Angels in America

Angels in America (2003) 

For me, an absolutely breathtaking American miniseries that got me right at the beginning with a beautiful opening theme and only let me go at the end. But I'll have to wait a long time to catch my breath. I've been given loads of good material to think about. In this epic narrative, several issues are articulated and addressed at once, and all of them are quite popular today – religion, AIDS, homosexuality. If anyone wants to know more about how AIDS works, just check this out. The cast and performances are stunning, and the 2004 Golden Globes and Emmys landed in the right hands of amazing performers. I don't know who I would single out above the others because they all performed convincingly and, more importantly, from the heart. I may not have liked Ben Shenkman at times, though. The visual effects are a bit cheesy and too artificial, but perfectly appropriate and sufficient for a miniseries. I don't have words for the cinematography, because some of the shots I just can't get out of my head. For example, the fiery sex with the polygenital angel. And then, of course, the unmissable musical aspect, in which the opening tune of Angels in America and then the rather similar “The Mormons” stood out. In short, for me a rather essential work, unforgettable, full of emotion and mystery, which I will remember for a long time. And it's really a shame for those who condemn it right from the start, because they're missing out on a lot. (22/05/2010)