Rent - Trailer Trailer

Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize-winning revolutionary rock opera Rent tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling to express themselves through their art and "measuring their lives in love." Against the gritty backdrop of New York's East Village, these friends strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic.

Rent's diverse and unconventional community is made up of impassioned and defiant individuals. Roger (Adam Pascal) is an aspiring songwriter who has emotionally shut down after his girlfriend's suicide. Despite his attraction, he is reluctant to start a new romance with his downstairs neighbor Mimi Marquez (Rosario Dawson), an exotic dancer struggling with "baggage of her own." Roger's roommate Mark (Anthony Rapp) is a filmmaker trying to balance art and commerce. His girlfriend Maureen (Idina Menzel), a self-indulgent performance artist recently left him for a lawyer named Joanne (Tracie Thoms).

Also part of this close-knit circle is Tom Collins (Jesse L. Martin), a professor of philosophy who, after being mugged, is rescued by his soul mate, a high-spirited, street drummer, Angel Shunard (Wilson Jermaine Heredia). Benny, (Taye Diggs), who alienated his friends after he married their landlord's daughter, has reneged on his promise to provide rent-free artist space to his bohemian friends. Once a close friend, he is now viewed as the enemy since threatening them with eviction.

Revolution Studios Presents In Association With 1492 Pictures A Tribeca Production A Chris Columbus Film Based on the musical by Jonathan Larson Rent starring Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Tracie Thoms, a Columbia Pictures release.
The film is directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by Stephen Chbosky. Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson. The producers are Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe and Michael Barnathan. Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and Lata Ryan are the executive producers. Tom Sherak is the co-executive producer. Julie Larson, sister of the late Jonathan Larson, serves as co-producer.
The director of photography is Stephen Goldblatt, ASC., BSC. The production designer is Howard Cummings. The film is edited by Richard Pearson. The costume designer is Aggie Guerard Rodgers. The choreography is by Keith Young. The vocal conductor and additional arrangements are by Tim Weil. The music supervisor is Matt Sullivan. Songs and Music produced and arranged by Rob Cavallo. Casting is by Bernard Telsey, CSA.