount of videos you've been posting lately makes me so happy (although I really hope you've at least slept a few hours recently), and I love how you've been mixing up your "history of a show" documentaries with other content. You perfectly described where movie musicals go wrong, and how/why ttb didn't go down that path, while also keeping up with your usual "probably too dramatic and filled with theater jokes for anyone who isn't a complete nerd" style. You also get an honorable mention for including LMMs "word of your body" video. AND YOU FINALLY GOT A SPONSORSHIP!!! YAYYYY!!! Good job on another amazing video!

[@WaitintheWings]

I’m trying to get sleep here and there lol definitely been a bit of a struggle 😂 I’m happy you’ve been liking the new stuff. I’m getting to big decision time of if I leave my part time job to go full into the channel. It’s looking like that's what I may have to do if I ever want to get a big doc out again.

[@JetsFittedUp]

Tick tick boom, to Rent, to Up in the heights, is such a cool path to follow after seeing Johnathon grow as a artist to seeing the people he inspired making musicals to those people directing Tick tick boom makes a Ouroboros of theatre and I love it.

[@doubletrouble5448]

As a ✨young aspiring artist✨, I totally agree with it inspiring a new generation. Because it inspired a lot, and I AM the new generation. But it felt like a direct message to me of what it means to be an artist. That one day, our *big* *dream* will become a reality, even if there’s some obstacles

[@seanhorace925]

The film adaptation of Tick Tick Boom certainly was a rollercoaster of emotions. How much you gonna bet this film will get Oscar nominations (especially for Garfield's performance)

[@WaitintheWings]

If it doesn't, then something is really wrong.

[@katmorgo1892]

I’m sorry I seem to have forgotten did it get an Oscar nomination

[@sallevadorradman1938]

I loved this musical movie. The music perfectly builds apon the scenes around the them. For 30/90 you're seeing the start of the movie talking about the existentialism of his life thus make that feeling of an existential crisis amplified. The Sunday scene I appreciated because, when you're working there are days when you want to tell people, Go Home! You can eat cheaper there. Then cages or wings starts on the perfect scene where Susan gives him his music book to write more setting off tick tick boom! It's just so well done!

[@LadyNekoshema]

I was a huge Larson fan in my teens. Major Rent head. I LOVED Tick, Tick, Boom and listen to a lot of the songs regularly. Growing up, I could never afford to go to a live performance, so my knowledge of musical theatre actors only extends as far as "You were in a show I liked enough to memorize the cast." So, when I got to the song Sunday, I only recognized a handful of the cast. Everything about it, to me, feels like a dream sequence. Jonathan is surrounded by famous Broadway paraformers, how it is filmed, even when the diner opens, to me, indicates we've entered a dream. I feel it works in this instance because, by this point, we've established Jonathan as a character, and the monologues indicate he does have a rich inner world. I feel most people who aren't into musicals will see this and go "Not my favourite part, but he's dreaming about what he wants."

[@nonexplicitname]

I didn’t know anyone from “Sunday” cuz I’m not a big theatre fan and also I haven’t seen the video but from the comment I just want to add that the whole scene/song was really cool and I just thought Jonathan wanted to distract himself from the job especially after the bad news by imagining this to let out his frustrations

[@Sara_TheFatCultureCritic]

Pieces of the songs have been running through my head constantly since I watched it. I'm trying to make decisions about grad school or creating outside academia. I'm a decade past 30 but wow does this musical speak to the soul of creators.

[@crimsonpear6205]

What an amazing video! I watched this movie with my parents. We are from Venezuela, so like, the theatre world is not really something they are used to, my mother didn't get it, but my dad did, and he truly loved everything the movie stood for! I was happy to be able to explain a few easter eggs, because I got really invested in theatre thanks to your videos, I was really looking forward for this video, and as always, it's an amazing one!

