In the Heights is a musical drama film directed by Jon M. Chu and released by Warner Bros. Pictures on June 11, 2021. Based on the Broadway play by Quiara Alegria Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the movie tells the story of a group of young immigrant friends living in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. With a mix of catchy songs and impressive dance numbers, the film inspires audiences to hold on to their dreams, hope for the future, and never forget where they come from.
Synopsis
The film opens with Usnavi de la Vega, the owner of a local bodega, telling a story to a group of neighborhood children about his life in Washington Heights. The story flashes back to ten years ago when Usnavi ran the bodega with his cousin Sonny. He introduces the audience to the Latin immigrant community that makes up the majority of the area’s residents.
Usnavi receives news from Alejandro, a lawyer and friend of his deceased father, that his father’s business in the Dominican Republic is up for sale. Usnavi dreams of returning to his homeland and rebuilding his father’s business, which has always been his ultimate goal.
Meanwhile, Nina returns from Stanford and informs her father, Kevin, that her tuition payments are overdue. Kevin promises to pay off her debts, but when Nina confides in her friend Vanessa that she’s considering dropping out of college due to discrimination, things become more complicated.
Vanessa, a hairdresser, visits an office downtown to try to rent space for her own business but is denied because she doesn’t have a guarantor. At Usnavi’s store, which Vanessa secretly visits when she needs a break from work, she’s invited by Usnavi (through Sonny) to an event.
The neighborhood comes together at the local swimming pool to await the announcement of the lottery winner, singing and dreaming of a brighter future. Benny, one of Kevin’s workers and Nina’s childhood friend, tries to convince Nina to continue her education.
Usnavi plans to take Sonny to the Dominican Republic but discovers that Sonny and his father are undocumented immigrants. At a dinner party, Kevin announces that he’s sold another one of his properties to pay for Nina’s tuition, which she refuses, leading to a heated argument about discrimination.
Usnavi becomes jealous when Vanessa dances with another man at a club and jumps on the dance floor to compete. Suddenly, the power goes out, leading the club-goers to spill out into the street and lighting fireworks to brighten up the dark night. Abuela, the kind-hearted matriarch of the community, lies in bed recalling her life in Kuba and her move to the United States.
The next day, Usnavi wakes up to find out that Abuela has passed away. The whole community comes together for mourning and lights candles in her honor. During a demonstration protesting the discrimination of undocumented immigrants, Sonny reflects on the fact that he’ll never be able to afford college, which moves Nina and motivates her to take action to help her community.
Usnavi asks Daniela, a friend and neighbor, to be Vanessa’s guarantor so that she can start her own business. The power suddenly returns, and the neighborhood rejoices, celebrating Daniela’s move to a new salon and Nina’s commitment to returning to college to fight for the rights of undocumented immigrants.
In the end, Usnavi discovers that Abuela’s lottery ticket was a winner—allowing him to pay for Sonny’s legal fees and save money for his own dream of returning to the Dominican Republic. Vanessa convinces Usnavi to stay in Washington Heights with their community of friends and loved ones.
Conclusion
In the Heights is a heartwarming and uplifting film that celebrates the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of a group of close-knit immigrants living in Washington Heights. The film tackles important issues such as discrimination against undocumented immigrants, the pressure on first-generation college students, and the fragile balance between achieving personal goals and staying connected to one’s roots and community.
The musical numbers are beautifully choreographed and performed, providing a vibrant and lively backdrop to the character-driven storytelling. Fans of the Broadway play will appreciate the film’s faithful adaptation, while newcomers will fall in love with the charming and relatable characters.
Overall, In the Heights is a must-see movie that will inspire viewers to keep chasing their dreams, no matter the obstacles that might lie ahead.
