Short review: Angels in America (2003) (mini)

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 3:39pm

I have just finished watching the award-winning miniseries, "Angels in America". After those 6 hours spent in front of my television, I have only one word: "Wow". Words cannot fully express how wonderful this play is. So, I won't even try.

I can, however, comment on the performances. After years of watching Al Pacino (Roy Cohn), I must say that this is probably his best performance. I mean... He was amazing; Mean, nasty, delusional, hilarious, etc. Meryl Streep (Hannah Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg/The Rabbi/The Angel Australia), like Pacino, impressed me endlessly. Playing four characters (and practically unrecognizable in each of them) is a testament to Streep's unbeatable talent. Emma Thompson (The Angel of America/Nurse Emily/Homeless Woman) was appropriately threatening and humorous as The Angel, and she has never looked more beautiful.

Justin Kirk (Prior Walter), Ben Shankman (Louis Ironson), Jeffrey Wright (Belize), and especially Mary-Louise Parker (Harper Pitt) were all simply wonderful. All of them. But the standout out, for me, was Patrick Wilson (Joe Pitt). I mean... I knew he was a good actor and all, but holy sh*t. Why didn't he win an Emmy?! I followed Joe through all of the steps of his rough journey, and Wilson never missed a beat.

Several scenes stood out to me:
-Harper asks Joe about his 'secret'.
-Hannah asks a homeless woman for directions.
-Roy's forgiveness scene.
-Belize tells Roy what Heaven is like.
-Prior goes to Heaven to discuss his fate.
-The argument/brawl between Joe and Louis.
-Prior's final monologue, addressing the audience (Absolutely beautiful. I had tears streaming down my face).

With insightful and exciting direction by Mike Nichols, Tony Kushner's superb script, and a cast from the heavens, "Angels in America" must be seen by EVERYONE, and I am ashmed that I didn't see it sooner. Updated On: 10/18/04 at 03:39 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 3:40pm

Wasn't Wilson competing against Wright? If so, the best man won.

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 3:45pm

I'm happy that you think so (and I'm not being sarcastic). For me, Wilson was pretty much the heart of the film.

[Plum]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 3:46pm

That's the thing- I think Wilson acted well, but wrong. He was very charismatic and sympathetic, but I don't think his character should have been that sympathetic. He was a bit of a bastard (as was almost everyone in the play at some point.)

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 3:47pm

maybe I am picky and notice small things, buta m I the only who noticed that in a few of the angel scenes, you could see the wire rigging, most prominently at her hips where the fly wires attached to her harness.

I LOVE AIA

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 3:48pm

When I said 'heart', I meant more along the lines of 'the core' of the film.

I have read the play (as I am sure you have, as well) and I believe Wilson was terrific. Updated On: 10/18/04 at 03:48 PM

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 3:59pm

BG2, you are supposed to.
In the script, Kushner writes that the wires should be visible, but the effect still magical.
-d.b.j-

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:02pm

I KNOW that is how it is in the stage version.....


but that conceit didn't exist in the film.. and it was only partial. SOME of it was edited out, but some of it they missed. It wasn't in every shot, but in a few....

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:03pm

Broadwayguy2 --

In Kushner's notes for the play, he says explicitly that the wires for the Angel should show and be obvious. It emphasizes the theatricality of the scene, but more than that, helps show that the Angel's hateful, ultraconservative, socially regressive message is coming from a fake and corrupted source -- this is not God speaking, but a evil bastardization of a cherished symbol of good; the Angel purports to be speaking for some higher power, but is, in fact, evil personfied (aka Reagan).

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:05pm

Marry me, Margo.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 10/18/04 at 4:08pm

She's a maid who would marry and would take with no qualm, any Nugg, Gov or Priesty, any Priesty, Gov, or Nugg... Updated On: 10/18/04 at 04:08 PM