[@ameemn77182]

I love how you mentioned how Andrew portrayed Jon in such a way that he didn't come off as a narcissist. I saw a production of this show earlier this year and my biggest criticism was that the portrayal of Jon made it difficult to like him. Andrew makes Jon's dream to make the next Broadway hit as someone with aspirations and was doing everything he could to get there. Its so easy for some of that to come off as being entitled to stardom and whinging about failures.

[@spencer4771]

I 100% agree with the Cameos, I didn't know anyone in that diner was a big-time star or not just an ordinary extra, and I still love that song and the movie in general. I am in love with Andrew Garfield's performance and singing. And no I don't usually like musicals

[@allisonbergh4429]

What I really love about this movie, in addition to its general brilliance, is that it doesn’t just speak to the artists still fighting the good fight in pursuit of their dreams. It also shows acceptance and love for those of us who had to, for whatever reason, let those dreams fall by the wayside. The simple fact is not everyone can survive as an artist, and a lot of the time it’s something as uncontrollable as where you were born that makes that decision for you. This film shows Michael making the sensible choice to “sell out” - that is, get a *proper* job - but REMAINING PART OF THE COMMUNITY. His love for the theatre and the people who are its lifeblood isn’t gone just because he had bills to pay. I think a lot of the time, people like him - like me, and countless others - are overlooked, even sometimes vilified, for doing what we have to do to survive, even when that means giving up our dreams. But let’s be honest here - people who love theatre with all their hearts, but also have steady jobs bringing in a reliable paycheck, are the ones keeping the theatre afloat. We’re the ones buying tickets and cast albums, supporting the arts in any way we can, to the extent of our abilities. This movie is a subtle but wonderful reminder that we’re just as much a part of that community, in our way, as the people whose names and faces everyone knows. 🥰

[@rebeccakravitz7711]

The part of Steven Sondheim feels different now that Steven Sondheim has died. R.I.P one of broadways greatest composers.

[@autumnnwoods]

I love musicals, I love rent, and I adore Andrew Garfield, so this was 1000% my musical movie. This was the perfect movie musical. My mom totally freaked out when she saw Bernadette, but I don’t feel like the cameos ruined the number, I felt like it gave tribute. The song is definitely a wink wink so having the cameos made it better in its joke.

[@TranceFormationMusic]

Haha! We didn't actually walk around with television sets on our heads. But thank you for doing such a thorough and sensitive breakdown. The movie does get it-the story, the feeling, the time and place. Sure, they took poetic license with a few things, but LMM, the designer, the cast, everybody: they really captured it. I love it.

[@wendypierce5621]

It’s a love letter to Broadway that is much needed after a couple of very difficult years. Loved it.

[@Happyhogan]

This film was absolutely amazing. Gave me a new perspective. Means so much more as I am so lucky to be taking on the role of Tom Collins in January. What a legend, puts a new light on an unspoken topic.

[@bellowingsilence]

I don’t really think there was anything distracting for an outsider about Sunday… they’re no more likely to be distracted by participants in the number they don’t recognize than they are by not knowing the song itself is an homage to Sondheim, and particularly a musical and song they probably don’t recognize by a composer they don’t either. And I think that particular number itself was worth the risk anyways. What we ended up with was a bunch of people paying tribute to Larson, their hero, in the number where Larson was paying tribute to his hero, Sondheim. It shows a sort of understanding by those involved in what Larson was doing with that song, because they are doing the same thing… and aside from being really meta, it’s also beautiful. As the movie visualizes Larson’s love letter to Sondheim, it brings in musical theater stars, particularly those from works influenced most by his legacy, who are doing the same thing to Jonathan Larson.

