Angels In America - 2003

This was a surreal and visual experience that crossed between the apocalypse and total redemption. The one point I must make, first thing, is this: if you’ve never colored outside the lines and your outlook is fairly regimented, then I wouldn’t suggest this movie for you. It pushes your belief system to the edge and causes you to step back and go … “Hmmm”. Also, if you aren’t the type of person that looks at a blank space and can envision it as a completed thing, this would probably restrict your ability to appreciate some of the visual stimulation offered in the movie. However, if you are open to interpretation, spirits and all that encompasses, then, by all means, grab this movie up.

There are probably a half dozen main actors in this movie, although some do multi-duties throughout the production. In fact, you aren’t aware of some of these side duties until the ending, when they show the flashbacks with each character and identify them for you. For instance, I woulda never guessed who the Rabbi was at the beginning of the movie without their guidance at the end. Don’t look at me to give it up, watch it and find out yourself.

As far as awards, it was nominated for almost 70 awards, virtually sweeping the Emmy’s, and won 38 overall in multi categories and award groups. The soundtrack was visionary in and of itself, relying on spiritual, show tunes, big band and harmonious vocals. The special effects were above astounding; both breathtaking and unbelievable at times. All were well done with detail and some were quite stunning. The moving faces on statues were often almost eerie in delivery.

The basis of this movie was about AIDS but to narrow it down to just that subject lessens the quality of the movie. Certainly AIDS played an overwhelming factor in the production but not so much the ravages of the disease but the perimeter circumstances and associations. It was also a fairly distinct separation of the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ as far as treatment and understanding of this epidemic.

The time frame was mid to late 80’s when little was known or shared about AIDS. Involved also was the corruption of the governmental powers and those that wield the power. The head force of the corruption was Roy Cohn, who was played in an almost perfect performance by Al Pacino.

This was an old, withering Pacino, nothing pretty or enthralling about him at all. With that, his delivery of the hateful and bigoted Cohn was beautiful in presentation. This was the only part Pacino played throughout the movie and he did it with vile panache, especially with his interaction with Ethel Rosenberg [Meryl Streep], who he had prosecuted and sent to her death. Rosenberg, in her ghostly way, plays an intricate part of this movie.

Meryl Strepp played several different parts, all of which were outstanding. She weaved her way through almost all the episodes, seldom as the same character but often reappearing as one of the other characters.

Emma Thompson, like Strepp, adopted several personas in the movie. Some very considerate and understanding, some very bizarre. All were done with equal perfection.

Mary-Louise Parker played only one role, that of Harper Pitt. Harper was a hopeless romantic, addicted to Valium, married to a man who discovers he is if not gay then certainly bisexual. She is a Mormon, like her husband, but not immersed in the religion completely. On the other hand, she often quotes biblical references. She also has the most amazing dream sequences, part of her hallucinogenic state, I would think.

Playing the part of the waspishly straight appearing Joe Pitt, Patrick Wilson gave a remarkable performance of someone having doubts about his sexuality and his religion, to say nothing of his political beliefs. Politics plays a large part of this movie through many references. His chosen partner for his introduction into the gay lifestyle is Louis Ironson, a Jewish man that works at the same legal firm that Joe does. Louis, played by Ben Shenkman, was/is wholly involved with someone else, Prior Walter.

Prior is our introduction to AIDS. After living together for years, Louis finds he cannot ‘stand by his man’ when he going gets tough, so he just leaves and eventually starts the relationship with Joe Pitt. Prior is a convoluted character, having the most outrageous dream sequences, which I found both delightful and terrifying. Although Justin Kirk devoted the major portion of the movie to the part of Prior Walter, he also carries off a few other, smaller, parts in the movie.

Jeffrey Wright was Belize, the nurse everyone wants in their corner and best friend to all, although no one really knew him on a personal level. I particularly liked one scene between Cohn and Belize where you just begin to wonder if Belize may be from the dark side, or maybe he was just having one over on Cohn. Either way, he was outstanding in the movie.

Taken from the writing of Tony Kushner, Mike Nichols delivers a wonderful production that really needs to be seen more than once to appreciate. The downside of that, it runs about 7 or 8 hours. It is broken into two DVD’s, an intermission of sorts, so you can watch it at your own pace. It originally aired on HBO but is now available on DVD for purchase or rent.

The episode titles:
Millennium Approaches: Chapter One - Bad News
Millennium Approaches: Chapter Two - In Vitro
Millennium Approaches: Chapter Three - The Messenger
Perestroika: Chapter Four - Stop Moving!
Perestroika: Chapter Five - Beyond Nelly
Perestroika: Chapter Six - Heaven, I’m In Heaven

Overall Impression
This movie is not for everyone. Some may even find portions of it offensive or blasphemous. There is sex, nothing hard core but certainly visible, both heter and homo. There is nudity and some fairly salty language at times. Some of the visual effects are simply outstanding but completely bizarre.

I’ve never considered myself a highly intelligent person although I hold my own. Movies like this along with What The *(*&%( Do We Know?, Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance, Powaggatsi and Nagoygatsi, really show me I’m dumber than a stone but at least I can admit it. This movie, and the others I mentioned, are the type that people used to sit down and discuss after watching them, giving their own interpretations. To few movies are like that anymore … shame.

Thanks,
Susi