Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
The story of Usnavi, a bodega owner who has mixed feelings about closing his store and retiring to the Dominican Republic or staying in Washington Heights.
In the Heights is a vibrant, visually inventive adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical. Jon M. Chu's direction delivers genuinely spectacular cinematography — the poolside number and aerial choreography sequences are among the most visually ambitious in recent Hollywood musicals, earning a well-above-average mark. The plot is serviceable but somewhat sprawling, juggling multiple storylines (Usnavi, Nina, Benny, Vanessa) with uneven emotional payoff, landing it at above average but not exceptional. The ensemble acting is energetic and committed, though few individual performances truly stand out beyond Anthony Ramos's earnest lead work. Novelty is solid — the film's celebration of Latinx culture and Washington Heights community gives it a distinct cultural voice, and the musical sequences show real creative ambition, though it remains grounded in familiar musical-theatre conventions. The ending resolves the central dilemma satisfyingly if somewhat predictably, wrapping the community threads with warmth but little surprise.