The Normal Heart (2014)
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A writer/activist fights to raise awareness of the burgeoning HIV/AIDS crisis in 1980s New York City.
The story
In the summer of 1981, openly gay writer Ned Weeks travels to Fire Island where his friend Craig Donner collapses and later dies from a mysterious illness. Returning to New York City, Ned discovers a pattern of rare diseases appearing in gay men and meets Dr. Emma Brookner, who asks for his help in raising awareness. Ned organizes a gathering to share information about the sexually transmissible illness, which he believes is a crisis. He eventually establishes the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) to provide services and research, while navigating internal conflicts over his aggressive tactics and developing a romantic relationship with reporter Felix Turner.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1981, Ned Weeks' friend Craig Donner dies after collapsing at a beach house on Fire Island. Ned learns of a 'Rare Cancer' affecting homosexuals and meets Dr. Emma Brookner, who identifies the illness as potentially sexually transmissible. Ned organizes a community meeting and subsequently helps found the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) with friends like Bruce Niles, Mickey Marcus, and Tommy Boatwright. While the organization provides counseling and research, Ned faces friction for his combative advocacy style. He also begins a relationship with reporter Felix Turner. As the disease, now called AIDS, ravages the community, Bruce's boyfriend Albert dies in Phoenix after being refused transport by an airline. Felix eventually contracts the disease and dies, leaving his estate to Ned. Ned later reflects on the crisis while visiting his alma mater, Yale, observing the freedom of the younger generation.
- First release year
- 2014
- Runtime (minutes)
- 132
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ryan Murphy
- Writers
- Larry Kramer · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Mark Ruffalo · Alexander "Ned" Weeks; Matt Bomer · Felix Turner; Taylor Kitsch · Bruce Niles; Jim Parsons · Tommy Boatwright; Alfred Molina · Ben Weeks; Julia Roberts · Dr. Emma Brookner; Joe Mantello · Michael R. "Mickey" Marcus; Jonathan Groff · Craig Donner
- Genres
- Drama
- Themes
- HIV/AIDS crisis; LGBTQ activism; Community organization; Grief; Government neglect
- Tone and mood
- Drama; Heartbreaking; Incendiary; Poetic; Profound
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical Drama; LGBTQ+; Medical Drama; Based on a Play
- Source material / true-story basis
- Larry Kramer's 1985 play of the same name
- Reception
- The film received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for the screenplay, drama, moral messages, production values, and performances. It received universal acclaim from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 94% · review count: 50
- Production trivia
- Matt Bomer lost 40 pounds to show the ravages of AIDS on his character.; Mark Ruffalo initially argued that a gay actor should have the role of Ned Weeks.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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