Queereaders discussion

Has anyone seen The Normal Heart, starring Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer and Julia Roberts?

The film was not without flaws, but I'm really glad I watched it. I'm just surprised it took so long for someone to make a movie about Larry Kramer's play that focuses on the AIDS crisis in NY from 1981-1984 and premiered in 1985.

The film was so powerful and important that I hate to gripe about little things, but I will. As much as I adore Jim Parsons in The Big Bang Theory, I felt he was miscast in this movie. His acting was wooden and the scenes when he pulled out the rolodex cards of his friends who died could have had much more emotional impact. The relationship between Ned and Felix was portrayed stunningly. Felix' physical changes were realistic and devastating. It brought back very painful memories of my best friend's illness and death in 1995. I'm glad the film acknowledged that women also died of AIDS. I just wished that more mention had been made of women who loved and supported the men who died and those who had an impact on health and politics. I don't think Julia Roberts made a convincing doctor. Oh, and I also loved the relationship between Ned and his brother. The performances by both actors were brilliant.

Thoughts?

I don't have HBO, so I won't get to see this until it comes to Netflix, although I'm looking forward to it.

It's interesting that you didn't care for Jim Parsons' performance. From what I understand, he played the same role when it was on Broadway a few years ago. The production was well received and won a couple of Tony awards, so I'm not surprised that that The Normal Heart made its way to film now, belated though it may be.

I did love the eulogy he delivered, but mostly I just kept seeing Sheldon Cooper and expected him to say something that would make me laugh.

I can see that. My mother is a HUGE BBT fan, and she's always a little disappointed when Parsons does an interview and seems like a normal-ish person. Sheldon Cooper leaves a strong impression.

I saw it and it was very moving. I almost cried in the end. Matt Bomer was excellent in it.

I cried numerous times.

Jim Parsons On 'The Normal Heart' And His Own Coming Out Experience

Jim Parsons, co-starring in "The Normal Heart," the powerful, emotionally wrenching HBO film adaptation of Larry Kramer’s searing play about the very first few years of the AIDS epidemic (debuting May 25), talked about that day in 2012 when he matter-of-factly came out as gay in The New York Times — and the rest of the world treated it much less than matter-of-factly, the interview sparking lots of commentary about the new trend in celebrities coming out quietly.

Rest of article here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05...

Anyone have any pithy comments about the play's cover art? I've always thought that it was striking image (crying over spilt milk) but NOT really in keeping with any of the GMHC folk's POVs, no? And not really the message that the rest of the play portrays.

Nancy wrote: "I did love the eulogy he delivered, but mostly I just kept seeing Sheldon Cooper and expected him to say something that would make me laugh."

:-) He's has type cast himself, I fear. I really like this movie. Chris has problems with AIDS movies, "We've seen to many of them..."

I've neglected Ruffalo, but the more I learn about him, the better I like him. I like that Bomer is an out and popular actor, but don't think he's as good at his craft as Ruffalo.

Kernos wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I did love the eulogy he delivered, but mostly I just kept seeing Sheldon Cooper and expected him to say something that would make me laugh."

:-) He's has type cast himself, I fear. ..."

Ruffalo is great! I've liked him ever since You Can Count On Me so many years ago - no gay themes in that movie, but some fantastic, non-showy performances.