The Mimi Question (WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILER!)

[Taka]

Should she have died at the end?


I ask this for a reason: there have been complaints that in the opera that "Rent" is based on "La Boehme", Mimi dies, and that the musical isn't being true to the original opera by not killing off Mimi.



I personally agree with them, not because of the whole "It happened in the opera, so it *has* to happen in the musical!" thing. I agree because the ending of "Rent" is very, very cheesy, what with Mimi coming back to life and saying that she saw Angel and that he beckoned her to stay alive. What monkey crud.


So, what does the rest of the jury think?

[PhAnToMeSs07]

Well, you make a good point and it's even truthful to say that it does not follow the real Opera but I have to say that I agree with the way it ended.

There were reasons it ended the way it did. Rent has a lot of controversial issues in it and AIDS of course is the epidemic in the movie. Half of the main characters are dying from it, Angel actually dies from it. By making Mimi survive, a sense of hope is restored whereas if she would have died, it would have left you crying and completely shattered due to the ending. I have read La Boheme and it is very sad and depressing to me. As they said in the commentary on the DVD, Columbus, the director, said he didn't want you to watch it and be emotionally drained and strung out. He wanted that reinforcement just as Jonathan Larson did of hope. The movie is suppose to end with life not death just like the original play does.

I also think that making the play end with life and not death is a real tribute to Jonathan Larson. I mean he died, but he lives on through his magnificent work. That sense of life also gives many people a sense of comfort and it eases the brain when watching the movie, which is emotionally high strung and powerful.

Last, even though she comes back to life, it is suppose to be understood that she is still very close to death and that she probably doesn't have more than a week. You've heard of people dying....you know, flatlining and then coming back with full strength but then dying a few days later. Well, that is the unspoken diagnosis for Mimi at the end of the movie. And even though the audience may know this, it's easier to deal with the ending because at least we know her and Roger make up and she pretty much gets to properly say goodbye to everyone. Sorry for rambling on...but it's a great question Tanya and i can't believe no one has asked it before.

The Queen of Hearts

[Taka]

Thanks. That explains alot.

[masquerading rose]

Ran,

I couldn't have said it better! I just watched it all with commentay. And I remeber Colombus saying that he wanted it to end in hope. Personally, I agree. I was devestated whrn Angel died, and I'm sure so many also were. Angel had only died about thirty minuets ago on the movie. Killing off Mimi would have made so many people whole-heartedly depressed and it does give all of the other characters hope that they can live and they they will always have each other instead of having to watch each other die one-by-one.
Am I rambling?

[Victoria]

Yes you are, no I'm kidding :D

I agree with Taka, it was pretty unrealistic and it would have added more drama if she had died.

The depression of the story would have increased but let's think of Phantom right? I mean he didn't end up with the girl of his dreams, it wouldn't have hurt to have her die so much

As always, my two cents

[maskedsinger]

I say that because they are following the opera they cannot make every detail true. think of a book being turned into a tv show. the producers cannot make the show exactly like the book...copyright reasons. i think the way it ended was fine and that it still relates to La Bohéme even if there are some slight differences.

[Hidden Away]

Yes you are, no I'm kidding :D

I agree with Taka, it was pretty unrealistic and it would have added more drama if she had died.

The depression of the story would have increased but let's think of Phantom right? I mean he didn't end up with the girl of his dreams, it wouldn't have hurt to have her die so much

As always, my two cents

Unrealistic, but better ending. Think about, main character dies...everyone is depressed. Let's face it, people grow close to the main characters even before the first act. Everyone at that points is crying because Mimi is sick and was dying. Everyone feels cruddy for Roger b/c he was all teary teary when she 'died' for that moment or two!

Well just as you say, Viki (is that alright if I call you that?) the reason Phantom of the Opera is so depressing is b/c well, you know that someone would be crushed in the end. Despite some *cough* viewers POV of Raoul as not being so bias, it would have just caused more devastation than depression. Depending on the person, you'd find your own opi., as it develops on its own. My personal feelings for Mimi to relive is honestly the best thing for this century. Since the 21st century is suffering from STDs and AIDS, it's a much better ending. I mean imagine! You have AIDS and you just wanted to see RENT without knowing the ending and no one warned you, you watch it (with the dead ending), and then you feel completely hopeless!

[The Countess]

I don't think that she should have died. Although in the opera, Mimi is supposed to die, it wouldn't fit with the movie. The movie/musical is about stregnth, hope, and love. If you killed someone in the end like that, it would shatter the story's true meaning.

[Hidden Away]

Thank you Viktoria! I really does sorta kill the ending. I wish people could see life more positively opposed to concentrating on death. It's good to know that it exists but to think that it's the only thing in life is very sad...not to mention unhealthy.