[@imoenbradley3351]

when you talk about the theatre references/cameos and those who aren't theatre nerds not getting it. I can state as a person who occasionally watched musical movies, that it did not scare me off because i just really enjoyed the plot and the story telling and the care put into it. And by not a theatre person, I mean that I didn't really like hamilton (please don't murder me, i honetsly wouldn't be surprised if it was partly because i didn't get along with the people who would just belt it out in middle school) and other non-disney musicals, so i feel qualified to say it made an impact on at least one person who isn't part of the intended audience

[@SandwichYum-23]

I feel like this is the right moment to say this. Your channel is my absolute favorite on this entire platform. Your videos create a perfect balance between my love for documentaries and musical theatre. They made me realize how much I enjoy learning about the creative process behind both Broadway successes and failures. I found this channel during my first year in Swedish High School, winter 2019/2020. I will be graduating this spring. Your videos have made a tremendous impact on my life these last few years and motivated me to push through even the most difficult of times. As a science major, I often struggle with balancing school and hobbies, and your videos serve as both the perfect break and the perfect motivator ("If this guy can make an amazing video about Legs Diamond, then I can write a laboratory report on Iron Corrosion", etc...). Thanks to your videos, I now feel closer to the musical theatre community than ever before and, understand the importance of making time for your passions, especially when things get stressful. Wow, this comment ended up a lot longer than I was expecting. I sincerely thank you for everything, and can't wait to see what you create next!

[@ashleylourenco9439]

"Sunday" literally blew my mind! I think TTB is really genius and I enjoyed just how broadway essentialist it is while still adapting. LMM definitely took some notes from in the heights & hamilton, and I thought it was great. I was a bit frustrated at some of the unexplored plots, such as the unexplained friend (literally cannot find his name online) who is hospitalized from hiv. however, this could have been a stylistic choice to highlight the presence of hiv in larson's life at the time as a realization until michael's plot. I also wish they had made some of the rehearsal songs available in full studio recordings! That one number in the workshop along the lines of "everyone who's anyone or ever will be anyone will be there" was amazing, but finding the scene and replaying the same 10 seconds over and over again when I want to listen to the line is so annoying. Overall, great film and review.

[@mar2982]

yes i also wished they had included the workshop song in the soundtrack they released! i love it so much

[@DrMattPhillips]

18:22 could not disagree more with that comment, the cameos did the very thing you said a film adaption should do, it elevates the songs in a way that the stage couldn't. The cameos weren't just a 'hey, look at all these people we could get to appear in this film!' Each cameo was carefully placed and references, pays tribute to or foreshadows the theme of musical theatre legacy, of which through Sondheim (being the aspiration of legacy) and Larson by contrast (within the context of the show) recurs all throughout the film. It's speaking to the past, the present (in relation to the film's setting) and the future (our present). The Rent cast as the bums foreshadows not just the creation and theme of Rent but how Larson saw people, he saw stars where others refuse to make eye contact. Peter's part in that scene is profound, both because of the song being a tongue in cheek version of Sunday in the Park's Sunday, but also because of what 'dot' represents within that story and how that contrasts to Larson's 'Johnny can't decide' conflict, hence the focus on her also being a focus on her hat. Larson and the two George's share a lot in common, as the creative process is timeless. Both versions of the song, be it the original or Larson's are about an ordinary Sunday, of which we introspect know wasn't an ordinary Sunday. It again speaks to the theme of making art vs living through it. This is something the cameo's drive home. There are a lot of layers in the direction and placement, of which I feel the comment overlooked. You have to look deeper than just what's on the surface of 'famous people appear'. You only realize the legacy of art happened in retrospect, it's what separates Banksy from any other graffiti artist, or a timeless classic like Star Wars from any old 70s sci-fi b-movie. Art is retrospective and introspective, that is what the scene emphasizes because that's what the song emphasizes.

[@iooog1]

yeah im DEFINITLY NOT in the 'theatre scene" but I didn't find the cameo's distracting AT ALL it worked really really well and Tick Tick Boom is my fav movie of 2021!!

