This film portrays the period 1981-1984, during the onset of the AIDS epidemic in the USA. First off, I must point out that I'm straight and may have a very different slant on this movie. Although the subject matter is indeed important and well portrayed it struggled at times to hold my interest due to it being far too long. I recall the hysteria of those times and even living in Australia, we quickly became aware of just how dangerous this may have become if no action was taken. Everybody was affected. Gays, straights, recipients of blood transfusions and medical staff were all at risk. I recall at time thinking why is so little being done about this.
Mark Ruffalo did an admirable job in the lead role as writer, Ned Weeks and Julia Roberts was incredible as the polio stricken, plain spoken doctor who was so frustrated watching all these men die. The majority of the cast did a great job, except for Jim Parsons. He clearly struggles with drama, was way out of his depth and should stick to comedy.
So although the story should be watched by everybody under 25, I feel it was just too long and would have been far more accessible if they had of cut 20-30 minutes off it.
Mark Ruffalo did an admirable job in the lead role as writer, Ned Weeks and Julia Roberts was incredible as the polio stricken, plain spoken doctor who was so frustrated watching all these men die. The majority of the cast did a great job, except for Jim Parsons. He clearly struggles with drama, was way out of his depth and should stick to comedy.
So although the story should be watched by everybody under 25, I feel it was just too long and would have been far more accessible if they had of cut 20-30 minutes off it.