“Many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.”

The proverb dates to the early 19th century, with English-language versions going back to the 16th century, and Latin and Greek variations found in the Second Century. Cicero posited a version in one of his letters, “Ad Atticum,” in 51 BC.

As Billy Pilgrim was wont to say in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” (1969) novel, “So it goes.”

Something was lost with the transition of “In The Heights” from stage to screen.

I didn’t see the Broadway production of “In The Heights.” I reviewed a terrific Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre production in 2016. I left the Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance, Allentown, with a spring in my step, emblematic of the afterglow of seeing an inspiring show.

The “In The Heights” movie musical? Not so much.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t see “In The Heights,” an exuberant, feel-good and pertinent movie musical directed by Jon M. Chu (director, “Crazy Rich Asians,” 2018) based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes, nominated for 13 Tony Awards and receiving four, including Best Musical in 2008. Hudes wrote the screenplay for the movie.

“In The Heights” is chock-a-block with musical numbers in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood, named for Fort Washington, a fort in upper Manhattan defended by the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

In the movie, “In The Heights,” they’re not only dancing in the streets. They’re dancing on the sides of buildings (courtesy CGI, recalling Fred Astaire in “Royal Wedding,” 1951). They’re dancing in the swimming pool. The pool scene is an homage to choreographer Busby Berkeley (1895-1976), noted for geometric synchronized dancers seen in Hollywood movie musicals (“By a Waterfall” in “Footlight Parade,” 1933).

“In The Heights” rivals and in many ways outdoes the classic movie musical, “West Side Story” (1961). It will be interesting to compare “In The Heights” with director Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” set for release Dec. 10.

“In The Heights” Choreographer Christopher Scott (choreographer, “Step Up” movies, 2014, 2012; three Primetime Emmy nominations, “So You Think You Can Dance”) takes the movie’s title literally, heightening the reality of the lead characters in dream-sequence production numbers, pas de deux hip-hop moves between main characters, and large musical numbers, especially “Carnaval del Barrio.”

As exhilarating, amazing and incredible (dancers’ individual moves and ensemble lines and steps are superb while maintaining a feeling of spontaneity) as the production numbers are with fine cinematography by Director of Photography Alice Brooks (“Dance Camp,” 2016; TV’s “The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers,” 2010-2011) and head-spinning editing by Editor Myron Kerstein (“Crazy Rich Asians”), at two hours and 23 minutes, one or two numbers could have been cut. The Heights’ residents seem to break into song and dance at the opening of an Utz potato chip bag.

Kudos to Production Design by Nelson Coates, Art Direction by Brian Goodwin and Chris Shriver, Set Decoration by Andrew Baseman and Costume Design by Mitchell Travers.

For some reason, the songs in the movie, “In The Heights,” with music by Alex Lacamoire, Lin-Manuel Miranda (score) and Bill Sherman, blend together like some kind of Miami Sound Machine (1975-1989, 1992-2000) throwback to a “Stars on 45” (1981-1987) medley. This was not my impression with the Muhlenberg stage production. I am not sure what slipped between stage and screen.

Chu, working with Brooks and Kerstein, gets up close and nostril-like for dialogue scenes. “In The Heights” is one of few contemporary films that successfully utilizes color cinematography. The film gets it right with characters’ eyes, smiles and facial gestures. The film is a joy to see.

That’s in no small part because of the excellent casting (despite MIranda’s Mea Culpa to a social media barrage over casting; one wonders how the actors in the film feel). The actors in lead roles are truly charismatic while retaining the believability of average people.

Anthony Ramos stars as Usnavi, a bodega (corner grocery store) owner. Ramos (“Hamilton,” 2020; TV’s “In Treatment,” 2021) is disarming and cheerful, balancing humorous and serious moments.

Melissa Barrera, starring opposite Ramos as his love interest Vanessa is charming and engaging.

