Mark Ruffalo
Matt Bomer
Taylor Kitsch
Jim Parsons
Alfred Molina
Julia Roberts

Larry Kramer

TV Movie
2014
Drama
HBO
TV-MA

“The Normal Heart” is an HBO TV-film adaptation of the Tony award-winning play of the same name. The film was adapted by Larry Kramer (who wrote the play, as well); he did a solid job of adapting his play, especially during the first half of the film.

At its beginning, the ‘80s era is on full display (director Ryan Murphy uses the era appropriately to add to the energy and look of the film). And, of course, the subject matter is introduced. Also, there’s one especially explicit moment during the first five minutes or so. So, if you don’t want to see explicit gay sex acts, you may want to fast-forward through those parts or skip this altogether. This film isn’t about explicit acts, though. Those acts are there in order to force the viewer to confront the events in an honest fashion. This film doesn’t shy away from its subject matter in any way, but it’s not trying to offend. There aren’t many of those moments, but they are there. With that said, I’ll move on to other things.

As I suggested earlier, the first half of “The Normal Heart” is stronger than its second half. The introduction of Julia Roberts’ Dr. Emma Brookner provides a welcome dose of cold water (a la Chandra Wilson’s Dr. Miranda Bailey during the early seasons of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” but without the comedy). She aids in the transition to a more serious tone, though something’s lurking beneath the surface from the very beginning, as shown through Ned Weeks’ reaction to the goings-on at Fire Island. Weeks is played with appropriate passion by the ever-reliable Mark Ruffalo.

Also during the first half, the pacing and editing are fairly brisk. This helps to lend credibility to the material in the context of a TV film instead of a theatrical play. The rhythms are right, and the use of sound (Ruffalo whipping his coat from a chair, slapping tables, etc.) is strong; the beats are clear, as a result. Some of that is lost during the film’s second half.

This film does have its fair share of theatrical moments, though (especially during its group scenes and monologues). But, overall, it doesn’t feel like a play; the second half slips a bit more into theatricality, though.

The acting, overall, is strong. Ruffalo’s character is the driving force here. And, as I mentioned before, Ruffalo goes for it. He’s well supported, especially by Roberts, Alfred Molina, and Jim Parsons (who has a nice feel for the material). At times though, Ruffalo’s performance overwhelms some of the other actors during the heightened moments, especially Matt Bomer and Taylor Kitsch (who needs to learn to release his voice during shouting matches). However, Roberts and Molina stick with Ruffalo rather well during his shouting matches. Their scenes with him have a bit more balance, as a result. On the other hand, it may be part of the plan that Bomer and Kitsch don’t quite match Ruffalo because of the character dynamics: Ned Weeks is written as a steamroller.

Again, while “The Normal Heart” loses some of its spark during its second half (there’s more screaming, and things become repetitive), there are some strong moments at the end. It just doesn’t reach the feverish, impassioned heights to which it aspires. However, it comes close enough to work for the most part, especially during the section regarding the death of Albert, the boyfriend of Kitsch’s character.

“The Normal Heart” appeals more to my intellect than to my emotions. There seems to be a barrier that it can’t quite cross: The TV film genre may be too constraining for this material to soar, or it may be that we’re too far removed from the AIDS crisis of the ‘80s. (HBO’s miniseries adaptation of “Angels in America” managed to break through the constraints of TV more successfully, though.) I’m sure that as a play, this material resonates a bit more. But, since we aren’t in the room with the actors, it’s harder for this film to pull us in. Again, it comes close. However, especially during the second half, the execution needs to be almost perfect for this to get and stay under your skin. It’s well-done and even well-adapted, but it’s not fully satisfying.

Verdict: Very Good to Good

About: (Source: normalheart)

Academy Award® nominee Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Emmy® winner Jim Parsons and Academy Award® winner Julia Roberts star in THE NORMAL HEART. Directed by Emmy® winner Ryan Murphy and written by Academy Award® nominee Larry Kramer, adapting his groundbreaking Tony Award-winning play of the same name, the drama tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, taking an unflinching look at the nation’s sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fight to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city and nation in denial. THE NORMAL HEART will debut on HBO on May 25 at 9 p.m.

Ruffalo portrays Ned Weeks, who witnesses first-hand a mysterious disease that has begun to claim the lives of many in his gay community and starts to seek answers. Matt Bomer plays Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Ned’s lover. Taylor Kitsch plays Bruce Niles, a closeted investment banker who becomes a prominent AIDS activist. Jim Parsons plays gay activist Tommy Boatwright, reprising his role from the 2011 Broadway revival. Roberts plays physician Dr. Emma Brookner, a survivor of childhood polio who treats several of the earliest victims of HIV-AIDS.

Kramer’s play debuted at New York’s Public Theatre in 1985 and was revived in Los Angeles and London, and off-Broadway. The 2011 Broadway revival garnered five Tony nominations, winning for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress.