ANGELS IN AMERICA (2003): "A Gay Fantasia on National Themes"

This Mike Nichols-directed HBO film based on Tony Kushner's prize-winning play is an astonishing mix of philosophy, politics, and gay soap opera. Various plotlines weave around a gay couple, Prior (Justin Kirk) and Louis (Ben Shenkman), whose relationship crumbles when Prior contracts AIDS and starts having fever-fueled religious visions of an angel (Emma Thompson) proclaiming Prior to be a prophet. Unable to cope, Louis flees and starts a relationship with Joe (Patrick Wilson), a closeted Mormon who works for Roy Cohn (Al Pacino), the venomous right-wing lawyer notorious for his ruthless behind-the-scenes machinations and gay-bashing, himself deeply closeted. Other characters include Joe's depressed and hallucinating wife (Mary Louise Parker) and stern but open-minded mother (Meryl Streep), a caustic drag queen/nurse (Jeffrey Wright) friends with both Prior and Louis, and the gloating ghost of Ethel Rosenberg (also Streep), whose conviction of spying and subsequent execution, and her husband's, resulted from Cohn's prosecution. Be prepared: ANGELS is a complex, dialogue-heavy tale that requires rapt attention and perhaps a second viewing to fully appreciate its breadth and depth. For me, it was a moving experience worth it every minute of the six hours.