[@shanghaitatoo]

I don't know much about musical theatre and was never into musicals, I have a different creative medium. I watched Tick Tick .. Boom, didn't know what to expect, and the movie really drew me in. I think the movie is made with a lot of love and I could feel it, even though it is about the world of music theatre that I know nothing about. I watched it 3 or 4 times now, and with each watch, it connects with me more, the love, heart, the creeping self-doubt and perseverance, and the fact that one encouraging word from a mentor can keep you going for years. I am just really happy that this movie exists. Thank you for the video.

[@ARS1508]

Lin’s interview about Sunday “ I want to give Jonathan his dream chorus.” ❤️

[@RicardoLopez-rq4vg]

I watched this with my girlfriend who is not into the musicals scene, i found myself gasping and laughing at the cameos and she asked me to explain. I love this movie so much because it had those nerdy moments and also had us both crying so hard 2 TIMES

[@cinephan]

i loved this movie. andrew was a revelation. i had no idea he could sing and dance like that. honestly, i was never a big fan of rent even though it came out when i was the age of the characters. it always seemed to be trying too hard. this was amazing. i loved everything about this. the music, the characters, this felt real in a way rent never did for me. i will be watching this multiple times. your video was great. as usual, it was well researched and well presented. you did a fantastic job. keep em coming.

[@annalayland5308]

I, like you said, watched the movie, not really knowing much about Broadway or Broadway actors, so I didn’t get the cameos or references, but that absolutely did not stop me from appreciating how utterly AMAZING the movie was. It’s powerful and emotional, and made me cry more than once. Reading about Jonathan Larson and everything that went into it and inspired the movie just amplified that emotion

[@Fayklore]

Tick, Tick, Boom was... an experience. I've been writing fantasy novels for most of my life, starting with small ideas since I was around six, and moving onto full novel ideas and pieces of work by around fifteen. I've got like twenty different ideas stored together, and there's one series I've been working on since I was seven that I'll never let go and am currently writing the second book of. Tick, Tick, Boom spoke to me. I resonated with the thought, the fear of time passing me and me having nothing to show for it. It actually gave me chills when Rosa had her conversation with Johnathon, and she says that artists need to just keep throwing things at the wall until something stick, because what they told me was that even my most loved ideas, even the ones I worked my entire life on, might not work out. The entire night after I watched this movie, I won't lie, I had tears down my cheeks as my anxiety had taken control. However, with some rest and more time to think about it, I managed to turn that worry and fear into a motivation to focus harder on my writing. I spent the next day working on my second book, wrote the first draft for my newest chapter which met a 5,080 word peak. This movie was definitely something, and I am very thankful to Lin Manuel Miranda for bringing it to life.

[@v.v365]

I feel like Sunday was a musical number that got elevated from a simple fanciful glance into Jon Larson’s mind in the midst of menial tasks to a celebration of musical theater’s ability to heighten reality, on par with the rest of the movie’s message about if the pursuit of art can be a viable career. Plus we got broadway legends harmonizing in a gorgeous chorus with a fantastic orchestral score backing them up, it was worth the potential distraction of the audience.

[@gregsradcliffe]

Well done, I worked on this in post and you nailed the "creative approach" the production had. Lin did a great job as well as the entire crew and post teams

[@_voyager_1877]

Hello, as someone not invested in the theater world at all, the Sunday scene was my favorite and I bawled my eyes out. To me, the first part was Jonathan's growing frustration, understaffed during rush hour, trying to focus on the orders, feeling suffocated. All those negative, chaotic feelings pile up with every second and then, boom, sudden calmness, derealization. He imagines the diner as a stage, all the screaming clients as cast members, as if it's all a part of a big play. Time for his solo, then big happy resolution. This moment of misery is just a part of his big musical life. He has to believe in his own success - otherwise, he feels like he might go crazy.

[@darfie5736]

I am first and foremost a fan of LMM, love everything he does. I'm learning to appreciate musicals more and more. So for me the Sunday sequence was more an invitation to check the people who were in that scene and learn more about them. My wife didn't question anything, and just thought is was a cool song.... So I'd say it isn't distracting to the plot of the movie at all

[@jonnychen919]

wow love your video. the last part where you talk about art, and why we need it, why we love it, just makes me cry. well, i cry almost every time when the curtain falls on stage after a show, guess that's where my heart belongs.

