Angels in America
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Movie Reviews of Angels in America
Movie Review: There are Angels in America
Summary: 5 Stars
Tony Kushner's "Angels in America" is without doubt one of the best plays ever written. There is almost nothing in contemporary literature that compares to Kushner's ambitious "fantasia on national themes," blending gay men dying of AIDS, unhappy housewives, Mormons, Jews, Angels, Roy Cohn and Ethel Rosenberg into one exhilarating meditation on religion and politics in America. The film version of "Angels in America" is a long time in the making, and comes to us directed by Mike Nichols, written by Kushner, and a stellar cast that includes Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Jeffrey Wright, Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, Ben Shenkman, and Patrick Wilson. At six hours, it is a complex, emotionally wrenching and thought-provoking piece of work that shows indelibly the true greatness that television is capable of.
"Angels in America" takes place in New York City in 1985, a time when people and cultures are coming together and relationships are being torn apart. Prior Walter (Justin Kirk) is dying of AIDS and his longtime lover Louis (Ben Shenkman) leaves him. Closeted lawyer Joe Pitt (Patrick Wilson) works for the ferocious and manipulative Roy Cohn (Al Pacino), a homosexual with AIDS who never admits his orientation. Joe's wife Harper (Mary-Louise Parker) is addicted to Valium and is profoundly unhappy, and when she disappears Joe's stalwart mother Hannah (Meryl Streep) moves to New York to pick up the pieces. As Prior is hospitalized, he is cared for by Belize (Jeffrey Wright) an ex-drag queen, and begins to have terrifying visions of an Angel, played by Emma Thompson.
"Millennium Approaches" and "Perestroika" form the two parts of this epic film about sex, politics, religion, and forgiveness. The first half sets centers around relationships falling apart, only to be reborn during the second half. The acting is amazing all around. Al Pacino gives his best performance in years as the evil but still human Roy Cohn. Meryl Streep amazes in her three major roles as Hannah Pitt, the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg, and an aged Rabbi, and Jeffrey Wright is stunning as he recreates his stage role of Belize. Patrick Wilson and Mary-Louise Parker are also very solid, and Emma Thompson is glorious as the Angel. Justin Kirk and Ben Shenkman are uneven, but mostly very good. The screenplay is perfect, and Mike Nichols' direction is superbly imaginative.
"Angels in America" will likely be viewed and discussed for decades. It is occaisionally too studied, as if the creators couldn't stop thinking that they were adapting a Great Work of Art, but when this movie lets go of that and soars, it is breathtaking to behold. Although it does have its flaws, the good points ultimately outnumber the bad, and its sheer ambition and epic scope make it well worth seeing.
Winner of 11 Emmys including: Best Miniseries, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Pacino), Best Actress (Streep), Best Supporting Actor (Wright), and Best Supporting Actress (Parker).
Movie Review: The Angels finally have visited us...
Summary: 5 Stars
The first scene in the amazing HBO film that may win you over is one of fantasy and illusion. Sick Prior, after taking some of his drugs, slips into a hallucination or a dream, and meets up with another drug induced character, Harper. Together, they commiserate about their sad, pathetic lives and how they see into each other. The acting, fantastic, the drama, superb, its reality in its unreality is brilliant. Long anticipated, long awaited, the landmark play of the 90's, Angels in America finally comes to DVD with astounding results.
Tony Kushner's play, produced in the early to mid 90's, is both a damning indictment on the lack of response to the early AIDS crisis, to a celebration of those who survive and continue to live with the disease. It's a brilliant work that is not easily understood, but upon several viewings, and even readings of the play, allows the layers and filters of this incredible drama to infuse itself into your own psyche, and by merely watching it, you are changed. Angels quite possibly is the quintessential drama ever produced.
Through a handful of characters, the themes of despair, continuance, and
redemption is explored. Mormon Joe Pitt struggles with his sexuality, while married to knowing-yet-unknowing wife Harper, who struggles with her drug addiction. Prior Walter, struggling with AIDS, must deal with his prophetic status, while dealing with less than supportive boyfriend Louis. Prior's story is countered by arch-conservative real life attorney Roy Cohn, who fails to acknowledge his own struggle with AIDS. Additional characters include Belize, a former drag queen and current nurse, and Joe's mother Hannah, herself coming out of her Mormon upbringing who probably deals with reality the best of them all.