Corey Hawkins is compelling as Benny. Hawkins (Primetime Emmy nominee, TV’s “Survive,” 2020; “Straight Outta Compton,” 2015) has a beautiful singing voice.

Leslie Grace as Nina in her theatrical movie debut also has a lovely singing voice. Her scenes with Hawkins are among the film’s most memorable.

Notable in supporting roles are Jimmy Smits (Primetime Emmy, “L.A. Law,” 1986) as Nina’s dad; Olga Merediz as Abuela Claudia, a neighbor lady (for which Merediz originated the role in the Broadway musical, receiving a Tony Award as Featured Actress; TV’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 2003-2021; “Orange Is The New Black,” 2014-2019); Gregory Diaz IV as Sonny, who works at the bodega; Noah Catala as Graffiti Pete, and Marc Anthony as Gapo, a performer.

Lin-Manuel Miranda (Pulitzer Prize for drama, “Hamilton,” 2016; “Mary Poppins Returns,” 2018) has a cameo as a Piragüero (seller of ice cones).

“In The Heights” has an inspiring song for first-generation Americans and their families: “Paciencia y Fe” (“Patience and Faith”) It’s their “sueñito” (“little dream”) in The Heights and wherever the American Dream is alive.

“In The Heights,”

MPAA PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for some language and suggestive references; Genre: Musical, Drama; Run time: 2 hrs, 23 mins. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

Stay to the very end of the credits for “In The Heights” and see a humorous scene with Lin-Manuel Miranda (Piragüero) and a Mister Softee ice cream truck operator. “In The Heights” was filmed in Washington Heights, New York City.

Movie Box Office,

June 18 - 20: “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Salma Hayek reprising their roles from “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” with Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas joining the fray, scored a hit, opening at No. 1 with $11.6 million for the weekend and $17 million since opening June 16 in 3,331 theaters, putting “A Quiet Place Part II” back to No. 2, with $9.4 million, in 3,401 theaters; $125.2 million, four weeks.

3. “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” moved up one place, $6.1 million, in 3,346 theaters; $20.3 million, two weeks. 4. “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” dropped one place, $5.1 million, in 3,102 theaters; $53.6 million, three weeks. 5. “Cruella” stayed in place, $5.1 million, in 3,110 theaters; $64.7 million, four weeks. 6. “In the Heights” dropped four places, $4.2 million, in 3,509 theaters; $19.6 million, two weeks. 7. “Spirit Untamed” dropped one place, $1.6 million, in 2,967 theaters; $13.8 million, three weeks. 8. “12 Mighty Orphans” moved up four places, $870,162, in 1,047 theaters; $1.2 million, two weeks. 9. “The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2” dropped two places, $604,000, in 539 theaters; $2 million, two weeks. 10. “Wrath of Man” dropped two places, $448,000, in 1,207 theaters; $26.8 million, seven weeks.

Box office figures from Box Office Mojo as of June 20 are subject to change.

Unreel,

June 25:

“F9: The Fast Saga,”

PG-13: Justin Lin directs Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, John Cena, Finn Cole, Sung Kang, Anna Sawai, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell, Lucas Black, Bad Bunny and Cardi B in the Action, Adventure, Crime film. Cipher gets Jakob, Dom’s younger brother, to take revenge on Dom.

“Lansky,”

R: Eytan Rockaway directs Minka Kelly, AnnaSophia Robb, David James Elliott, Sam Worthington, Jackie Cruz and Harvey Keitel in the Biography, Crime, Drama. Aging mobster Meyer Lansky is investigated by the FBI for allegedly stashing millions of dollars during 50 years.

“The Ice Road,”

PG-13: Jonathan Hensleigh directs Liam Neeson, Marcus Thomas, Amber Midthunder and Laurence Fishburne in the Adventure, Drama, Thriller. After a diamond mine collapses in northern Canada, an ice driver leads a rescue mission of trapped miners.

Movie opening dates are from Internet Movie Database.