In the Heights

In the Heights has some fun content, and it is so nice to watch a musical in which everyone is a good singer – this is so rare for a movie musical. 

But... this is not directed well. Everything is an ensemble number, and it is as if there is no plot at all. Usnavi is supposed to realize, over the course of the film, that Washington Heights is a community and one where he belongs. This is obvious from the first sequence in the film, and the film itself seems to insist on precisely this fact in number after number. And all of them are ensemble numbers. Even Nina's beautiful number from act one becomes a busy ensemble number in Chu's film. And Nina and Benny's love song late in act two becomes a very busy dance number with special effects. It's just all so busy. 

But, listen, I love Jimmy Smits. I love Daphne Rubin-Vega. I love Marc Anthony. And I loved Gregory Diaz IV.