The Normal Heart

[shadowfireflame]

Whoa, if you haven't yet had the chance to see The Normal Heart, an HBO TV movie about the roots of activists fighting the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s, please run, do not walk. So important and relevant.

In it, Mark Ruffalo plays a gay activist who, along with his friends in the medical community (notably Julia Roberts) and fellow activists, recognizes AIDS as an epidemic that needs urgent attention and action. He and his organization then face agonizing frustration, prejudice, negligence, fear, and damning apathy from a government that seems to not care about its citizens who are dying.

This is an absolute must-see for White Collar fans, as well, because Matt Bomer (who plays Ruffalo's lover) completely steals the show and was by far the acting stand-out in this TV movie that received heaps of acting Emmy nominations. He goes through a physical transformation that is so painful and upsetting to watch. He's absolutely the heart and soul of the movie.

Highly, highly recommended.

Comments

[sunshine304]

I've heard a lot of good things about this movie. It'll premiere here in October at a young LGBT film festival (they'll show it during a work week so I'll likely won't be able to watch it there), so I'm crossing my fingers that cinemas will take it on in their indy and masterpiece series. The there's still the small arthouse cinemas.

We got "Behind the Candelabra" in our cinemas, too, even at a big one close by, so it's likely that we'll get "The Normal heart" as well.

I've also heard of the movie "Pride", a British production, that's also earning a lot of good feedback (Billy Nighy, Imelda Staunton and Paddy Considine are among the cast) and which I'd love to see. It's about the miners' strike in a Welsh town; the protesters get support from the local gay community - true story.

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope they have it in cinemas where you are! And I look forward to seeing Pride as well. That one looks very good!

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Oh, I forgot to mention that if it doesn't come to cinemas, it is available on DVD now, so at least that's an option (I always check with my local library, which usually gets the newest DVDs). :)

[sunshine304]

I'm sure it'll be out here on DVD if nothing else. But they're showing "Begin again" right now and some other stuff that's quite arthous-y so I'm in good spirit. :)

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

I've seen the play, which is amazing, but not had a chance to see this - not terribly fond of either of the two leads, so that's probably why. But happy to hear that it's good, might give it a go when I've more time :)

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Hee, well, I adore Matt Bomer, but I actually thought everyone was very good in it. I'd be curious as to how it's different than the play!

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

Another one to add to the list, I think. You make it sound really good, and it's a topic worth learning a more about. Now I just have to find the time.

Is this in theaters, or should I be looking for a place to buy it online?

Btw, I've seen "Pride" and found it very moving and interesting. So sunshine304, you have my encouragement to check it out if you can.

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

I actually saw it on DVD. I was interested because of my adoration for Matt Bomer, of course, but also because it was up for so many Emmy awards in the same category as Sherlock (so it has to be good, was my reasoning!). :)

I will try to see Pride as soon as I can; it sounds great!