NYT Reviews The Normal Heart

[elrhiarhodan]

The New York Times review of The Normal Heart is up (finally). It's not as glowing as some (okay, most), but that is - in a way - better. The review never takes its eye off history, not only of the AIDS crisis, but the history of the play, of Larry Kramer, of the history of gay life in New York in the late '70s and early '80s.

And as such, it doesn't quite forgive The Normal Heart for being a polemic instead of a drama. But that's okay. Because it has this to say about Matt Bomer's performance:

The film also underscores the manipulative parts of the piece, especially when characters we barely know die. Characters die all the time on television, of course, but these days, it’s generally to jolting effect, because we have come to know them over multiple episodes. This “Normal Heart” can feel a bit dehumanizing, as if it’s introducing characters only to kill them in hopes of wringing some tears out of us. Television viewers today are not likely to cry on command like this; they’re used to fuller portrayals.

There is one amazing exception: the character of Felix, Ned’s lover, a reporter at The New York Times. We do come to know Felix, and Matt Bomer, who portrays him, makes sure we understand just what AIDS meant to this character and, by extension, to thousands of gay men who suffered and died in this period. Shooting on the film reportedly stopped for some time while Mr. Bomer lost 40 pounds to portray Felix after he has come down with the disease. It’s a frightening thing to see, and an example of how Mr. Kramer and Mr. Murphy take one of the play’s strong points and, through the flexibility afforded by film, make it even more powerful.

The Normal Heart, New York Times, May 22, 2014

Comments

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Reviews seem a little mixed, but everyone is praising Matt's performance.
At least he didn't lose those 40 pounds for nothing!
I'm happy for him. He seemed to have put of lot of himself into this role and he's getting lots of recognition for it.

[joy2190.livejournal.com]

The countdown to Sunday is starting to feel a bit frenzied in our household!

[jo1968.livejournal.com]

Mine too!

[sapphire2309]

eeee!!! :DDDD

I can't wait for June 9th!!!! (which is when I will watch the movie - damned exams.)

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

This review of Matt's performance and the following interview are amazing.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/05/21/matt-bomer-tells-the-personal-story-behind-his-heartbreaking-normal-heart-performance.html

[pooh-collector.livejournal.com]

That article was wonderful. Thanks so much sharing the link.

[sinfulslasher]

This movie will break my heart. I just know it will.

I did see 1 (!!!) rather negative review just this morning, mostly lamenting that the movie is way too late. What does that have to do with the performances or the story or what it will teach? Keeping in mind that many people weren't even born in the early 80's, I think this movie is now more important than ever! It'll educate and hopefully rattle some cages.

I'm not saying we should blow sugar up everyone's ass, but let's be objective here and praise where praise is due. And I for one am convinced that Matt alone will blow everyone's mind with his performance.

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting. After checking into the hotel last night, I turned on HBO this morning just to check it out. Surprise, no HBO! Fortunately it was a glitch and the TV is now re-programmed and ready for Sunday night.

[deej1957.livejournal.com]

This has got to be the LONGEST, SLOWEST week EVER.