Rating: 
Summary: A profound human dimension amid the politics and pain
Review: A jaw-dropping film adaptation of Tony Kushner's epic, 5-hour play, which was a defining artistic statement documenting the political and social upheaval that AIDS-HIV disease brought to America's gay community and to the wider America around it. Mixing agitprop and camp with magical realism and utter, heart-rending, pathos, Kushner and director Mike Nichols bring the story to the screen in a big, big way, with all-around amazing performances by a perfectly cast ensemble. Al Pacino gets to chew up yards of scenery in his portrayal of the sleazy, venal, far-rightwing attorney Roy Cohn (who acted as Joe McCarthy's point man in the infamous 1950s prosecution of "atom spies" Julius and Ethel Rosenberg) and for once, all of Pacino's high-decibel yelling pays off with some real dramatic ooompf. There are a lot of things that you could comment on in this play -- the exploration of Jewish-American assimilation, the powerful reaffirmation of a supposedly marginalized leftist perspective, etc. -- but the most profound insight Kushner has to offer is about who the real redeeming angels will have to be in our nation's coming cultural reconciliation. The humanity that he is able to impart into the character of the middle-American Mormon, Mother Pitt (played faultlessly by Meryl Streep), is a marvel of modern political drama: and it rings undeniably true. Pushing past our narrowly defined social and political "roles," and into our shared humanity, is the only road open to folks who want to see America's moral and ethical core liberated from the ideological intrusions of the religious far-right, and the resulting frustrated anger of the disenfranchised middle-liberal-left. In a strictly us-vs-them world view, Mother Pitt would be derided by those on the we're-here-we're-queer Left... but as many people have learned, particularly amid the devastating upheavals of the HIV crisis, our real emotional lives are (ideally) not ruled by dogma. Mother Pitt isn't just a caring parent, she's also a kind, pragmatic person, and for her, the most pragmatic choice when confronted with an epidemic, is to simply offer sympathy and solace. What could be more natural? Let's hope her example prevails.
Rating:
Summary: Watch this
Review: Angels in America is truly a wonderful piece of art. I was so deeply moved by every single episode that I actually had trouble focusing on anything else after I finished watching it. Mike Nichols manages to combine the finest poetry with the most atrocious actuality. The acting performances are also exceptional. I especially enjoyed Justin Kirk's portrayal of Prior Walter. He acts with such truthfulness and authenticity and truly manages to capture the thoughts of a desperate man who's not able to accept his own destiny.
My thoughts are; if you'll only watch one thing this entire year, watch this.
Rating:
Summary: BEST AMERICAN PLAY OF THE LAST HALF-CENTURY
Review: Beautiful film adaptation of this astonishingly sad and funny play. The film gets better every time I see it. Do yourself a favor: buy this DVD and watch it over and over. All the actors are amazing, and Pacino and Streep have rarely been better.
Rating:
Summary: I Never Tire of This Breathtaking Masterpiece
Review: Deeply emotional, wildly inventive, perfectly cast and superbly acted, Angels in America deserves to be acknowledged for the groundbreaking triumph that it is rather than dismissed by those who simply dislike the its characters' politics or lifestyles. While there are certainly legitimate criticisms that can be made (e.g., the dramatic tension doesn't always unfold consistently, and the long speeches would benefit from a red pencil in places) it's rare to find a movie that offers such intelligent dramatic fodder for the actors, or that stretches the imagination so vividly.
Through this movie and several others of comparable merit (e.g. "Wit" and "The Gathering Storm,") HBO has upped the cultural ante in television, bridging the gap between high art and mass entertainment. Keep it up, HBO.
Rating:
Summary: A BIG surprise!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: First saw "Angels" advertised as I drove down New York City's West Side Highway and saw a HUGE billboard ad. Was a little bit cynical about how good it would be. Watched it on HBO, and what can I say???? BRILLIANT!!!!!!
The performances, direction, cinematography blew me away.
Had only seen Part Two performed on stage, so was intrigued to see the "whole thing".
EASY to say that Pacino, Streep, Emma Thompson were amazing, but SO were everybody involved in this production.
IF it had been theatrically released, it would have SWEPT the Oscars.
Buy, WATCH, and appreciate sheer brilliance!!!
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Close to Perfect
Review: Having read the play I was thinking how a movie could never live up to it. I was wrong. The entire cast is amazing and I will certainly never forget it as a whole. I invited people over for each night it played and all of us loved it. I will definitely own this and I think anyone who has and interest in the play and even some who don't should at least see it. Worth every Emmy it won and every penny you will spend.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best movie I've seen in years....
Review: HBO should've released this movie in movie theaters. I saw it at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco and it was a fantastic experience. Seeing it on TV is great, but.... Oh well, just enjoy! The acting, story, and filmography are amazing.
Rating:
Summary: I am Speechless...
Review: I am unable to find the proper words to adequately describe Angels in America...
I do know that I will have to go back and view it again because I know I have missed so much...
Meryl Streep as a Rabbi? Who would have thought...?
Give this movie a shot and STAY WITH IT. You will not be sorry.
If the subject matter is too offensive for you, perhaps you should try HERBIE GOES BANANAS or THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: I first saw this play about three years ago, and fell in love with it. I went back three times to see it before it closed at the end of the week. So, as you can imagine, I was both intrigued and afraid of what HBO might to do this wonderful play. As I began watching, I was impressed with the cinematography, although a few of the characters seemed a bit stiff, and hard to relate to as actual human beings. Perhaps this was do to the toned-down style of acting in film as opposed to theatre. By the end, however, I was almost in tears. This is the best film I've seen in a very long time.
Rating: 
Summary: absolutly amazing piece of thought provoking art
Review: i have never ever seen something so amazing! this film so elegantly combines so many genres and themes into one. the film has it all - meaning, emotion, love, death, sex, drugs, money, politics, religion and much more. sometimes it is mildly funny (there are also some hilarious scenes that make it look like a sketch show) at others it is amazingly profound and deep with beautiful language, and other times it is just blatently straightforward. fantastic camera work and lighting i really liked how everything looks. this has just become my favorite show. it is based around the lives of gay people, but don't let that get in your way of watching this amazing film because you are missing out on a treat of a lifetime! but be prepared - this is not your average blockbuster movie, it frequently evokes thinking and opportunity for discussion, perfect for watching with friends. often sad themes but ends with great hope and positivity.
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