The Normal Heart (2014)

A gay activist attempts to raise H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. awareness during the early 1980s.

Director:

Ryan Murphy

Writers:

Larry Kramer (screenplay), Larry Kramer (play)

Stars:

Mark Ruffalo, Jonathan Groff, Frank De Julio

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 28 wins & 55 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Ruffalo	...	Ned Weeks
Jonathan Groff	...	Craig
Frank De Julio	...	Nick
William DeMeritt	...	Nino
Taylor Kitsch	...	Bruce Niles
Joe Mantello	...	Mickey Marcus
Sean Meehan	...	Morton
Stephen Spinella	...	Sanford
Jill Melanie Wirth	...	Receptionist
BD Wong	...	Buzzy
Julia Roberts	...	Dr. Emma Brookner
Jim Parsons	...	Tommy Boatwright
Adam B. Shapiro	...	Bella (as Adam Shapiro)
John Mainieri	...	John
Matt Bomer	...	Felix Turner

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | gay men's health crisis | hiv | aids epidemic | new york city | 

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Taglines:

To win a war, you have to start one.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jim Parsons went to Klein Oak High School, while Matt Bomer went to the nearby Klein High School. Julia Roberts was previously married to Lyle Lovett, who also went to Klein High School.

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Goofs

When Ned and his friends are trying to collect money for "Gay Cancer" in the park, the 3 quarters one donor throws down are all from the State Quarter Series, which was begun by the US Mint in 1999.

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Quotes

Ben Weeks: We have a difference of opinion over theory.
Ned Weeks: But your theory turns me into a man from Mars. My theory doesn't do that to you.
Ben Weeks: Are you suggesting I did something wrong in sending you into therapy so young? I didn't know you were gonna stay there forever!
Ned Weeks: I didn't think that I had done anything wrong until you sent me there!

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Julia Roberts/Andy Cohen/Ron Funches (2014)

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Soundtracks

Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
Written by Mikey Craig (as Michael Emile Craig), Roy Hay (as Roy Ernest Hay), Jon Moss (as Jonathan Aubrey Moss), Boy George (as George Alan O'Dowd)
Performed by Culture Club
Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd.
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Flawless

I never cry when watching movies or reading books but this one really got to me. I believe it was an important story that needed to be told. The movie was brought alive by amazing actors (especially Matt Bomer<3) I really do hope that this movie is taken seriously and gets more attention due to the fact that more people need to know about AIDs awareness and because discrimination and segregation still happens within the gay community which I find absolutely disgusting. If we really did believe in equal rights and all that BS we wouldn't be shunning gay people. And for those of you who are saying only gay people can enjoy this movie that is so stupid. I'm 100% straight and loved this definitely I my top 10 fav movies:) I definitely recommend watching this movie!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Normal Heart

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Plan B Entertainment, Blumhouse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White (archive material) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1