Tick, Tick… BOOM!
Netflix released a film adaptation of the musical play Tick, Tick… BOOM! and the life events of the talented Jonathan Larson that created it. Linda Manuel Miranda directed this film and cast Andrew Garfield to portray the story of Larson.
Fear of Failure
The musical focuses on the struggles of not accomplishing one’s dreams while growing up, specifically before turning thirty and highlights such struggles through its characters dialogues and songs.
It mentions the fear of running out of time to redeem one’s self and making a career out of their dreams. And the struggles are indicated in the film by lines such as “There is no enough time. Or maybe I’m just wasting my time.”, “Fear or love?”, “The time is flying, and everything is dying. I thought by now I’d have a dog, a kid, a wife.”, and “Time keeps ticking”.
The film also sheds light on the impact that such a fear may have on the persons’ daily life and relationships. “And she says I want you to come with me.” “What did you say?” “I said “oh?” What am I supposed to say? I don’t know what to say. I mean, like I can’t leave. I can’t leave New York!”. It’s lines like these which shows Larson’s character struggling in balancing between his dreams and personal life.
The Clock Is Ticking
Time is obviously a major aspect of the musical itself and to represent its importance in the film there were a lot of illustrations of it through the medium of messages and key points. They exhibited the character undergoing a constant challenge of facing deadlines and his never-ending encounters with the remerging question that Larson asks himself whether he should continue going after his goal or not, “Johnny has no guide. Johnny wants to hide. Can he make his remark if he gives up his spark? Johnny can’t decide.”, as well as the sound of ticking whenever tension builds up.
Overall Tick, Tick… BOOM! is a great representation of Anthony Tommasini’s quote, “It’s not how many years you live. But how you fulfill the time you spend here”. And if you’re an individual that enjoys musicals or biography films maybe you should check this one out!
I’m going to give Tick, Tick… BOOM! a watch after reading this. I love how it portrays the fear of failure since many people go through it at many ages, so it has a huge audience.
This was such an interesting read, I’m going to add the movie to my list right now! I recall reading reviews over the movie, Tick, Tick… BOOM! and all I heard was positive feedback so I will definitely check it out soon.
This film has been on my list since it came out, but reading your entry made me want to watch it ASAP. I feel like its interesting how if, personally, I was 29 I wouldn’t feel all of this but hitting 30 would be kind of a wakeup call, you don’t take action until you feel its too late.
Thank you, Marwa.
Adding a few questions here that classmates could use in discussion:
1. What does time mean for you? Do you first think of short term time (this hour, day, week) or long term (college, job, plans)? Do you think of it in terms of units and accounting (time gained, time wasted)? Or in more abstract terms of life and life stages?
2. Do you think that having life goals are helpful? Or limiting? Encouraging or pressuring?
Note: The film’s protagonist is the real-life writer of the Broadway hit musical, Rent. Have any of you seen that play? – it’s also a movie. Time is a key motif there as well. One of the play’s most famous songs, “Seasons of Love,” begins:
525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes – how do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes – how do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? How about love? How about love?
Measure in love. Seasons of love.
I absolutely look forward to watching this film! In terms of the meaning of time, I sort of look at it in an abstract manner since I tie time back to my family because I enjoy their company. Living at the campus dorms definitely altered my perception of time, but I view it as a stage of my life where I must endure and exceed.
This is the first time I have ever heard or seen anything like this movie! The way you explained it really did persuade me to add it in my list on Netflix, especially because it talks about time. I already know that this would be worth my time because come on Andrew Garfield?? One of my favorite actors ever! I can’t wait to watch it.