Nominated for Best Actor and Best Film Editing 
Jonathan Larson (Andrew Garfield) is 29 and hasn't made it big on Broadway. He has a musical that he's been working on for eight years that is finally (almost) ready for a live workshop. The only thing he's missing is one song. It's maybe sort of crucial to the entire plot but he's sure he can bang it out. No problem. Except for all his problems. He's alienated from his friends, his girlfriend (Alexandra Shipp) wants a commitment, his day job sucks, it's the middle of the AIDS epidemic, and he's not sure he can make it. All his hopes are pinned on this workshop catching the attention of a producer.
This is the obligatory Oscar biopic. It's based on Jonathan Larson's autobiographical musical of the same name. Very famously, Larson went on to write the musical Rent and then died shockingly young. This is like catnip to Oscar voters. But why should you see this movie?
Because it's extremely good.
It is dramatic and funny and filled with angst and heartbreak and growth and truths about art and artists. Garfield knocks himself out as Larson, singing, swimming, struggling. Vanessa Hudgens is quiet but powerful and frankly underrated. Alexandra Shipp is a goddamn star. Robin de Jesus carries the emotional weight of the film like it's a feather. And holy God are there so many cameos. The whole diner scene is like a mini Tony awards. I haven't seen a good musical in recent years that wasn't animated but this was great.
It's currently streaming on Netflix.
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