“tick, tick… BOOM!” showcases a playwright’s effort to devote to his craft while dealing with the struggles of an average New Yorker.
Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, “tick, tick… BOOM!” has playwright Jonathan Larson, creator of this musical as well as “Rent,” narrating the week before his 30th birthday in 1990.
At this time, Larson was paranoid because unlike other famous playwrights, Larson had not yet hit his big break and had one of his musicals on Broadway before he was in his thirties.
Larson had spent the last five years writing a sci-fi rock musical called “Superbia,” and if the workshop showcase for it went well, he could possibly get producers interested and start sending him money to fund it.
All he has left to do to finish it is to write a song for one of the main characters to act as the climax of the second act.
Meanwhile, Larson’s girlfriend Susan is persistently trying to find time to talk to Larson about a new job opportunity that would have her move away, but Larson keeps avoiding it, using the excuse of writing the song as a way to avoid a tough decision.
Larson’s former roommate and life-long best friend Michael, who also had a dream of reaching Broadway fame, decided to pursue a career in marketing instead. Giving up on his dream forced him to have a run-of-the-mill job, but allowed him to enjoy a nice penthouse apartment and nice car.
Larson, with a very severe case of writer’s block, is constantly being urged by Michael to drop this endeavor and try to make something of himself in a more fruitful career with no more economic strain. Larson ignores him because he feels this upcoming showcase could be the final push he needs to finally reach success in his writing career.
As the days start getting closer and closer to the workshop and Larson’s 30th birthday, time seems to be ticking at a roaring pace, as if it were a time bomb about to go off.
Larson will have to finish this song and do whatever he can to improve his musical, even if it costs his relationship, his friendships, mental health or ability to keep the power on.
Andrew Garfield (“The Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Social Network”) perfectly fits the dynamic and charming energy of Jonathan Larson. He even took a year of singing lessons and learned piano in preparation for such a vocally demanding role, and that newfound musical talent shines in each of his songs.
Creator of the musicals “In the Heights” and “Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda made his directorial debut with this film and used his past experience with Broadway to his advantage. Each of the musical numbers are creatively choreographed and set in unique locations.
Although the side characters are played by lesser-known actors, their struggles and relationships with Larson are very developed and have just as much impact on the audience as the main character does.
“tick, tick… BOOM!” stands out, compared to other musicals with the same usual formula, with fast pacing and dynamic world building that use songs to progress the story, while letting viewers inside of the complex mind of Jonathan Larson.
“tick, tick… BOOM!” is only available to watch on Netflix.