I was obsessed with Hamilton before I heard In the Heights for the first time. I didn’t think it would match, but it was very surprising when I realized it could match – and pass it. In the Heights sang about a life that I knew, not necessarily my life, but one that I could make appearances in. I’ve been patiently waiting for this film to be released. Seeing the trailer on a big screen moved me to tears, so I was almost positive that I would have the same reaction to the finished film. While I didn’t get the chance to see it on the big screen yet, I cried excessively. It was everything I thought it would be but also filled with surprises that I eventually welcomed with open arms.
After the success of Crazy Rich Asians and learning that Jon M. Chu would direct In the Heights, my anticipation only grew stronger. It was clear that Chu would expertly direct a film about a specific POV while having it be extremely universal, and he would do so with the kindest and sweetest hands. His first film was Step Up 2: The Streets, which meant he knew how to shoot choreography. Giving Anthony Ramos to star as the lead following his turn in Hamilton and Monsters and Men, it felt as if it was a match made in heaven.
In the Heights is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Broadway production, which eventually went on to win the Tony for Best Musical. It follows Usnavi who runs a bodega in Washington Heights, with his cousin Sonny. The customers that walk into the store aren’t just customers, but they’re his neighbors, his crush, his friends, and his family. At least the closest thing to family he has left.
Many people have heard the story before, but Lin grew up listening to cast albums to all the Broadway productions. It was what his Puerto Rican parents played for him since they couldn’t afford tickets to Broadway. Lin knew he wanted to be on stage and perform, but because he heard all the classics, he knew there was no place for him to be himself on stage, unless he wanted to be portrayed negatively as a gang member, so he ended up writing a musical where he could see himself, and the people he knew. And with that sentiment, he ended up writing a musical where I saw myself and my family.
Born and raised in Toronto, with a Spanish name that leaves more people unable to say it properly, so I’ve allowed them to butcher my name. Soon after the Chilean coup of 1973, my parents separately came to Canada from Chile when they were both 12, unaware of each other but in a long complicated way, we were always connected. They would meet in high school, have a long on-and-off relationship that included having my older brother, and myself. When they arrived in Canada, they were mocked and ridiculed for not knowing the language, so when I was growing up, I was taught English first. I still don’t know how to speak Spanish. My brain can’t conjugate words fast enough, and it’s one of the reasons why I have trouble connecting to my grandparents who never fully learned English. Growing up, as teachers and friends started adding letters to my name, I had friends who came from other Spanish-speaking countries from South America tell me that I’m not “really a Latino” or “Spanish enough.” I never claimed myself as a Chileno, I always said Canadian, until I listened to In the Heights.
Listening to the musical as much as I have, I was ready to poorly sing & rap along in English and Spanish, but to my surprise, there were a substantial amount of changes. Some made me laugh and realize how clever it was. Some of the changes, specifically to Sonny’s character (who always was a favourite of mine) made him a standout character. When the first trailer was released in 2019, there was a line that mentioned the dreamers. It was around then that they spoke about how the film would be tackling this subject matter. It was during one sequence in which Sonny is revealed to be undocumented when my heart broke. It took Sonny from being a great comedic side-character and gave him the purpose he expertly and passionately raps about constantly. A few other changes took me out a bit, but mostly it was a biased moment because it was one of my (many) favourite songs and I wasn’t sure which direction they were going, so I couldn’t properly sing along. After some time removed, I felt at peace with the changes, as it took away a lot of unnecessary cruelty or meanness amongst the characters.
During “96,000”, one line revolving around a man who shall-not-be-named is changed, while also Graffiti Pete never brings up his phone book, but instead, he name drops Obi-Wan. Lin and Quiara Alegría Hudes (who wrote the book for the original musical) removed some of the fighting and battles within the community, but instead, they kept the barrio as a safe haven, before gentrification rears their ugly face. It built the community up even more. In retrospect, if the film came out last year when it was initially intended, it would hit a specific moment in the world in which, thanks to a now out-of-office President, looked down on immigrants even more than they usually do. Swapping to a 2021 release date makes the viewer miss the community we haven’t been able to see and celebrate with. For me, it makes me miss the family dinners with a minimum of 20 people attending. Filled with arguing, cheering, and reminiscing.
When I find a way to see In the Heights on the big screen, I won’t be able to see myself, because I’ve never felt “Latino enough”, but I’ll be able to see the people I love. My abuela is the neighborhood abuela that raised and taught so many other kids, the dance parties are the ones I always sat out from while watching my parents and cousins participate. Having them attempt to call me over, but never got out of my seat out of fear at the idea of everyone realizing how much I don’t fit in. The horns that are in every beautiful track aren’t what I usually listen to, but I see my uncle’s trying to teach me how to dance by moving our hips. In the Heights is a movie for every Hispanic and Spanish person I’ve encountered, and I can’t wait for them to laugh, cry, and dance because of it.
In the Heights is everything I’ve been dreaming and hoping for since that initial trailer. It’s filled with hope, love, and a whole lot of life. It reminds us of the musicals where every song had a big dance number. The sets and visuals are ones you wish you can live inside. Alice Brooks shot the film beautifully. Most importantly, it’s going to mean a lot to many people, I’m going to love watching the responses and reactions roll in.
