Ignoring the song and dance for a moment, I found the story to be about as predictable as a child’s fairy tale, and in a way that’s how the story is presented as the movie opens with the main character telling the story to a small group of children.
However, as predictable as it is, it still feels real. Sometimes too real.
What is especially impressive is how the writer — Lin-Manuel Miranda — managed to tell the story without dragging it through the slim of politics, especially considering that this movie should have been out last year. “Dreamer” is only mentioned a few times and there is only one very short scene at a rally. It takes real talent to tell a story so wrapped up in politics without actually talking about the politics.
The World's Most Indispensable Movie App

Download the RunPee app for free:
Read more about the RunPee app.
I am not a song and dance kinda guy. Wish I was, but it’s not in my blood. (I blame it on the 5% Neandertal.) I only say this because I don’t feel I’m a good judge of what counts as quality in this genre. All I can say is I enjoyed most of the song/dance scenes. Only a few of them felt like they dragged on too long. Most impressive was the singing. The actors they chose have amazing voices.
Grade: B+
About The Peetimes: I have three good Peetimes that are nicely spaced. I recommend the 2nd Peetime since it’s mostly a dinner party and the only singing is to a record playing.
There are extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of In the Heights. (What we mean by Anything Extra.)
Rated: | (PG-13) Suggestive References|Some Language |
Genres: | Drama, Musical, Romance |
Starring: | Stephanie Beatriz, Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana Greenblatt |
Director: | Jon M. Chu |
Writer(s): | Quiara Alegría Hudes (screenplay by), Quiara Alegría Hudes (based on the musical stage play, book by), Lin-Manuel Miranda (based on the musical stage play, concept by) |
Language: | English, Spanish |
Country: | USA |
Don’t miss your favorite movie moments because you have to pee or need a snack. Use the RunPee app (Androidor iPhone) when you go to the movies. We have Peetimes for all wide release films every week, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume III, Super Mario Bros. Movie, and coming soon Fast X, and The Little Mermaid 2023. We have literally thousands of Peetimes—from classic movies through today's blockbusters. You can also keep up with movie news and reviews on our blog, or by following us on Twitter @RunPee. If there's a new film out there, we've got your bladder covered.
Creator and developer of the RunPee app. When something doesn’t work right in the app it’s pretty much his fault. 🙂
Aspiring author. Would like to finish his “Zombie Revelations” trilogy if he could break away for working on RunPee and the cottage he’s building for RunPee Mom.
Jill Florio Administrator
Was it kind of like Glee? I think I remember you liked that show, but it might have been from the cracked-out humor of the first season.
Susanne
About an hour too long! I wanted to really like it. I love musicals! And Lin Man is a beast! But I found myself looking at my watch wondering when we were going to ‘move along’. I think you were generous with your poll grading. We can’t always agree 🙂
Dan Gardner Administrator
Yeah, I can understand that. I watched it from home on HBO Max and was looking forward to it wrapping up.