REVIEW: tick, tick...BOOM!

4/5

30.

121 Mins. Starring: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, Judith Light, Bradley Whitford & Vanessa Hudgens. Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

Tick...tick. Off or on Broadway, theatre is theatre and 'Hamilton' megastar legend Lin-Manuel Miranda in his feature film debut after putting his signature stage show on Disney + gives us a love Playbill to not only the spotlight a few blocks from Times Square, but the magic of New York, New York City itself. But this movie is more than the big city and the bright lights. It's a dedication to the late, great Jonathan Larson. The creator of the musical of this same movie name 'Tick, Tick...Boom' (stylised here as 'tick, tick...BOOM!'). And it's more than just a stage left passion project for those who know the biz. Larson may have been worthy of the Tony after making 'Rent' after years of barely making his own one for his apartment, but his story could stage an Academy of Oscars by the next ceremony. All whilst going tip-for-dancing-toe with the dedicated likes of 'Dear Evan Hansen' this fall before Spielberg's 'West Side Story'. Fun fact, the playwright of 'Evan Hansen' Steven Lenson pens this one too. Giving the notes to back this mesmerizing, magical musical from Miranda that is cinematography choreography of the biggest bravo. From the behind the piano storytelling of Larson's walking across the keys memoir, to the biggest musical numbers breaking into song from the streets of New York to the grandest stage. All to get right back to the diner that moonlights as the place to keep the spotlights on. Full house ordered up with a menu filled of Broadway cameos. You recognise those faces? Isn't that Lilith from 'Frasier'? The man that bungee jumped whilst proposing to Hilary on 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' (and you know how that all worked out right?)? Well, you know they're much more than that. Check your Playbills. We're in an audience of legends as one that waited tables now holds the stage. Check please! Lin-Manuel may have changed the theatre game, but he knows how to read the dressing room of were he came from like lightbulbs surrounding the mirrors frame. 

Tick...tick. And now the portrait is on the big-screen. Or at least the Netflix one right now. Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot's 'Red Notice' may be doing the 'Squid Game' numbers. But forget the biggest opening day streams staying at home. This ones booming its way to the award season like Rebecca Hall's 'Passing' with Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson. And it's just a few ticks away around the corner. Jonathan deserves this and Andrew Garfield gives him his just and his all to this role, body and soul. Sure we know what everyone is talking about this fall with the biggest Marvel movie the mainstream has ever seen in this age of 'Endgame', as it seems the 'Eternals' won't actually last that long. It's all they want for Christmas ordered off the web. But haters...or at least those not trying to spoil the surprise (we hope) will say its Photoshop. Anyway enough of that. We ourselves have gone on about it far too much to tempt fate. Sure we want him in the verse, but how about this chapter and verse? With curly hair Dylan would be proud of and artistry for pop culture that could even shade a Warhol, Garfield's Larson is his muses passion personified. Punctuating the notes of his life script. And how about that hilarious and telling grammar moment that comes correct to a writers life like "you'rs truly" (I know. We've been here before)? An American legend working on that dream like Springsteen. All before he hits 30 like Adele this weekend. Seeing his potential as a ticking time bomb in a world that sees a 'Mission: Impossible' fuse before they self destruct. All as Larson and everyone else around him (even those who have been cruelly told about life's fickle impermanence, being diagnosed with HIV) have not even the faintest idea that the ticking is actually leading to a tragic, fatal collapse for a man who literally gave his all to his art. Andrew captures this grace and the man's soul with the upmost respect. Especially in the rain of a pivotal piano moment in the middle of a solidarity Central Park stage at night. Now the amazing American-British actor who first got our Academy attention saving everyone at 'Hacksaw Ridge' and our theatrical one for those 'Angels In America's' only Oscar competition looks like himself in 'The Eyes Of Tammy Faye' with Jessica Chastain, whose own one looks to trophy cabinet go alongside a possible Emmy for her 'Most Violent' reunion with another Oscar. 

More than a storm in this New York cup of coffee, Alexandra Shipp holds her stage as the heart of this movie. In her Lifetime the 'Straight Outta Compton' star Shipp has played the 'Princess Of R&B' Aaliyah on a TV movie and a game changing X-Men in Storm. But here just like in 'Love Simon' the actress shows she is even better at telling personal stories beyond the big budget blockbusters and names everyone knows. And again to those unfamiliar with Larson, you're about to learn about one of the best, more than behind the scenes. Offered up by a name eveyone knows on Broadway bright lights now, backed up by producers Brian Grazer and the 'Happy Days' of Ron Howard hitting the jukebox like aaayyyy. And besides not many knew the real deal P. T. Barnum of 'The Greatest Showman' until Hugh Jackman's charisma sold him. And as it turns out Barnum was more than a bit of a prick. Add the high notes and big song of Joshua Henry and fellow Broadway icon Judith Light's amazing, chain-smoking agent that could give Joey's 'Friends' like Estelle a run for her ashtray and this cast is class all the way down to the legend Bradley Whitford of 'The West Wing' and 'Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip' playing another one. All the way to the tone of a vocal cameo leaving a message. 'High School Musical' star Vanessa Hudgens is also on the stellar second-act of her career with the likes of this, 'Bad Boys For Life' with 'King Richard' about to take his Oscar throne, Will Smith and 'Rent: Live'. But for all this it's the absolutely incredible Robin de Jesús who steals this show. The star of Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'In The Heights' (the stage version) is just everything here. Beautifully heartbreaking and immovably inspiring. He's the soul of this story. And his friendship with Garfield's Larson the beating heart that moves to the rhythm like a metronome. And whilst we're here how about Garfield being king of the emotional man-hugs? Just check his one with Dane DeHaan's Harry Osborne and their own bromance in 'TASM2' and by the way, was that (we hope) Dane in th...but, we digress. We promised we would. But back to it, head on the door or Manhattan moving his way through a passionate conversation powering the booms of these ticks, Jesús is heaven sent as he turns taking the trash out in the cold to one of the hottest numbers circling the fire escape stairs of these high-rise songs that ring the alarm. Singing the praises of all the big names making their stage here, it's all for one though as the flowers hit the floor. The late, great Jonathan Larson who took his life and his dream and made it one and the same. Singing from his own song sheet. And that's a notion ticking over that will live rent free in our heads for as long as the inspiration lasts. Why take to the stage when you are the stage in this world of players. This ain't merely Shakespeare. It's New York theatre folklore. BOOM! TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Hamilton', 'Dear Evan Hansen', 'The Eyes Of Tammy Faye'.