A cinematic event where the streets are made of music and little dreams become big. A film by Jon M. Chu, starring Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Marc Anthony, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, Noah Catala, and Jimmy Smits.
In The Heights
Jon M. Chu
(2021)
Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) owns a bodega in Washington Heights, a neighborhood at the northernmost tip of Manhattan. He lives with Abuela Claudia (Olga Merediz), who has raised him since he was young. He employs his young cousin Sonny (Gregory Diaz IV) to help out at the store. However, Usnavi’s dream is to return to the Dominican Republic, where he spent his childhood with his father — memories he cherishes as the happiest of his life.
A bodega is a small, owner-operated convenience store that typically sells a variety of everyday items, including groceries, snacks, beverages, and often hot or prepared foods. These stores are particularly prevalent in urban areas, especially in cities like New York, where they serve as essential community hubs for local residents. The term “bodega” originates from the Spanish word meaning “storeroom” or “wine cellar.” In New York City, it evolved to refer specifically to small grocery stores serving immigrant populations. The first bodegas in NYC emerged in the early 20th century and became particularly popular among Puerto Rican communities after World War II.
Usnavi has a crush on Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), a beautiful hairdresser who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Despite signs that she might have feelings for him too, Usnavi can’t seem to gather the courage to ask her out on a date.
Nina (Leslie Grace), daughter of taxi company owner Kevin Rosario (Jimmy Smits), returns home to a warm welcome from her community. Everyone admires her as she’s been a brilliant student since childhood and is currently attending Stanford University — the only one from the neighborhood to make it to such a prestigious school. However, she’s hiding a secret: she’s dropped out of college, unable to cope with the pressure and prejudice she faced from those around her.
One day, while Usnavi has temporarily closed his store to go swimming with Benny (Corey Hawkins), Graffiti (Noah Catala) and Sonny, he receives a phone call informing him that his store has sold a winning lottery ticket worth $96,000. They all begin to dream about what they would do with the money if they were the ones who had bought the winning ticket.
With Sonny’s help, Usnavi finally gets his date with Vanessa. However, things don’t go as planned when a neighborhood-wide blackout occurs, leading to a misunderstanding between them. This results in their first fight as a couple.
They used to say… “If you work hard and you live by the rules, the money will come, the things will come. And that, those things will complete you.” But, they won’t. We work so hard to try and get there, that we forget about what’s right here.
In The Heights explores the concept of “el sueñito” (little dreams) through the lives of Latino/Mexican immigrants, a minority group who face inequality compared to white Americans. Living together like one big family in their tight-knit community, many of them are undocumented, which prevents them from accessing higher education or securing better jobs. The story highlights how these seemingly modest dreams — whether of education, career success, or returning home — take on profound significance in a community struggling against systemic barriers.
Directed by American filmmaker Jon M. Chu, known for CRAZY RICH ASIANS, brings the beloved stage musical to vibrant life on screen. His adaptation masterfully captures the energy and spirit of the city, with spectacular choreography that takes full advantage of the film medium. The swimming pool sequence, among others, demonstrates a grand scale and realism that would be impossible to achieve in a traditional theater setting.
A dream isn’t some sparkly diamond we get. Sometimes, it’s rough. And it’s not so pretty.
“In The Heights” is a musical film packed with rich storytelling and emotional depth that leaves viewers with a sense of joy. The casting is exceptional, with every actor perfectly embodying their role — particularly standout performances from Anthony Ramos and Olga Merediz.
Every song in the soundtrack is beautifully crafted, proving worthy of the Grammy Award won by its Broadway cast recording album. The film adaptation also features several clever script modifications that enhance the story’s impact, such as the reveal of the lottery winner’s identity. These changes help make the narrative even more compelling than the stage version.
“In The Heights” is adapted from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s stage musical about the lives of people in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Miranda began writing it in 1999 while still in college, and the show had its first performance at Wesleyan University’s theater on 27 April 2000.
After the university production ended, John Buffalo Mailer, Neil Patrick Stewart, Anthony Veneziale, and Thomas Kail recognized the musical’s potential for Broadway success. American playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes joined the creative team in 2004 to help develop the show further.
John Buffalo Mailer is an American screenwriter, playwright, actor, and producer, known for founding Back House Productions and writing works like Hello Herman and American Terrorist. Neil Patrick Stewart is a notable actor and director recognized for his work in theater and television, particularly in productions like The Lion King. Anthony Veneziale is a co-founder of the improvisational theater group Freestyle Love Supreme, celebrated for blending hip-hop with comedy.
The new version of “In The Heights,” directed by Thomas Kail, premiered at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center from 23-31 July 2005. The show then moved to an off-Broadway run at the 37 Arts Theater from 8 February to 15 July 2007. This production earned nine Drama Desk Award nominations and won two: Outstanding Ensemble Performance and Outstanding Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler).
Thomas Kail was primarily known for his work in developing the musical In the Heights, which he co-created with Lin-Manuel Miranda. The project began as a student production at Wesleyan University, where Kail and Miranda first collaborated. Their partnership continued as they refined the show, leading to its Off-Broadway debut in 2007 and subsequent Broadway success, which would earn Kail significant acclaim in later years.
In the Heights officially opened on Broadway on 9 March 2008, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. The musical’s cast recording was released on 3 June, and it won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in 2009.
The Broadway production received 13 nominations at the 62nd Tony Awards in 2008 and won five awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler), Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman), and Best Sound Design (Acme Sound Partners). The production continued its successful run until 9 January 2011, culminating in an impressive total of 1,213 performances.
In The Heights was originally scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on 26 June 2020, but it was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film finally premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on 4 June 2021. It was then released theatrically in the United States on 11 June, and was also available for streaming on HBO Max for one month.
In the Heights was released in theaters and on HBO Max as part of Warner Bros.’ strategy to release films simultaneously in theaters and on the streaming platform. This dual release model is designed to maximize audience reach during a time when many people are still hesitant to return to cinemas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film will be available for streaming for 31 days, after which it will be removed from HBO Max until its later home media release.
