Angels of America (2005)
Director - Mike Nichols
Screenwriter - Tony Kushner
Director of Photography - Stephen Goldblatt
I think it would be any director's dream come true to helm such a production because you are given such great actors to work with in the first place - Academy Award-winners like Al Pacino, Meryl Streep and Emma Thompson. I guess half of your hurdle is over, the rest, it is all up to you to mould and shape to make the best out of a film. Well, first of all, this HBO 6-episode series has an excellent screenplay to begin with. I have to salute Tony Kushner, who also 
wrote the play, for his writing is so poetic yet satirical and witty in so many ways, it works to subtly, with a blend of hit-you-right-on-your-face type of brutality towards reality and truthfulness in dealing with the issues of people who are living and surviving with AIDS and how human react in a homosexual environment. I love Al Pacino for his intense portrayal of this real life character called Roy Cohn. He plays it so bad to the bone that you could really hate his guts but somehow empathise with him in the struggle of his final moments confronting death in a hospital. I guess it shows that no matter how powerful and glorious a man can be when he is alive, ultimate fate does 
not grant him any exceptions in life. My most vivid memory of Meryl Streep was many years ago watching her in The Bridge of Madison County, those heartbreaking moments where the car she was in moves further and further away from the one she loves (Clint Eastwood), rain pouring outside, how sad indeed. I have always loved her acting (especially in The Hours). Here, she plays Hannah Pitt, the mother to Joe Pitt (played by Patrick Wilson), a guy who grew up in a strict religious family yet struggles with his own true sexual identity, as well as with his forever disillusioned wife, Harper (played by Mary-Louise Parker). She would always imagine herself traveling through different dimensions, with the help of a dream travel agent 
(also doubled by Jeffrey Wright). An interesting character to watch out for. Meryl Streep also plays another real life character, Ethel Rosenberg, a ghost who frequently visits Roy in the hospital to haunt him for the bad things he had done to her ,as well as the Rabbi. Emma Thompson looks stunningly beautiful in this film for she plays the ANGEL and nurse Emily. Those pair of wings flipping, her floating gently and gracefully in mid air and the hair blowing, all of these seem so surreal yet so real at the same time. Cinematography of the film is amazingly breathtaking! Of course, Jeffrey Wright's character, Belize intrigues me a lot for he plays a gay nurse so eloquently that I felt he was the single most level headed person in the entire film. He is also the person who navitages 
between the chaotic world of our two lead homosexual lovers - Prior Walter (played by Justin Kirk) and Luios Ironson (played by Ben Shenkman). When Prior was diagnosed with AIDS, Luios could not handle the truth and pressure and left Prior to deal with the ordeal. Hence, begins an unbelievable yet imaginative journey (and physical struggles) of Prior (mainly from his point of view) to deal with his ever deteriorating condition - the decaying of the body, mind, spirit 
and most importantly, hurt by the lost of love from the one he loved the most. Nonetheless, supports from his friends, Belize and later, Hannah keeps him going. A very down to earth yet philosophical look at some heavy issues in this century of humankind existence - ultimately, to find love and to be loved, no matter what sexual preferences one may have. I guess this is what each individual should be entitled for and should strive to attain in life. Definitely a must watch!
wrote the play, for his writing is so poetic yet satirical and witty in so many ways, it works to subtly, with a blend of hit-you-right-on-your-face type of brutality towards reality and truthfulness in dealing with the issues of people who are living and surviving with AIDS and how human react in a homosexual environment. I love Al Pacino for his intense portrayal of this real life character called Roy Cohn. He plays it so bad to the bone that you could really hate his guts but somehow empathise with him in the struggle of his final moments confronting death in a hospital. I guess it shows that no matter how powerful and glorious a man can be when he is alive, ultimate fate does not grant him any exceptions in life. My most vivid memory of Meryl Streep was many years ago watching her in The Bridge of Madison County, those heartbreaking moments where the car she was in moves further and further away from the one she loves (Clint Eastwood), rain pouring outside, how sad indeed. I have always loved her acting (especially in The Hours). Here, she plays Hannah Pitt, the mother to Joe Pitt (played by Patrick Wilson), a guy who grew up in a strict religious family yet struggles with his own true sexual identity, as well as with his forever disillusioned wife, Harper (played by Mary-Louise Parker). She would always imagine herself traveling through different dimensions, with the help of a dream travel agent (also doubled by Jeffrey Wright). An interesting character to watch out for. Meryl Streep also plays another real life character, Ethel Rosenberg, a ghost who frequently visits Roy in the hospital to haunt him for the bad things he had done to her ,as well as the Rabbi. Emma Thompson looks stunningly beautiful in this film for she plays the ANGEL and nurse Emily. Those pair of wings flipping, her floating gently and gracefully in mid air and the hair blowing, all of these seem so surreal yet so real at the same time. Cinematography of the film is amazingly breathtaking! Of course, Jeffrey Wright's character, Belize intrigues me a lot for he plays a gay nurse so eloquently that I felt he was the single most level headed person in the entire film. He is also the person who navitages between the chaotic world of our two lead homosexual lovers - Prior Walter (played by Justin Kirk) and Luios Ironson (played by Ben Shenkman). When Prior was diagnosed with AIDS, Luios could not handle the truth and pressure and left Prior to deal with the ordeal. Hence, begins an unbelievable yet imaginative journey (and physical struggles) of Prior (mainly from his point of view) to deal with his ever deteriorating condition - the decaying of the body, mind, spirit and most importantly, hurt by the lost of love from the one he loved the most. Nonetheless, supports from his friends, Belize and later, Hannah keeps him going. A very down to earth yet philosophical look at some heavy issues in this century of humankind existence - ultimately, to find love and to be loved, no matter what sexual preferences one may have. I guess this is what each individual should be entitled for and should strive to attain in life. Definitely a must watch!
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