Directed by Jon M. Chu and based on Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical of the same name, In The Heights was arguably one of the most anticipated movies of 2021. And as is evident from its overwhelmingly positive response, it definitely lives up to the hype.
Quintessentially a musical, the film is set in New York's Washington Heights, a dominantly Dominican neighborhood where each young member harbors dreams for a better shot at life. As expected, the film earned rave reviews for its vibrant and lively soundtrack, while also putting the spotlight on rising stars like Anthony Ramos and Melissa Barrera.
Step Up 3D (2010) - Available On Hulu
Even though the first installment in the dance routines in the Step Up franchise, the film adds to the character arc of Adam G Sevani's Moose, who would become a fan-favorite character in the franchise.
It also shows the evolution of director Jon M. Chu, whose tryst with music and dance began with Step Up's second and third films, eventually culminating into In The Heights. While the latter shows his artistic maturity over the musical genre, Step Up 3D offered a glimpse into his early blockbuster experiments.
Newsies (1992) - Available On Disney+
Newsies is one of those historical musicals that bears a healthy dose of social commentary. Set in New York, the film touches upon the Newsboys' Strike of 1899, during which several newspaper delivery boys united to fight the exploitation under their bosses.
The New York setting and the socio-political aspects make for an interesting watch for those who loved In The Heights. Further, the underlying message of freedom isn't presented in a preachy manner, but rather aptly conveyed through a set of snappy songs.
West Side Story (1961) - Available On Prime Video
When it comes to musicals set in New York, West Side Story is a quintessential classic. An adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, the musical takes the route of a gangster drama. Two lovers engage in a forbidden bond despite facing opposition from their respective crime families. The ensuing story plays out with classic '60s-era melodrama and songs that have aged well over the years.
As Steven Spielberg's West Side Story remake is bound to hit theatres by the end of this year, it is bound to give some competition to In The Heights during a musical-heavy awards season. So before the remake drops, it only makes sense to get familiar with the original.
Hamilton (2020) - Available On Disney+
An obvious recommendation after In The Heights would be Lin-Manuel Miranda's magnum opus. After creating history on Broadway, the musical Hamilton was released as a Disney+ original film.
The plot deals with the life of Alexander Hamilton and his relationship with the other Founding Fathers of America. However, the subversion of this period storyline takes place with a conscious choice to cast non-white actors, along with a heavy reliance on hip-hop-influenced songs.
Rent (2005) - Available On Prime Video
Based on the musical of the same name, Chris Columbus's movie version of Rent might not match the original but still makes for a highly engaging watch. The best part is that six of the original Broadway cast reprise their roles in this story of sexuality, drugs, and the AIDS epidemic, as a few New Yorkers try finding the purpose of their life.
While fans of the Broadway version might enjoy seeing the amalgamation of its finest moments, Rent also can be watched by beginners to the modern musical genre. Yet again, the social undertones and the depiction of city life are what will draw fans of In The Heights towards Rent. Ultimately, both films are about celebrating who you are, against the odds.
Hairspray (2007) - Available On HBO Max
musical and high-school comedy with wholesome performances by Christoph Waltz, Queen Latifah, and John Travolta. Nikki Blonsky's protagonist is a teenage girl who rises above the stigma of body-shaming to sing and dance the way she wants to. And as the film is set in the 1960s, Hairspray also incorporates themes of segregation-era politics and the need for affirmative action.
So, underneath the musical merriness is a call for a greater good, stressing the need for social acceptance. In this regard, In The Heights bears a similar tone of offering hope and solidarity through the medium of instantly catchy singalong tunes.
Do The Right Thing (1989) - Available On Peacock
With the focus on Puerto Rican and Dominican communities in Washington Heights, In The Heights shows how cities like New York are a melting pot of diverse cultures. Do The Right Thing, attempts to show the nuances of such diversity in Brooklyn.
Revolving around the tensions between the Black community and the Italian-American inhabitants of the neighborhood, the film is a study of how racial inequality leads to inter-community conflict. Three decades have ed since its release, but Do The Right Thing continues to hold relevance.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) - Available On HBO Max
Based on Kevin Kwan's best-selling novel, Crazy Rich Asians centers on the romance between Rachel, a Chinese-American professor, and Nick, an uber-rich Singaporean businessman. Eager to marry each other, the latter's family serves as an obstacle, due to their reservations about the class difference between the two lovers.
While In The Heights director Jon M. Chu has been behind Hollywood blockbusters for quite some time, it's Crazy Rich Asians that proved he could helm critically-acclaimed award-winning films too. Along with the performances and the big-budget scale of it all, the film was also praised for its positive Asian-American representation.
La La Land (2016) - Available On Cinemax
La La Land is a love letter to dreamers and the "city of dreamers." As Ryan Gosling's Seb and Emma Stone's Mia wander around Los Angeles, the city in itself becomes an integral character, much like New York's role in In The Heights.
While also exploring their own creative pursuits, their romance has its highs and lows, ultimately giving way to a realistic end rather than a perfect Hollywood ending. On the surface, La La Land might seem like a musical love story, but Damien Chazelle's masterpiece is so much more. It's a human story of ambition and how it might come in the way of the purest of romantic relationships.
I'm No Longer Here (2019) - Available On Netflix
Originally released as Ya No Estoy Aquí, I'm No Longer Here is a great non-linear film that incorporates musical elements to tell the story of a young Mexican man's migration to New York after he has an altercation with the local drug cartel. In this unexpected journey, he tries to start a new life altogether and faces a cultural shift.
I'm No Longer Here can also be categorized as a coming-of-age story or a slice-of-life film. So, while, In The Heights focuses on the trials and tribulations among Latinx individuals in the Big Apple, this Netflix original offers a different perspective on the immigrant experiences in the same city.
