By Kayla Cheung 

The blending of cultures is something that most have seen in their lives; the fusion of foods from both global hemispheres, the cross-country mixing-and-matching of fashions, and communities built off the hard work of immigrants from all over the world, whose children grow up to know their own culture as it cooperates with that of their surroundings. In The Heights was a musical created by Lin Manuel-Miranda centered around the community of culminating cultures in Washington Heights, New York; but now, it’s a digital blockbuster produced by Miranda and Jon M. Chu. 

The movie touches on the deep-rooted nationalism of hispanic people outside of their home countries with the standout details of its set. Set design is a major component of the movie, substantiating an underlying motif of cultural symbolism. Flags lined streets and walls of shops, acting as a literal decoration but also a metaphor for the way that the community of Washington Heights’ foundation was built off the backs of immigrants from countries like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Mexico. The flags, along with artwork of characters’ respective countries, illustrate the impact that generations of history have had on the characters as they reflect on their elders’ dreams as they pertain to their own. 

Doused in lights and bright colors, the semi-aquatic dance numbers and block parties reinforce an idea of togetherness. That being, all of Washington Heights not only knows each other, but sees the damage to one person’s life as a hindrance to their own success. Their movement as a group is a way of conveying to viewers the connection between people and their collective goal of progress. However, their view on progress is different from that of their gentrification-loving fellow New Yorkers. 

In The Heights sees progress as a way to accent tradition and propel it forward. 

Physical displays of hispanidad are important to the overall themes of the story in that people power themselves through hardships imposed on them by people and institutions outside of their community with the idea that their elders did the same for them. With characters like Nina Rosario (Leslie Grace), Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), and Daniela (Daphne Rubin-Vega), viewers see the dreams of generations manifest in a fashion not often seen on screen—realistically. 

What makes In The Heights so special is not just its music but the way that it reflects on life for immigrants in the United States, giving insight into the separation which communities other than Washington Heights try to force onto racial and ethnic minorities. It tells the full story of life in and from a place like Washington Heights and poses as a place which people can relate to. 

Even with it’s waving flags and perfectly clear water, In The Heights doesn’t take the route of idealizing life within a close knit community and instead juxtaposes the beauty with realism.