Angels in America - HBO Film

[polkatese]

It's on this week (first part) and next week (second part) on HBO

Very intense drama, full of twists, dichotomy, and top performances by Pacino, Streep, and others.

http://www.hbo.com/films/angelsinamerica/

I don't know whether I like it or not, but I can't find the strength to stop watching it....

anybody else watching this series?

[Tour2ma]

Just watched the HBOW premier... WOW... absolutely stunning...

[danger boy]

dang it. i don't have HBO. ugh.

[Dr. Spec]

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Just watched the HBOW premier... WOW... absolutely stunning...

High praise indeed (including an enthusiasm-induced spelling error) from someone who normally gives most movies a cool reception at best.

Based on Tour's post alone, I'd give this one a hard look. Too bad I don't have HBO (or cable, or even the newspaper for that matter).

[Spoonman]

What is the movie about?

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
...including an enthusiasm-induced spelling error...

Spelling error?

What can I say Doc, it's a great story, superbly acted.

Spoonman,
HBO has filmed two plays that have been around for years. Here are excerpts from an on-line review of the plays. No real spoilers here…

Angels in America is really two full-length plays. Part I: Millennium Approaches won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This play explores "the state of the nation"--the sexual, racial, religious, political and social issues confronting the country during the Reagan years, as the AIDS epidemic spreads.

Two of the main characters have AIDS. One, Prior, is a sane, likeable man who wonders if he is crazy as he is visited by ghosts of his ancestors, and selected by angels to be a prophet (but the audience sees the ghosts and angels too). The other main character, Roy Cohn, based on the real political figure, is a hateful powerbroker who refuses the diagnosis of AIDS because only powerless people get that sickness.

These plays compose an epic drama that has deservedly earned awards for its portrayal of contemporary America--its mixture of brutal reality and miraculous fantasy, its tragedy and comedy, its meannesses and compassions. Angels and real historical figures, fictional characters and ghosts, all appear on stage together and challenge our conventional concepts of what is real.

The scene at the end of the first play, when the angel comes crashing through the ceiling into Prior's sickroom, is one of the most dazzling dramatic spectacles ever staged. Every situation is seen from at least two different, and often conflicting perspectives. Characters in the play struggle to find meaning in a world apparently abandoned by God. Some deny, reject, and fail, but the strong ones break free or find their meaning in compassion and commitment to others.

In addition to the Pulitzer, Kuchner’s plays earned him two Tony’s. He wrote the screenplay for this production directed by Mike Nichols.

As polka pointed out the acting is amazing...
Pacino, as Roy Cohn, pulls back a bit from his now standard, over-the-top portrayals for this lead role.
Meryl Streep has so far played three supporting roles, the first of which could not be spotted were it not for the ending credits.
Emma Thompson has also appeared in three supporting roles.
Relative unknowns Jeffrey Wright (two supporting roles), Patrick Wilson (lead role), Justin Kirk (one leading and one small supporting role), and Ben Shenkman (lead role) are all very good at least. Of these cast members Wright and Kirk are outstanding.
Only Mary Louise-Parker (who played in “West Wing” for a couple seasons) seems outclassed here. It’s not that she’s bad, but the others are superior.

For those that do not have HBO, this will undoubtedly be a DVD release sometime in the future, but perhaps after a theatrical release. It’s that good…

One reviewer of the movies thought so much of them that he stated it would sweep the Oscars were it in theaters. For now it may have to settle for sweeping the Emmy’s…

[Dr. Spec]

Thanks for the write-up tour. I was just hackin' about the spelling error and truth be told, HBOW could stand for something perfectly legitimate (wouldn't that be embarrassing).

One thing I know for sure - if you liked it, it's good. I'll see it one way or the other.

[Tour2ma]

HBOWest...

Had me checking every other word in that eight word post...:)

[Spoonman]

Tour2ma,
Thanks for the info. Sounds interesting....

[Dr. Spec]

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
HBOW could stand for something perfectly legitimate (wouldn't that be embarrassing)

You see? :o Open mouth, insert port plug.

[danger boy]

I got HBO for Christmas.. now I can watch Angles in America too.

8 channels of HBO, what could be better?

[danger boy]

i watched the entire series this weekend. very powerful and emotional to say the least. Yeah it does make you think. It reminds us of what we were thinking at the time in terms of politics, AIDS, and the fear of death and dying alone.

It touches on some highly controversial subjects.. like AIDS, gays, Mormans, and being Republican.:p Waaaaaaaaa!

[polkatese]

Newsflash - AIA leads Emmy nominations - who knew?