LGBTIQ – The Secret Cinephile

As a film treatment for a landmark TV mini-series, this is film marmite – you’ll love it or hate it. If you want a light and frothy sex in the city omnibus this is not it. Many will find it hard watching and overly long, but if you others will revel in the space to develop characters and themes. If you only watch the first half an hour you will have seen one of the best pieces of acting I can remember – so good it took me by surprise – no spoilers, but after you’ve watched it see who plays the Rabbi.
For me, it was a beautifully acted and intellectually deep production. Honest and well-balanced characterisations. Telling a story of epic proportions, this tackles the rise of the AIDS crisis in the early to mid-1980s. Given the subject matter, it achieves a masterful mix of tragic insight and bitter-sweet comedy. Impossible to pick out a single actor as this is a true ensemble piece. Heartbreaking in its honesty and at times hopelessness of a character, but balanced with a vivacious joy for life and unwillingness to be defeated.

It does take effort to watch this for many reasons but the quality of the writing, acting and production values are none of them. I for one have been given an insight into humanity that at its best is a spark of pure genius. Highly recommended but allow time to watch and consider, it’s something that will stay with you.

Media Available: DVDto buy/stream Angels in America (Play)

Secret Cinephile Score: 89
1 line takeaway: A bright, funny and honest remake – better than most.

In general terms, I’m not a fan of remakes. There is an inherent laziness that disappoints me in terms of imagination and innovation. As a broad brush statement, studios only want to remake iconic and hugely popular films that could be a refreshed cash cow. I would have thought obviously, those are exactly the films that should not be remade. So my starting position is declared.

That said, if you have a sense of humour, have ever laughed or think you may have unknowingly smiled then get this DVD. The purists may not like the ‘staged’ quality but for pure laughs and entertainment its a winner.

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick work well together although you do sense, its familiar territory for Lane. It should be and if you were fortunate enough to see him in the stage production, this will feel like revisiting a familiar friend (in the main).

Whilst Matthew Broderick is good and would be a safe name for any studio, for me he wasn’t as manic, self-absorbed and ultimately funny as either Gene Wilder or Lee Evans from the stage production.

This set a trend from me. Nathan Lane is fabulous but I miss the pure lucheness of Zero Mostel. For me there are one or two questionable casting decisions in the supporting cast. If you have nothing to compare it with, then the probability is you’d enjoy it thoroughly. Ultimately not quite as good as the original but overall not bad for a remake and one of the few I can watch and enjoy.

Media Available: DVD to buy/stream The original version Broadway Cast Recording

Category: LGBTIQ

Angels in America (2003)

The Producers (2005)