Directed by:
Ryan MurphyScreenplay:
Larry KramerCinematography:
Daniel ModerComposer:
Cliff MartinezCast:
Mark Ruffalo, Frank De Julio, Taylor Kitsch, Julia Roberts, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, Jonathan Groff, Denis O'Hare, Finn Wittrock, Joe Zaso, Alfred Molina (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
This riveting HBO drama tells the story of gay activist and writer Ned Weeks who, at the beginning of the 1980s, was one of the first to vociferously criticize the marginalization of the then unknown HIV virus. As a supporter of monogamy, he was a thorn in the side of his gay friends: 30 years previously, they rallied behind promiscuity as an expression of their right to freely love whomever they wished. This adaptation of Larry Kramer's Tony-winning play offers an unvarnished look at American sexual politics of the early 1980s, exploring the efforts of gay activists and their kindred spirits in the medical community to uncover the truth about the emerging epidemic, first referred to as "gay cancer." The excellent performances, which will surely be acknowledged during next spring's award ceremonies, were supplied by Julia Roberts, Jim Parsons, Alfred Molina, and especially Mark Ruffalo in the role of Ned Weeks. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)
(more)Reviews (2)
In the first half, it’s a very raw drama about the occurrence of AIDS in a seemingly advanced culture that has a problem accepting the issue, much less solving it. At times, the first half gets very sexually explicit. On the other hand, the second half brings out a whole range of theatrical acting performances that make it apparent that this is a play turned into a movie. In this regard, it’s worth mentioning Mark Ruffalo and especially Julia Roberts who has surprised me with her character; I almost didn’t recognize her. Overall, it’s a fascinating drama, especially because it’s interesting that something like this was even happening in the 1980s.
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Life wasn't easy in the gay community in the first half of the 1980s. However, Ryan Murphy's HBO drama does not try to play on feelings and plead for gay rights; on the contrary, it quite naturally depicts the mood of the time, the atmosphere and the feelings of those who were there during the first deaths from the new HIV virus. The large number of characters and the length of over two hours is slightly detrimental, but the stellar cast, led by Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts and Alfred Molina, makes up for it. One of the homosexuals is even played by Jim Parson (Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory).
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