Lights, camera’s, ACTION! I think it’s no surprise that once Lin Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit, “In the Heights”, touched audiences of the New York streets, He wanted to find new ways to share this iconic story internationally. In the past, Broadway-to-film movies have given us low expectations. Much more with the new downfall of Hollywood’s remakes and story quality. So when I sat in that theatre knowing what I was going to see, I won’t lie and say my expectations were mediocre.
And how wrong I was. In the Heights Film adaptation is an artistic masterpiece that celebrates unity of a small community in New York Washington heights. Whether or not you were raised in the city, Nation, or even Latino, i think this film has so much everyone can relate to. Whether it’s daily struggle, new obstacles, or little dreams.
We at Latin Family Now were given the opportunity to witness the film with our own Latino community in theatres. In this event, we were shown a panel before-film of important members of our community who influence our daily life.
This panel consisted of; Gabby Pacheco, director of Dream.US; Teresa Lee Musician/immigration activist; US congressman Joe Neguse – Colorado second district; moderator Peter L. Markowitz professor of law at the Cardozo school of law. Here they discussed important immigration topics involving the dream act, touching on the movie’s base of immigration. By the panel’s words, I agree when they say “This film should have existed 15 years ago and our lives would be much different today.” After the panel, Luis Miranda himself (father of Lin Manuel) gave a few words on the film, his son, and what we were about to experience.
The story is just as loveable as its Broadway counterpart, with some additives to characters and their stories. More was brought into light for Sonny’s story as an immigrant to bring about the involvement of the dream act. Though immigration is a large topic, this film covers so many braces that aren’t just the surface issues, but the ones we even see at home. The family issues, daily struggles, and the dreams of the entire cast as they go about sorting out their lives. Every character’s depth is outstanding, from the main cast to the simple man who sells his Piraguas up and down the street, there isn’t a single moment of this film where you grow bored. Everyone, no matter their time on-screen, has so much to tell, say, and do, behind just the dialogue. This film is a masterpiece, a celebration of culture, and a possible turn in the new era of modern film-making. Lin Manuel has, yet again, proven his worth and given audiences no reason to doubt his talent.
About the author
Gabriella Dali is a young multi talented entrepreneur whos contribution and creative ways are vital to Latin Family Now. At her young age she is one of our main contributors and her refreshing perspective of the world brings a breath of fresh air to our posts. Since she was young she has been partaking into journalist assignments and has done multiple show reviews , personality interviews, videos, production, articles and essays.
**Images copy righted and provided by movie creators.
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