[Ronald Epstein]

Angels In America became the most talked about
television event of the past year. I know this because
with as much as television I don't watch, I could not
avoid the praises being given to this miniseries by
critics everywhere.

It was something I knew sooner or later I would have
to watch.

Amazingly, HBO sent me a screener copy a few weeks ago.

After immersing myself in this 6-hour miniseries over
the course of two days I have some opinions of what
I saw....

To begin, I think the acting performances by the
cast ensemble is outstanding -- mostly thanks to the
film's brilliant script and direction under
Mike Nichols (The Graduate). You can't possibly
go wrong with a cast that includes Meryl Streep,
Emma Thompson, Mary-Louise Parker and Al Pacino.

Speaking of Al Pacino, I think this is the finest
performance I have seen from the actor to date.

As superb a miniseries this was, the only stumbling
block I found with this movie was its subject matter
which is set in the mid 1980s and deals with people
affected by the AIDS virus.

I don't consider myself to be homophobic, but it
is a bit difficult to watch a film that so vividly
portrays gay lifestyles including a shocking
sexual encounter in a city park. I think any
heterosexual who watches this sort of material
being so blatantly presented to them in this manner
is naturally going to cringe.

Still, I was oddly intrigued by Angels in America,
a well-crafted film with dialogue and performances that
are nothing short of top-notch. This is one of those
rare films that manages to captivate its viewers
on acting alone. I found it very difficult to walk away
from this series for any prolonged period of time.

Despite your personal feelings towards the subject
matter this is a miniseries that should be placed
at the top of your "must see" list. It is a viewing
experience that you will soon not forget.

[Steve Phillips]

I found the acting to be superb, but the movie (and the play before it) is far too pretentious for its own good.

I wasn't shocked or upset by the subject matter.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone other than fans of the actors.

I'd recommend LATTER DAYS instead. It is far more entertaining and less self important.