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From Amazon.co.uk
Tony Kushner's prize-winning play Angels in America became the defining US theatrical event of the 1990s, an astonishing mix of philosophy, politics, and vibrant gay soap opera that summed up the Reagan era for an entire generation of theatre-goers. Post-9/11 would seem to be too late for a film version--philosophy and politics don't always age well--but this 2003 HBO adaptation, ably directed by Mike Nichols, provides a time capsule of the '80s and reveals the deep emotional subcurrents that will give the play lasting power.
The story centers around Prior Walter (Justin Kirk) and Louis Ironson (Ben Shenkman), a gay couple that falls apart when Prior grows ill as a result of AIDS. But cancer is not the only thing invading Prior's life: He begins to have religious visions of an angel (Emma Thompson) announcing that he is a prophet. Louis, who doesn't cope well with disease and suggestions of mortality, leaves and starts a relationship with Joe Pitt (Patrick Wilson), a closeted Mormon who works for Roy Cohn (Al Pacino)--the real-life right-wing lawyer, notorious for his ruthless behind-the-scenes machinations. Add in Joe's depressed and hallucinating wife Harper (Mary Louise Parker), his determined but open-minded mother Hannah (Meryl Streep), a fierce drag queen/nurse named Belize (Jeffrey Wright, reprising his celebrated performance from the Broadway production), and you've still only begun to discover the wealth of characters and storylines in Kushner's ambitious work.
The powerhouse cast (also featuring James Cromwell, Michael Gambon, and Simon Callow) is uniformly superb. The script has its weaknesses--some of the fantastic elements, including Prior's journey to Heaven towards the end, fall flat--but even what doesn't work is bristling with ideas and a ferocious desire to capture human existence in this time and place. --Bret Fetzer
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brand new but not sealed
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Six hours of tv? The first three flew by and we cancelled all engagements in order to view the second. Launched with Al Pacino's queen bitch lawyer Roy Cohn, McCarthy's right hand man exercising his still potent power, for the benefit of the so far repressed, cherub faced Joe. Descending into the pit that was 1980s American indifference to and absolution of any response to the AIDS epidemic coursing through the nation's veins, America slowly comes to terms with homosexuality and its public invisibility. Tony Kushner's play is a masterpiece, dealing with America's coming out and the confusion, fear and loss of a "pestillence" stricken generation. Watch, witness, weep and laugh with this ultimately life affirming, hallucinatory disection of individuality, interpendence, suffering, loss, love, life, faith, guilt and survival. Spectacular peformances - not least by Ms Streep in several roles including an ageing Rabbi - and Jeffrey Wright. Settle in and prepare to be awakened.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Lucy
Format:DVD
Shockingly, amazingly beautiful. The acting is exquisite, the characters perfectly flawed, and the plotline magical. Justin Kirk in particular presents one of the most alive, real characters in Prior that I have ever seen on screen.
I can say with all honesty that this film has changed my life.
61 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By "jpspero"
Format:DVD
1000 words could not nearly suffice to give AinA the praise it deserves; it is a masterpiece of modern drama and outclasses anything I've ever seen. The production is superb - from Thomas Newman's score and the recreation of the 80s to the very subtle but poignant touch of having the Twin Towers appear.
The script is out of this world - witty, sincere, affecting and - most importantly of all - so, so real. Tony Kushner touches every corner of our hearts with his words, always full of thought and meaning. He tackles important issues - AIDS, race, love - with tremendous understanding and sensitivity.
But without a doubt, the crowning triumph of the whole enterprise - and this is saying something, given the quality of all other facets - is the acting. From Al Pacino's heartless Roy Cohn to Meryl Streep's Rabbi/Mother Pitt to Emma Thompson's Angel/Nurse/Homeless Person, including Patrick Wilson, Justin Kirk, Ben Shenkman, Jeffrey Wright and (especially) Mary Louise Parker, there is no praise high enough. These surely must be performances of a lifetime, and I certainly cannot envisage a better ensemble.
Breathtaking. Outstanding. Out of this world.
See it.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life changing
I found this film very thought provoking,all the actors were superb,but Patrick wilson almost broke my heart with
his portrayal of a tortured sensitive man. Read more
his portrayal of a tortured sensitive man. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. Margaret L. Fletcher
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the wait....
I'd been meaning to watch this for a long time and it was worth the wait. There's some really stand out performances here especially from Al Pacino who's a force of nature from... Read more
Published 5 months ago by David Foy of Foy Media
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing series
This series is amazing. Give it 5 stars. I became addicted and watched the entire series in one day. Definately worth a watch for everyone. Read more
Published 5 months ago by ClockingTow
1.0 out of 5 stars
Completely Misleading - Huge Disapointment
I am writing this review for those of you who have no idea what this is. The language and swearing in this is outrageous. It was completely inappropriate for my intended audience. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Miss L
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing and deeply affecting.
I must say I'm surprised at all poor reviews on this film, which is I thought it necessary to add my two cents worth. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. A Baker
1.0 out of 5 stars
missing DVD from seller
One of the 2 DVDs in this 2 DVD pack was somehow left out. Very disappointed customer indeed. How could this happen given it's a 2 DVD box?? Arrived on time though. Crap service.
Published 14 months ago by A customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
very Good will watch again & again
Angels in America, I don't buy a lot of DVDs, but I missed this when it was aired on TV. Very enjoyable, great acting from all; Very pleased with this purchase. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Green
1.0 out of 5 stars
Yawn
I am constantly being amazed by the difference in people's tastes -- how so many people can rank this maudlin, overwritten, would-be profound mini-series as worth watching, let... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Bookman
1.0 out of 5 stars
Total disappointment
Can you be straight and enjoy this? I really didn't get the point at all. Watched 40 minutes and had to face the fact - this is a far cry from the wonderful HBO series Carnivale,... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Pippermor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I bought this from a DVD store without knowing what it was. I saw the cast listed on the back,the awards it had won, but nothing to indicate what the story was about. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2011 by Grumpy Cat
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