Angels in America

Rating:
Summary: The jury's still out
Review: The jury is still out. I admit, while watching the film, especially the second part, I said aloud - this is @#$%ing stupid. The plot was contrived, at times, and downright silly.

But I have to say, I was left with enough of an impression of the thing to be thinking about it quite a bit. Having watched it alone, I couldn't wait to talk with someone about the story - to check in and see what others thought. I read nearly every review here. I guess I remain on the fence between those who praised it outright, and those who lack imagination. Then there are the reviewers who simply lack any compassion or tolerance of diversity. I admit that the gay characters seem whiny, as some reviewers wrote - but isn't drama often about exaggerating characters? Has anyone read Dickens, for God's sake? Every one of them was bigger than life, more evil than the devil, or kinder than all the saints. Since when has entertainment been about realism? Get over it!

I think it's really a combination of "Philadelphia" meets "Dogma" in some ways. The religious depictions were disturbing - but I think in a good way. I'm sick of having religious "standards" crammed down my thoat. The concept here of God walking away from over-sexed angels throws a curve ball - inventive, refreshing and so naughty!

I agree with some reviewers about the packaging and rating. I was surprised, but not offended by the frontal nudity of both men and women, and by the graphic sexual scenes. Anyone who rents this thinking it's a spiritual/religious film - will be soon surprised! I think it should be labeled appropriately.

Finally, unlike some, I did find hope in the ending. So Prior didn't become a prophet - in other words, he didn't die, to end the suffering. Isn't human nature meant to struggle to survive? I think he did the noble thing and tried to keep living, even under the most harsh circumstances. The ending, I thought, wasn't forced and preachy. It was redemptive. I felt hope for humankind. So there.

The jury is out. Until I can either recommend the movie to friends, or denounce its value, I can't really take a stand. Rent it and see for yourself.



Rating:
Summary: Tired tirade
Review: This "movie" is an endless rant against anything and everything that is NOT pro homosexual, pro democratic socialism, and pro cultural marxism. Pure propaganda for the anti-family, ant-religon crowd. Save your money.

Rating:
Summary: Kushner is the new Shakespeare
Review: This film version of Angels in America is an exceptional accomplishment. The production and acting were superb, possibly some of the best caught on film. Al Pacino does a wonderful job of playing the dying Roy Cohn. Meryl Streep is magnificent playing both the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg and the Mormon matron, Hannah Pitt. Mary Louise Parker plays the Mormon housewife struggling with a gay husband while also struggling with her sanity. Justin Kirk is superb as Prior, a gay man dying of AIDS while also dealing with the abandonment by his partner, Lewis.Patrick Wilson suffers through the guilt of leaving his wife, telling his mother about his sexual orientation, while being propelled into the energy of his new gay identity. All the other actors were superb but Streep and Pacino were extremely powerful and moving.

The script is poetic, much like Shakespeare in beauty, fluidity, and emotional penetration. Therefore the viewer should not expect realistic naturalistic dialogue. The stage is often more suited for the poetic than is the screen, but Mike Nichols stayed true to the message and kept the beautiful dialogue as originally written. The language is so stimulating that I suggest the viewer have a copy of screenplay nearby so they can re-experience the lines.

What is this play about? It is about AIDS, conservative politics, history, relationships, self awareness, religion, theology, love, forgiveness, survival and transcendence.

What are the angels? They are the ever expanding idea of freedom. Only a genius of Kushner's standing could equate the movement of the Mormon's to Utah to gain religious freedom, with the modern gay civil rights movement, with the rise of Gorbachev and the fall of the Soviet Union.

What is the central theme? The tension between our duty and responsibilities to others and the duty and responsibility to be true to ourself. Joe and Lewis both struggle with this dilemna which is the central armature of the play. However upon that armature hangs far more pain and history that almost any other theatrical production.

I strongly recommend this production and wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

More life. Let the great work begin.

Rating:
Summary: too bad it is not eligible for the oscar
Review: This is simply the most amazing cinematic achievment in decades and one of the finest films ever. The Motion Picture Academy should award a special Oscar, even though it was made for TV.

Rating:
Summary: Best Movie I have Ever Seen!
Review: This is the best movie I have ever seen! Nothing else is needed to be said

Rating:
Summary: Stunningly Beautiful and Moving
Review: This series took my breath away. Tony Kushner has truly created a work that will transcend time, living on for so long, and this movie a actually does the play justice. I read the play before I saw the HBO film, and I must admit that I didn't think that they would even compare, but the acting, the direction, and, of course, the writing were phenominal. All of the stars play their role with the utmost perfection. This is honestly one of the best movies of all time.

Rating:
Summary: Worth every minute
Review: tony kushner has amazingly worked all his feelings about the important social, emotional and personal issues in this staggering work of art. It is so subtle and yet it manages to connect with audiences far and wide.. This is probably the best thing I have ever seen.

Rating:
Summary: Great cast, hope you like gay men stories...
Review: Very disappointing. You get to spend several hours watching the story of several gay men that are either dying or finding new lovers. There's also weird ghost and supernatural stuff happening, but it doesn't seem have a point. One visit from an 'angel' turns out to be a rather pagan and sex based visit.

This is a series where you keep expecting there to be a good point for everything happening and there isn't.