[@cypherpunkreviews]

As an artist's living out of a studio appt in a big city with Marfan's, tick tick boom introduced me to theater in such an astounding and personal way. If some new property bars someone from entering the entire genre it comes from, that genre wasn't for them, or they'll find it when they need it. Artistic expression turned up is absolutely not a red flag!

[@PhillipImbesi]

I enjoyed the Sunday sequence in that it wasn't just a love letter to Larson, which the entire movie is of course, it's also a love letter to those of us who know theater, and know the connections between those performers and Larson as well. During your video when you mentioned that it had the possible side effect of alienating those who aren't as well versed my reaction was, "so what?" We've reached a point where commercialism has made it necessary for televised and movie versions of theater projects to have a "recognizable" name jammed in so non theater people can keep up. Most notability the insistence of shoehorning in pop stars into the "live" productions which almost always leads to a watering down of the actual performances we've come to expect. Rather than give live performers a chance to shine doing what they do best. It was nice to see absolute theater heavy hitters and legends have a number where they are featured.

[@anthonys.8569]

At risk of being a prisoner of the moment- this is one of the best Broadway to movie adaptations I've ever seen.

[@mkstudios7589]

I fricken love this movie the camera movements, the actors, the very true feelings, the songs everything is amazing I love how this movie paid homage to Jonathan Larson I feel like this movie kickstarted my obsession with musical theatre even though I personally never did it at all.

[@holasenorita]

Tick Tick Boom was one of the best movies I watched this year, no joke.

[@laurensteele4616]

First of all, I loved your video and have shared it to Facebook. You captured the essence of what 1- every theatre and creative art junkie feels every day of their lives and 2- the gentle nudging to people who aren’t Theatre goers, but would enjoy a great movie for the ages. This movie is timeless and will speak to anyone struggling in a world where art is minimized and cash is king. I felt entirely seen as I feel like each day I get into my posh job, I think of a life that could have been. A life of wanting to act out stories and sing them to my heart’s content, but how much of a struggle that would be and I might never make it big…or worse, I get so close and kill myself in exhaustion just like Larson did. I have loved Rent since 1996 and never looked back. Larson will always have a spot in my heart and although his beautiful rock musical touches the hearts and souls of so many to this day and beyond, I feel there is so much untold by such a brilliant mind. So pleased you loved the movie. I did too. I was thoroughly blown away.

[@brandon-leelucas3534]

I think the main themes are so relatable to anyone who has had to made that hard decision between passion and what pays the rent. Gave up on academia because I couldn't support myself anymore with the lack of pay in my research field and am looking at private corps. So the advertising scene hit home for me. "I can get PAID for this?!"

[@tillchakraborty7482]

Thanks for this rich snd profound review. I knew the Cast Album for years, but honestly didn‘t think a lot about the Kontext of the Show. It was after the „ Rent“ Hype that I found it and here in germany one can adore Musical theatre but we don‘t suck it up in the mother milk. But after I heard the Cast Album. I was actually more intrigued by the music than after listening to the „Rent“ Cast Recording the first time. Anyway I didn‘t knew a lot about the context of the show and then I saw this film and it was my „ Red Shoes“ experience…. I guess I watched it st least seven times the last three days and I am still so overwhelmed with the honesty of acting from this brilliant cast, the raw and smoothfulness of the music, the depth in the story telling and the brilliance of the director, to present a highly narcissistic artist where the audience even in moments of annoyance has a embracing feeling for. This movie reminded a lot of the highly praised „ la, la, land“, but emotionally it touched me much more and I deeply wish it will get as much prizes as possible, because they are well deserved!

