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The upcoming film adaptation of "In the Heights" will include a lesbian couple, a welcomed departure from the original musical.
After the success of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical hit “In the Heights”, Jon M. Chu’s brilliant adaptation could also be a huge success on the big screen as it lives up to the expectations of fans of the genre.
The story of “In The Heights” is set in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York, where the dominant population is from the Dominican Republic and therefore vibrates to the sounds of Latin music. But this neighborhood, so loved by its inhabitants, is about to disappear, victim of a gentrification policy.
Usnavi and Vanessa
The story follows different characters including the main character, Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic, the country where he was born and where his family is from.
Nina
Nina (Leslie Grace), on the other hand, is a student and the first in her family to go to university.
Vanessa (Melissa Barrera) is a promising designator whose career could propel her downtown.
And Daniela (Daphne Rubin-Vega), despite her best efforts to keep her beauty salon in the neighborhood, has had to resort to moving it to the Bronx.
What is very appreciable about the movie is certainly the fact that director Chu both respects the cultural history of the Washington Heights neighborhood while also respecting the genre of the musical, but in addition, “In the Heights” movie serves LGBTQ representation.
Carla and Daniela on the right
Whereas in the theatrical version, beauty salon owner Daniela and hairstylist Carla were just co-workers and friends, the two women have a romantic relationship in the movie that is an integral part of the fabric of the Washington Heights community, something that actress Stephanie Beatriz, who plays Carla and who identifies as a lesbian, was pleased about.
“What was so gratifying to me as a person who is queer is to see this relationship in the film be part of the fabric of the community,” Beatriz said at a press event, “and to be normal, and be happy and functioning, and part of the quilt they’ve all created. So much of this film is about where home is and who home is to you. And for Carla, Daniela is home. Wherever Daniela is, that’s where Carla feels at home.”
“In the Heights” will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York on June 9, 2021.
Unfortunately, all tickets have already been sold, but be aware that the movie is then scheduled to be released in theaters and on HBO Max on June 10, 2021.
The movie will also be released all over the world during the summer.
Here is the trailer of “In the Heights”:
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