Given the brilliant script, the acting soars above anything seen recently on television. Screen stars Al Pacino and Meryl Streep powerhouse their characters, making them incredibly real. Justin Kirk as Prior and Ben Shenkman as Louis both prove their acting chops by being the center of the film and carry it extremely well. The first scene where they discuss Prior's illness sets the tone for the entire film. However, two performances absolutely stunned me. Mary Louise Parker as Harper, makes her character, which reads as a crazy lunatic, more heartbreakingly honest and internal pain. And Jeffrey Wright as Belize harnesses the anger and resentment of the entire gay community with his beautiful performance. He perhaps is the most underappreciated American actor today, and I don't know why we don't see him in many more things.
Angels isn't for everyone. Those easily offended by religious plays, homosexuality, or AIDS would best steer clear. However, if you want a movie that will reduce you to tears many times, where you love the script and the acting, I highly suggest Angels in America. It is where we've been, but it also may be where we will head again if not careful.
Movie Review: "Angels" that need to be heard on high and on low
Summary: 5 Stars
In spite of a few imperfection (intentional or otherwise) "Angels in America" was one of the most original and heartfelt works to have graced the American stage. AiA, the film, ably brings the play to the screen. It is original. It is funny. It is poignant. It is crude and even blasphemous. Above all it is honest. It is everything a non-religious religious movie ought to be.
In Ronald Reagan's America, the AIDS epidemic was cutting down young gay lives at a furious clip. Caught between the spread of a virulent infection and a society that relegated it to the margins, the [...] community was reeling. Treatments were rare, and those that existed were limited to drug trials, to which only the very lucky or the very powerful had access. It's against this backdrop of death and identity that AiA is set.
Playwright Tony Kushner does not paint every gay character as a saint or a hero. Some are power-mad, some cowardly, some just trying to survive, while some step up in best Florence Nightingale fashion to alleviate pain and bring hope. The film cuts between sets of lovers. Prior is suffering with AIDS, but his squeamish friend Louis (great when it comes to pronouncing sweeping theories) is unable to support Prior during his illness. A young Mormon couple-Joe and Harper-struggle through madness and a sexless marriage, mostly due to Joe's inability to accept his own sexuality. Al Pacino, in an Oscar-worthy performance, plays Roy Cohn as a man in love with himself and with power, who vehemently denies his [...], even as his body is being ravaged by HIV/AIDS. Throughout the personal struggles, the principals are beset by visions that challenge them, comfort them and give meaning to their suffering. Meryl Streep is perfect as Ethel Rosenberg-the voice of Kohn's withered conscience-whom an overzealous Kohn had railroaded (as AIA tells it) to the gas chamber. Prior is visited by Emma Thompson, as an angel who proclaims him a prophet. Harper retreats into drugged-out hallucinations that protect her from her own feelings of uselessness and worthless. Special mention goes to Jeffrey Wright, who plays nurse Belize, who ministers to his sick friends (and enemies) while doling out tough love that keeps them grounded in reality.
Redemption for these characters comes in facing truths about their characters. Those who accept the truth find peace and love; those who reject it, like Cohn, are doomed to die alone in their lies.
AiA is a masterpiece that uses the AIDS epidemic to strip away the masks of self-delusion and falsity that are the hallmark of humanity and the special curse of [...] in a homophobic society. The film's depictions of gay sexuality are frank and not always pretty. But by exposing the inner, hidden core of [...] humanity, the film shows [...] as persons of full human dignity who do not deserve suffering and death, but who soldier through its ravages with grace, love and courage.
Movie Review: Utterly....Superb
Summary: 5 Stars
I sat down one Saturday evening 2 hours before I was to go out on the town (and enjoy Los Angeles' incredible dining and nightlife)and began watching Angels in America part 1 on HBO.....I sat transfixed and still for 3 hours and cancelled my plans to go out 1 1/2 hours before it ended, I COULD NOT PULL MYSELF AWAY. I was expecting part 2 to follow and was extremely disappointed to learn it wasn't showing. The next day I ran out and bought the DVD and sat for another 3 hours during part 2 transfixed.