[@KayleeFarnes]

This movie reignited my love of musicals. And I've always been a passing fan, I didn't know all the cameos in Sunday (I'm in love with Bernadette Peters though so she brought me joy) but I enjoyed it all nonetheless. This movie was near perfect not just from a musical standpoint but simply as a movie. I'm so impressed by Lin and I've always loved Andrew Garfield and he was phenomenal. I love this movie so much. I love your analysis of it.

[@docdirectorr]

just finished watch the movie and then saw this in the sub box. Absolutely awesome video that really enhanced my appreciation for the movie. Thank you very much.

[@stijnvth]

One of my favorite films of 2021 for sure. tearjerker. So so good. The story, the cast ... everything about it.

[@JuPaschoal]

I enjoy musicals, but living in Brazil there's no way I could ever be a musical theater kid. The one time I got to go to New York, I saw seven plays (one in the Public, six on Broadway), of which only two were musicals - The Book of Mormon and Something Rotten. Of course I watch movie musical adaptations and recognized Bernardette Peters, Bebe Neurith, Philippa Soo, Renée Elise Goldberg and maybe a couple others, but in no way I'm immersed in this world and I ADORED this movie. Of course it wouldn't have worked half as well without an actor without the magnitude of Andrew's talent, but that comment shown was PERFECT: if you're adapting a play to film, ffs USE what the medium has to offer!!!!! It's not a surprise that LMM understands this as well as he does, and his lack of recognition as a director this award season has been driving me absolutely insane. (Also driving me insane: sure, Andrew's pretty much a lock for an Oscar nomination, but it sure doesn't look like he's gonna win. Of course we know that this stuff is all about internal movie industry politics and money and have little to do with the actual performances, but what the hell. I saw most of the other likely nominees and let me tell you, as incredible as a lot of them are, I'm sorry, but nobody comes remotely close to what Andrew does here. But then again, it was the same in the Hacksaw Ridge year, so...) This thing about not using the medium to enhance the storytelling bothers me a lot. The text may be the strongest ever written, but c'mon, you're not filming a stage performance, do something different! More often than not, I watch a movie I know was based on a play thinking about how awesome it would have been to watch on stage the whole time. Fences and The tragedy of Macbeth are two of the examples I have from the top of my head. The other example was even more glaring: while I was watching Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and its staging and transitions and blocking, I was thinking about how it'd be a phenomenal play, which later I discovered it actually was. (That Viola Davis and Denzel Washington starred both in two of them is a mere coincidence lol)

[@duskmallow]

I watched Tick Tick Boom with my mum tonight. She's not into musicals and I'm not sure whether she liked it, but I was blown away. From the first second, I knew it was gonna be good. There were so many moments that made me go "This is incredible filmmaking", and yet it felt so much like theatre. Watching it, I felt the same way I did when I saw West Side Story as a child - I went in not knowing the story at all and I came out crying my eyes out and absolutely in love with theatre. As an artist (I don't write musicals, but I write stories and paint), I'm inspired to go on making art.

[@coolboss999]

I can not stop jamming to "Therapy". I literally never watched the movie but the soundtrack popped up on my YT recommendations and I fell in love it with. Watched the movie and it was so good too.

[@ezelfrancisco1349]

You hit this musical right on the head. I was slightly skeptical about this movie when I heard Lin was directing this and even thought that he wrote this because he’s such a fan (he once said that before he found his own voice, his works was basically “bad Jonathan Larson impression”). I was actually surprised to learn that Jonathan himself wrote this. I was very happy that the musical embraced being a musical. It reminded me a lot of Chicago, where they would sometimes switch to the stage so they could frame the musical numbers. It’s honestly better here because the movie framed it as Jonathan’s PoV. Also, there is a lot of similarities between the themes of this movie and the themes of Hamilton, particularly about “writing like you’re running out of time”. Could be a coincidence but I think it’s worth pointing out 9/10 would recommend this musical movie

[@everausten]

