The Normal Heart

Ryan Murphy's triumphantly affecting film adaption of Larry Kramer's scalding play "The Normal Heart" is a success on many levels. While Murphy has had much success in TV with a number of hit shows, the critics have blasted them for having narrative problems. His film adaptations have been varied, the best being "Eat Pray Love." So with his latest, he seems to have found where his strengths lie.

Murphy has rounded up a stellar cast of actors including Mark Ruffalo ("The Kids are Alright"), Matt Bomer ("White Collar"), Julia Roberts, Jim Parsons ("Big Bang Theory"), and many more - most of whom are Emmy nominated. Along with Kramer (who wrote the screenplay) they have created a hell of a film for one hell of a story.

From the production design of the early 80's NYC to the pitch-perfect performances, there are hardly any missteps here. It's an important work made accessible and enlightening, while also remaining incredibly heart wrenching to watch.

It might be hard for some people, gay or straight, to imagine the horror show that occurred when AIDS first came on the scene. So for them, watching the film might seem a test of endurance and they might question the validity of everything that went down. But as Kramer states in "How to Win a War," the 9-minute feature included on the Blu-ray disc (the only Extra), this is not only a true story, it's his story.

While this might not be a film you beg to watch again and again, for fans of acting this is a prime showcase for a number of performers. It's also a history lesson. So it might be worth putting on your shelf if only for that one person that comes over that just doesn't get how far we've come - and how far we have to go. You need but simply pull it from the shelf and hand over your "Heart."

"The Normal Heart"
Blu-ray / Digital HD Combo pack
$24.99
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