As you probably have read in my review of Hamilton, it has been a movie which has managed to take a hold of me. I still can’t get enough of it, even weeks later. And the great thing is that this musical is already five years old and if you want to know more there is a real treasure trove of material you can get lost in. While reading the Wikipedia page I saw that a TV documentary, called Hamilton’s America had been made. A quick search on YouTube immediately made it available. Did this one and a half hour movie manage to further scratch my Hamilton itch?
The great thing about this documentary is that filming of Lin-Manuel Miranda already started before the success of the play. So you can see him developing it. How the idea of a mixtape slowly turned into something else, the personal situation he was in moving house and becoming a father, Miranda’s inspirations and how it all came together. But the documentary is more than that.
It has interviews met Obama, Bush, various artists (The Roots, Nas), historians and big names within the world of theater. Besides this both Miranda, as a part of the cast visit various historical places which also have something to do with the musical. A moment that stood out, especially in the light of recent discussion about the past, is the moment during which Chris Jackson visits George Washington’s house and is looking at the place where his slaves lived. He tells how awful it is and something he will never have peace with. This shows the complete truth of who this man was. Daveed Diggs also makes clear that each thing has its good and bad sides and that you shouldn’t separate them. Even though he doesn’t like the lyrics of some rappers, he can at the same time also appreciate how good someone is as an MC.
Hamilton’s America is a great documentary to watch after seeing the play on Disney+ and learn more about how it came to be and the real history that formed the basis for it. It fed my Hamilton obsession even more.
[score8]