I've only been to a few theatre shows, but I understood within a minute of Sunday, oh these are theatre names, that's cool. It wasn't frustrating, boring or pushing me out of the movie. It was cute, and it was a lovely song ✨🌟🌙

[@brentos96]

My wife and love musicals and theatre, but wouldn't consider ourselves to be die hard fans. We still have so much to learn, so I guess you can say that we were in the "alienated group" during Sunday. We instantly noticed Renée & Phillipa, which we kinda expected some sort of a In the Heights/Hamilton cameo because it's Lins production, but the other faces, while maybe slightly noticeable, maybe seeing their faces in passing on other youtube, TV, or internet scrolling, I was able to go "OMG! IT'S THAT PERSON!" It wasn't until after our initial viewing, I thought about that whole scene, and thinking about everyone that was involved, they all carried a kind of confidence that one would only have by being an huge star on the stage. I watched it again on youtube, before looking up the peoples names and credits, so see that yes, they aren't just extras, or performers that were hired. It was clear to see that they all had a presence about them, where even if they weren't trying to catch the audience attention, they were still doing so, in a clashing way that felt distracting. I guess that's what happens when you put mega stars all in the same scene. If you recognize them instantly, or not, they carry a confidence in their credits that it's difficult to take the number for what it's supposed to be...So yeah, I guess I did feel a bit alienated, because I had this feeling that "I should know who these people are, know their significance...but I just don't"

[@Devilofthering]

As someone who isn’t well informed of the theater world, the nods and references that are sprinkled in hadn’t distracted me in the least. Flew over my head as just a part of the setting and building the environment. While you guys were having a fanatical meltdown, I was just being entertained by the music and story.

[@benh2339]

Considering this entire musical is a meta-level commentary on/love letter to the american musical industry, including all these homages and cameos by people currently powering the creativity and talent of that industry felt incredibly appropriate and elevated the song and scene.

[@Unhappytimeaper]

As far as I know Sunday wasn’t at all breaking- as someone who never really got into musical theatre the whole aspect felt like what his dream was but even more to how he saw life as part of a stage, going back to how he saw everything as something to have inspiration. Having cameos of famous people doesn’t feel distracting, more leaning into that notion of wanting that. Wanting the people big in the industry to be like them and to work with them creating musicals, something he loved. If anything it ties to the impacts of his work and life while while something fun for more serious fans to find connections to as a fun game. I’ll say my favorite part is the reality it goes to present his struggles. The shitty apartment only made worse as he falls so deep into his works nothing become important. The idea of losing and pushing away people you love over these types of things, some come back and some don’t. The fears and how it can consume people even more as we place such an emphasis on age and needing achievements when young, being able to see the heartache it cause him. The pain of losing friends. Tick tick boom comes off so well because everything was executed in such a strong way that it’s a story you feel connected to and you can tell people involved in his life really did care for him. As I said, I’m not a huge musical theater fans and probably never will be but everything about who he was and his legacy deserves to commemorated and I think they all did a fantastic job

[@chericonkin6971]

As someone who is about to turn 30 and my birthday is the day after Jonathan’s. This movie resonates with me so much. I also feel like there is a countdown clock in my life and this put so many thoughts and feelings into words.

[@graceps87]

I couldn't agree more. This movie captures perfectly how some of this moments in life really feel. One of my favorites songs is Therapy and Jonathan and Caressa's crazy dance/fight, it was so relatable. Personally, I'm not mad at Sundance at all. If anything made me want to research more because I knew Lin does everything for a reason. I really really enjoyed this movie, I will probably watch it several more times.

[@zacyrocks7908]

I am a 15 yr old who always loved performing but this movie has made me realise that i should try theatre ive always kind of shunned it as something i should try but there is something about picturing yourself acting and singing with a bunch of others behind you that looks amazing and i am so happy this movie made me realise that.

[@cjfhotshot2838]

As someone who only dabbles into Musicals When I watched Tick Tick.. Boom. I was entranced throughout, Initially for Andrew, Then the world around this, Then the songs, and then Jonathan Larson himself. I'm definitely recommending it to everyone I know.

