What's "Real"?

We are all probably guilty of watching television, listening to music, and reading to some extent. We take part in these activities for different reasons such as entertainment, consolation, and sometimes just to learn or gain information about certain things. While we might like to watch, read, and listen to a wide variety of shows, books, and artists, we typically pick favorites that we stick with throughout the years. Why is this?


Well, as far as I'm concerned, my favorite movies, TV programs, artists, and pieces of literature all depict a story that I can somehow relate to. I like stories that are real to me and can evoke some kind of emotional response from me. An example of a media form that I consider to be real is Rent, (the movie).

This movie, (originally based on the broadway musical), follows the lives of eight friends living in Alphabet City, New York in 1989. The movie deals with numerous world-wide issues including poverty, disease, and sexuality. However, it's central focus is on the idea of living the bohemian lifestyle. I suppose it's the idea of bohemia that draws me so close to this story. Personally, I think it would be amazing to care so much about creativity and artistry that you would have the will power to give up all your money to support the cause of helping others and being happy in everything you do. I also love that the characters never conform to what society wants them to be. I can only hope that I will learn to be that brave someday. The characters are not without problems, though. They're so poor that they can't even afford rent and are being evicted from their apartments. A number of the main characters are also effected by the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS of the 80s. The conflicts of poverty and disease are the aspects of the movie that make it really appear real to me. I'm a poor college kid. I understand being broke. And, as far as the whole disease thing goes, I've been there, too. Not personally, but one of my friends was diagnosed with HIV a few years ago. It's a terrible disease to watch someone battle and I hope that there will be a cure for it someday. Rent is such an inspiring story to me because, despite all of their hardships, the characters make the best of everything that they can and never complain. They all learn to "measure their life love", as the song goes, rather than measuring their worth in money or material possessions.