Angels in America
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Movie Reviews of Angels in America
Movie Review: simply a terrific piece of writing, acting, and directing
Summary: 5 Stars
Amazing as it might seem, I had seen neither the play (it premiered in Seattle) nor the movie, which I'd bought, then put aside unviewed (like so many other things). It was only Wednesday night when I popped it into the player and was knocked for a loop. (I can't think of a less-trite expression.)
It is, first and formost, a brutal, testicle-kicking attack on post-Reagan "conservatism". It's fortunate that Roy Cohn -- one of the most-vicious American politicians of the last century, and a homosexual who died of AIDS -- actually existed, so that Tony Kushner did not have to invent him. He is a convenient personification of everything the author (and I) detest in American society.
I am at a loss to say anything "intelligent" (or even original) about a movie in which every character is deeply flawed, a film that is sufficiently complex (and ambiguous, where appropriate) that it cannot reveal everything in a single viewing. "Angels in America" is worth seeing simply for the quality of writing, acting, and direction. (The special effects ain't bad, either.)
If I have any complaints, it's that theatrical metaphor -- which is acceptable within a stage work's lack of literal reality -- can seem a bit heavy-handed in a film, which appears to be literally real.
It's a mistake to view "Angels in America" solely as a chronicle of how AIDS devastated the gay community. Yes, it's also a polemic, but Kushner gets away with it by remembering that you cannot tell a story about ideas, you can only tell a story about people.
Like any Great Work Of Art (and it is one), it is, fundamentally, about how human beings cope with life. It's one of the best motion pictures I've ever seen, and I cannot recommend it too highly.
Movie Review: The Infinite Descent
Summary: 5 Stars
When HBO dubbed this mini-series as an event, they wern't kidding. Clocking in at an astonishing six hours, 'Angels in America,' is nothing short of legendary. Each hour installment will literally take your breath away. It's as sweeping as it is lugurious. Mike Nichols does an amazing job at transitioning Tony Kushner's beautiful and sprawling play on film. I only wished the producers had considered releasing the film in two halves in theaters; now that would truely be an event.
'Angels in America' is about many things to many people. For the most part it is a historical account of homosexual life during the Regan era (1980s). There is an assembly of one of the most impressive ensemble casts ever from big timers like Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Emma Thompson to the equally "big" Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, Patrick Wilson, and Jeffery Wright; all do a phenomenal job in their roles-many have multiple roles. Though the film tackles AIDS in America which can prove to damning in its depressing portait, the film is nevertheless joyously hopeful.
Everything about this film is astonishing and top notch. No expense was spared. The production is excellent from shooting New York City to shooting the heavens; it's absolutely stunning. The dialogue is rich and complex and is just as beautiful as anything Shakespeare has written-only far more modern.
It's no doubt 'Angels in America' holds a special place in my heart. It's one of the rare films that speaks to me, and even though it's considered a mini-series, it's definitely one of my favorite films of all time, a classic! You will wowed! "Prepare! Prepare for the infinite descent!"
Movie Review: "Angels" Amazing in almost every way
Summary: 5 Stars
This film took over 10 years to bring to the screen. If the subject seems dated to some, the crisis is not over. This could be a film about any disease, and any Country.This could easily
be Africa, and a huge section of their population.
6 hours, based on a play,I thought I'd be bored. We watched the entire program in one sitting! We actually fumbled to get the second DVD onto the player so we could continue, it was that intense.
The story is often funny and always touching , the acting superb. The moods and the lighting suggest the peril surrounding the characters.
There are so many reasons that this won a record 11 Emmies,
Meryl Streep is just one. As Mrs. Pitt , we see how much trouble she has visiting her son, who snubs her. Then, we see how loving and kind she is to Prior. Streep plays 4 roles here, and is awesome. Pacino is despicable as Roy Cohn , and his
performance is riveting.The scene with Cohn and his Doctor is unforgettable. A master manipulator
To me, this is a story of pain that some can't see, and pain that some can't handle. The angels are the ones who see the pain, deal with it,and find it hard to understand why the others walk away from their loved ones' pain.Abandonment and
salvation are reoccuring themes, reality and fantasy coexist
in most of the characters, or is it "under influence? "
The music is excellent ( the theme is breathtaking ), and fits well with the subject. It would be hard not to be touched by this winner.
Movie Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
I first was introuduced to Angels In America (the play) while watching The Laramie Project. I had been interested in it sense, but had never gotten the opportunity to see on stage or read the script, so when I found out that HBO was going to be releasing this miniseries on DVD I was in very high hopes that it would be everything that I had hoped for!
I watched the entire film (all 6 hours) and was absoluetly blown away, the story is probably one of the best ever written, the characters are amazing, and the actors (especially Justin Kirk "Prior" and Patrick Wilson "Joe") are nothing short of spectacular. Nearly every actor in this film deserves an award of some sort, whether it be an Emmy or whatever else.
This movie now holds the number one spot on my list of favorites. And I don't think it will be replaced anytime soon. This film truly does touch the deepest regions of your heart and soul. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. It will make you angry and it will make you hurt. It will make you overjoyed and it will mend your wounds. This movie truly is remarkable and I highly recommend it to everybody that is interested and even to those who aren't.
If you are contemplating purchasing this movie, do it, I guarantee you will not regret it. I payed $33.00 for Angels In America and it is probably the best decision I have ever made when it comes to buying movies.
I hope this review helps in some way and I hope you agree with me once you've seen it! It is an instant classic!
Movie Review: An epic piece of theater
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the most involving and intellectually stimulating piece of filmed theater that I have ever seen. I was reluctant to rent this as I thought it would be a predictable, mindless and vulgar soap opera for urban gay people with little to interest anyone else. It is anything but. This is a story told with an epic sweep and deals intelligently - and sometimes brilliantly - with everything from politics, American immigrants, Roy Cohn, Mormonism, theology, angels, and family to the Reagan years and AIDS. I am anything but a liberal - I am a Bush conservative - but a great piece of writing is a great piece of writing no matter what the point of view. And "Angels" is a great script. This is a six hour movie but director Mike Nichols has it zipping along at such a fast clip that there isn't a dull moment. Don't let your distaste for (or boredom with) movies with gay sub-plots keep you from this one; you'll be missing out on a great film. The entrance of the Angel at the end of part one is unforgettable and one of the most spectacular pieces of film in the last decade. Pacino gives a great, intense performance as Roy Cohn that doesn't have him chewing up the scenery and becoming a parody of himself. Mary Louise Parker does a great job as Harper, the emotionally ill Mormon wife who comes across as Marie Osmond on ecstasy and LSD. The movie is a rarity - a grand, sweeping epic that is so ambitious that you remember why movies can be so wonderful. Excellent.