[@moreblack]

I was so happy seeing so many of Lin's friends like Robin Dejesus, Phillipa Soo, Tomas Kail, Renee Elise Goldsbery, Chris Jackson etc appear throughout the film.

[@rileywakeford8773]

My brother is only loosely into musical theatre and he actually watched Tick Tick Boom before I did. He introduced the movie to me and told me it was one of his favourite movies of the year. Sunday was one of his favourite sequences and he got some of the references but most went over his head

[@jessk187]

I loved this film. I was blown away by how well the story was able to be told through film without undermining the musical elements. The love and respect given to the material and theatre as a whole is obvious.

[@solangelolover3906]

I went into this movie not really knowing who Jon Larson was, though i love RENT. The cameos were great though i didn't know who everyone was. It was an amazing movie

[@paulnagle7017]

What a great review! You were able to articulate so many ideas I had. One thing missing - no mention of Garfield's incredible voice, which was the biggest revelation for me.

[@sherbert1321]

I didn’t know the Sunday sequence was a fan service moment for theater fans. I still enjoyed it! I was a little confused at first but that confusion was fleeting

[@Joseph.780.]

This was a great video. I loved this movie when i recently watched it but I know pretty know nothing about theatre. This video gave me new appreciation for a movie I already loved. While also doing a nice job analyzing it's amazing themes and messages. Thanks for making the video and keep up the great work :)

[@EmilynWood]

I only discovered your channel yesterday but already it has introduced me to so many great or at least interesting musicals (your video on Hadestown was so fascinating and got me into the musical). Thank you for what you do. This is good quality content. Subscribed.

[@lorriechristian7164]

Just a shout out to Stephen Sondheim who has just passed away. The inspiration to keep Jonathan Larson going is now hanging with him composing. ❤

[@stevemor165]

I was just going to sample this movie for a few minutes but it was so good I had to watch the whole thing. My only disappointment was the outdoor piano scene did not fulfill the big lead up. Since I love Rent, I loved hearing the brief intro to One song Glory and the career advice he received from his agent, Judith light.

[@willgwilson948]

The cameos reminded me a lot of the original muppet movie. There are a tonnnn of cameos and in jokes. Watching with my dad had him laughing and explaining it all to me. It was a great bonding experience!

[@kateorgera5907]

A great tribute to the musical and film! I do contest your premise that Larson was responding to Disneyfication, however, considering that the Beauty and the Beast film wouldn't come out until a year after Larson's 1990 production of TTB, and the Broadway musical wouldn't change the face of 42nd Street and Broadway in general until 1994. It might make more sense that he was responding to the commercialization of Broadway from the mega musicals of the late 80s, like Phantom and Les Mis. Of course, Beauty and the Beast was my first Broadway musical as a young child, so I might be a little defensive of it

[@coyoteartist]

I think he was just using it as an example of the fact that not only was Broadway becoming Disneyfied in regards to spectacle, illusion and immersion which were very much tenants of Disney's presentation style.

[@hayleyross1207]

It's interesting though that if he was rebelling against the big box musicals (I'd said Webberfication with the likes of Cats and Phantom rather than Disney) that he had elaborate and weird ideas for Supurbia. Didn't he want all the actors to have screens on the their heads. However, what's a good artist without a little bit of self loathing 😜

[@LDBaha]

if the idea was to inspire other artist - it definitely succeeded. I finished this movie full of energy to continue working on my art

[@imscared299]

as someone who watched this movie and isn’t SUPER into musical theatre, I really enjoyed the cameos. I recognized only a few people but I could tell from the way the shots hung on the actors that they were big actors in minor roles. that’s always interesting to see and I think it really elevates the film. john marsons work had no notability and very little chance of success and now it has huge actors playing minor roles in it. rlly highlights the essence of tick tick boom in my opinion.