It has taken me 2 weeks to sit down and write this review, I just could not find the words to do it and still find it difficult to do now. I am not going to go into any detail about the plot or the incredible characters as one can read plenty of excellent reviews from excellent reviewers on these matters below..of which I am pleased to see 95% are good, and deservedly so. I merely want to say how it made me feel and that this film moved me in a way very few that have preceeded it have. This movie made me feel practically every human emotion there is...which is a little scary being that few films or plays can do such a thing. Is it tragic? yes, is it hopeful? yes, is it funny? yes, serious? yes, boring? never. Is it about gay men dying of AIDS? yes....but that is only on the surface, it is about SO much more than that.It is about people (gay and straight)and our not so sometimes perfect journey through life in this very uncertain and frequently ugly world. At the risk of sounding cliched or cheezy this movie has changed something in me, forever. It makes one want to be a better person, to not be fearful and angry at what we dont understand or hate, rather we should should strive to be compasionate and understanding...even of the things or people we might loathe.
If you have adverse feelings towards discussions on religion, philosophy,politics,love,death,abandonment,self discovery,the American dream,disease,race,drugs,devotion,homosexuals, and INCREDIBLE dialogue that borders on Shakespearean you probably wont like this film, however, you should watch it! It may make you see something different..in a different light. Don't be biased, check that at the door and watch with an open, forward thinking mind.
I am 28 years old and barely remember the outbreak of AIDS in the early 80's and I also barely remember the Reagan years. I am pretty well educated in politics and history though...but you want need to be....if you are human you will understand. My only regret is that I did not get to see this Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway sensation of the 90's on stage. If it is ever revived on Broadway I will pay what ever the cost to see it.
There are Angels in America, the angels are us.
Bravo HBO...incredible!
Movie Review: Amazng accompishment...
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read the other reviews, and am surprised that so many people missed so much! I was epecially annoyed that one reviewer mentioned that it was "dated"; this can only be attributed to the brilliant Mike Nichols creating a period piece (the '80's). The immense amount of subtle humor certainly alleviated the grotesque allegory that was taking place. Without that element, this would've been downer-city. Example, Prior (Justin Kirk) wrestles with the Angel (Emma Thompson), and when it's over, the angel announces that she pulled a muscle and needs a break. Also, my favorite, Joe's Mormon mother (Meryl Streep) asks Prior if he's a hairdresser. He responds, saying that if he was, it'd be her luckiest day. Even the evil Roy Cohn (Pacino) makes jest of his plight. And then there's Streep as the cynical rabbi. I was very amused and entertained. My point is, that if you think this is a downer about HIV/AIDS, it covers much more than that. Motivations are explored, as in the relationship of Prior and Louis (Ben Shenkman); as well as the Mormon couple, Joe (Patrick Wilson) and Harper (Mary-Louise Parker). As far as the complaints I'd read about the dialogue, I thought every line of delivery by all of the above-mentioned was real and sincere...Emma's, however, was written to be interpreted by Prior, the ultimate drama queen, as he saw it. "Angels in America", as presented on HBO and directed by Nichols, is breathtakingly powerful. At 6 hours, it never fails to entertain. I'd had the DVD since March, when it was first released. I only watched it the other day, waiting for the right time to absorb the whole thing. And, yes, now I must watch it again (as a previous reviewer recommended). This was nominated for practically every Golden Globe, Emmy, etc., that was available. The many fine male performances I'm sure caused confusion (leading/supporting?). I was impressed with Pacino, Streep and the wonderful Jeffrey Wright (as another sort of Angel), and EVERYONE involved, but in the long run, I was most impressed with Justin Kirk as Prior. He had the toughest part, and was seamless in his portrayal, so very diverse. This is monumental in its achievement, and I wish everyone could see it to get a feeling of the attitudes at the beginning of the AIDS crisis. One nice thing about the film/play, is that, with the exception of Roy Cohn, everyone is a nice person at heart.My complaint about the DVD, especially at the price, is that there are absolutely NO extras. Commentary from any of the brilliant talents involved would be welcome, as well as a chapter-selection that allowed getting into and out of each of the 6 chapters. Even a making-of extra would be nice. Still, worthy of your time.