Tick, Tick... Boom! - A Netflix Movie Review

Someday is a pretty good start. Never let go of your dreams.

Tick, Tick... Boom! arrived onstage to Netflix in 2021. Based on the life of the late Jonathan Larson, the young performer is on the verge of turning 30. If he is going to conquer his dreams at a reasonable timeframe, Jonathan juggles between love, friendship, and his budding career.

Tick, Tick... Boom! is the right film to begin a new year with. I am very surprised that I’ve never followed the life of Jonathan Larson. This film really makes you think. Keep living life and never forget to live in the moment.

Before filming began, Andrew Garfield had no singing experience. He trained to perform all the song numbers shown on film. Garfield deserves his nomination for best actor. He delivered pure emotion, integrity, and the lively spirit of Larson.

His song number in the park brought tears to my eyes. It was bold and genuine. Jonathan Larson’s energetic and inspiring motivation is a proud detail. He achieved so much in all of his incredible hard work for the theater world.

Portraying significant people from Larson’s life, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesus, Vanessa Hudgens, Joshua Henry, Jonathan Marc Sherman, and Michaela Jae (MJ) Rodriguez were outstanding. The best character award goes to Judith Light as a quirky talent agent. Bradley Whitford plays a significant icon who has made an impact across Broadway.

Friendship and relationships are notable themes in Tick, Tick... Boom! While we all want to find love, it is vital to understand the power of friendships. The friendship between Jonathan and Michael (de Jesus) made me smile.

Lin Manuel-Miranda succeeded in his directorial debut. Paying respect to the life of a motivated person, Manuel-Miranda focused highly on the songs, choreography, and enlightening message. I like how the visuals gradually change from lively colors to darkness.

The musical numbers were terrific. Rehearsed well, each one was different. I especially enjoyed the song number with the word graphics appearing on-screen when Larson is swimming in the pool.

The central focus in Tick, Tick... Boom! is your career. Finding your career and sticking with it is tough. We’re going to get rejected, get laughed at, and face bad reviews. What you should never do is give up. Keep doing what you love. Write down goals and start. If not now, don’t forget about them.

Nobody ever knows what’s going to happen in life. It’s scary and exciting at the same time. We cannot let our passions overtake our lives. Keep living life. Make time for friends, family, and relationships. Step away from your passions to let yourself refuel.

Watching Tick, Tick... Boom! made me feel motivated about all my goals. Life gets busy. As a writer, the wheels in my head are always turning. Thanks to Larson’s words, I am going to keep creating. Spend time doing what you love and we can achieve our goals. Keep going.

What we are going to do with our lives is a big question. My favorite part about this film is that everyone in the cast was having a fun time. That’s the best part of any film - especially theater. Continue to wear a mask so we can keep bringing the magic of theater into the world.

You have to take a look at Tick, Tick... Boom! on Netflix. I wish it the best during awards season. The film is reflective and it helps you connect with your inner goals. Every performer and writer should watch this film no matter where they are in their career.