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 27 wins & 54 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

new york city | gay | gay writer | fear of weakness | playwright | 

---

Taglines:

To win a war, you have to start one.

---

Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

---

Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Det normala hjärtat

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jim Parsons, who plays Tommy, also played the part in the 2011 Broadway revival, making him the only actor to reprise his role. His co-stars included Ellen Barkin, Lee Pace, John Benjamin Hickey, and Luke McFarlane.

---

Goofs

In the house at Fire Island a Baseball game is seen on the TV which Bruce mentions. In the summer of 1981 however there was a long MLB strike from June 12th through August 9th, 1981 during which time that scene presumably is set and no games were played.

---

Quotes

Felix Turner: You cannot force the goddamn sun to come out!

---

Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Steve Buscemi/Taylor Kitsch/Jon Rineman (2015)

---

Soundtracks

Waiting on a Friend
Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
Performed by The Rolling Stones
Courtesy of Promotone B.V.

User Reviews

Tragic Story about the Early Days of the AIDS Epidemic

The Normal Heart is powerful emotional film about the early days of the AIDS crisis. While the characters are fictionalized, the events and the struggles are all too real. The film provides a valuable history lesson for those too young to remember the politics and emotions of the early days of the AIDS epidemic. The film dramatizes the criminal neglect of both the Reagan administration and Ed Koch's administration in New York City. It shows the complexity of the struggles within the gay community as they tried to come to grips with an epidemic while still trying to challenge a culture that barely acknowledged their existence. In many ways, the film dramatizes just how far we have come and still suggests that we have a long way to go. Some scenes are simply heart-breaking. The film is well-acted particularly by Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Alfred Molina and Julia Roberts. HBO has shown again that it is in the forefront of bringing socially conscious drama to the screen and for that they should be commended. I recommend the film to all who are willing to watch with an open heart.