If you've always wondered what all the fuss was about....GO SEE THIS FILM. I'm a huge RENT fan, I have seen the show live on Broadway on a number of occasions, as well as seeing a # of touring companies. I saw the movie in the Ziegfield in NYC when it was released! That said, I was thoroughly impressed with this movie. It was extremely well done, the close-ups were amazing and the characters were spot-on! I'm sad that I didn't get to see it live one last time, but I think that this production was able to convey the emotion in a way that (unfortunately) the movie was not. We all know the music is amazing...but to really "get" this show...you've got to have a connection. And, these guys made that happen.