Rent
(DVD)

Based on the musical book music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson.

Originally released as a motion picture in 2005.

Special features: Commentary by director Chris Columbus and selected cast.

Director of photography, Stephen Goldblatt ; art directors, Keith P. Cunningham, Nanci Noblett ; editor, Richard Pearson ; original music, Jonathan Larson ; costume designer, Aggie Guerard Rodgers ; production designer, Howard Cummings.

Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Tracie Thoms, Taye Diggs.

Focuses on the year in the life of a group of friends in New York's East Village. The "bohemians" live carefree lives of art, music, sex, and drugs. It is carefree until Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, and Roger, an aspiring songwriter, find out they owe a year's rent to Benny. Benny is a former friend who had promised them free rent when he married the landlord's daughter. Roger has also attracted the attention of his downstairs neighbor, Mimi. Mark's former girlfriend, Maureen, has found a new romance in a lawyer named Joanne. Philosophy professor Tom finds his soul mate in drag queen Angel. With this being the late 1980s, the threat of AIDS is always present.

MPAA rating: PG-13; for mature thematic material involving drugs and sexuality, and for some strong language.

DVD, region 1, widescreen (2.40:1) presentation.

Dialogue in English (5.1 Dolby Digital) or French (5.1 Dolby Digital) with optional subtitles in English or French; closed-captioned.