Have you seen Rent? Mac & I have seen it 3 times in the past month, with various members of our family.
I've heard said, "Oh, that's a movie about gay people."
No, it's not. It's a movie about friendship. Some of the friends happen to be gay, and some happen to have AIDS, but mostly it's a story that takes place during one year in the life of a group of struggling Bohemian friends in 1989 New York.
I believe everyone should see this movie. Unfortunately, there are legions of people out there who will be turned off by the musical-ness (and gay-ness) of it and barely make it past opening credits. This is a shame because it's a story that gives voice to people who are "different" and makes the plight of these characters more personal. Ironically, most of those who won't watch it are people who need the humanity lesson the most.
Rent is also a history lesson for those who are too young to remember the initial devastation of the AIDS Epidemic. Back when the life expectancy for an AIDS patient was only a few years and AZT was the only treatment available. Back when some people were watching their friends, disowned by their families, waste away and die right before their eyes. For today's kids, AIDS is a small part of their STD section of Sex Ed., undistinguished from syphilis and gonorrhea. Rent illustrates more of the history.
I'm sure there are a few out there who would take issue with me for encouraging my 11-year-old watch it. But A) I don't care, and 2) I believe in raising informed, compassionate, tolerant, well-rounded children. I don't believe that watching drug use or gay couples will encourage her to start using crack or become gay. In the end, the lesson she took away from this movie is that Everyone needs love and friendship and understanding, and not that it's a Handbook To the Underworld.
And, it's got a kickin' soundtrack.
3 comments:
Amen my sister friend!
Bec.
Another page for the book of Fine Parenting by Paige. Well informed, well rounded, compassionate children. We could use more of those.
my daughter and i just watched it a week ago together for the first time. i'd seen the play but she hadn't but her chorus group had sung the 3 thousand 600 minutes (or whatever the freak) song last year so she was DYING to watch it. i didn't really prep her for it because i wanted her to make her own completely unswayed opinion of the content. she loved it. she wants everyone to see it because it 'is a movie about love and friends and caring about each other.' ya. she rocks.
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