Factual error: One of Angel's lyrics (in "Today For You, Tomorrow For Me) refers to the movie "Thelma and Louise." Rent (the movie) is set in 1989-90. "Thelma and Louise" was released in 1991. This was caused when they did the move from Broadway to the screen. The stage show did not specify the year. So when they adapted the stage show to the movie, they didn't check the references. Plus it just sounds cool. (00:28:25)
Factual error: When a young Steve Mills is struggling for conversation topics with Lisa in 1962, he comments that her black eye makes her look like the Tareyton commercial. However, those "I'd rather fight than switch" ads weren't aired until late 1964.
Factual error: The Swedish girl Ulla keeps saying "God dag, min vännen" as a greeting. Problem is, the grammar is incorrect. "God dag, min vän" means "good day, my friend". "God dag, min vännen", as Ulla says, means "good day, my the friend". "Vännen" is the definite article of the Swedish word for "friend".