In The Heights

We went to the cinema to see In The Heights. I loved it! Here are just some of the reasons why.

Genesis

You get to see the genesis of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s later musical Hamilton in the rhythms and cadences and some of the tunes of this earlier musical, like the workings pages of a maths exam, or up-cycling clothing or furniture. (I loved this, but Jo was disappointed by the extent of recycling.)

Place

The push-pull of place on our heart, and the recognition that for some of us, our hearts are caught between the push-pull of two different places. And, of course, that push-pull is connected to family history, past, present and future. Place is only ever loaned to us, to tend and then hand on. There is something here about loving place—with the joy and pain that comes with that—and the key to entering deeper into love of place is appreciating its unique street-noise musicality: “Let me listen to my block.”

Skin

Young women have beautiful bodies. Young men have beautiful bodies. Older men and women have more substantial, complex, interesting, storied, weathered, accommodating bodies—and souls. And the most beautiful feature of every human being is their eyes.

Colour

There has been some controversy around this film, that a predominantly light-skinned Hispanic cast and extras should (mis)represent a predominantly dark-skinned Hispanic neighbourhood. Whereas casting Black, Hispanic and Asian actors to play White characters in Hamilton invites us to think about race, whitewashing a community takes a back-step. What I value here is that LMM has responded with grace, not defensiveness, and promised to do better next time. He has done well, and can do better. We all can. ‘It is the little details that tell the world we are not invisible.’

Generations

Children, younger cousins, surrogate grandmothers. The at-times difficult relationship between parent and adult child. The messy creativity with which chance and necessity and ingenuity and love form family bonds. The raw materials of life, community. The relationship between In The Heights and Hamilton. A homage to love, made with love. The themes of responsibility for, and accountability to, each other, explored with sensitivity.

Dignity

It is in the little things, attending to detail with great love, that we assert our dignity, and the dignity of others.

Friendship

A joy to see LMM cast Anthony Ramos and Christopher Jackson again.