Angels in America (miniseries) explained

Director:Mike Nichols
Theme Music Composer:Thomas Newman
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Episodes:6
Producer:Celia D. Costas
Cinematography:Stephen Goldblatt
Runtime:352 minutes
Network:HBO
Budget:$60 million

Angels in America is a 2003 American HBO miniseries directed by Mike Nichols and based on the Pulitzer Prize–winning 1991 play of the same name by Tony Kushner. Set in 1985, the film revolves around six New Yorkers whose lives intersect. At its core, it is the fantastical story of Prior Walter, a gay man living with AIDS who is visited by an angel. The film explores a wide variety of themes, including Reagan era politics, the spreading AIDS epidemic, and a rapidly changing social and political climate.[1] [2]

HBO broadcast the film in various formats: two three-hour chunks that correspond to Millennium Approaches and Perestroika, further divided into six one-hour "chapters" that roughly correspond to an act or two of each of these plays; the first three chapters ("Bad News", "In Vitro", and "The Messenger") were initially broadcast on December 7, 2003, to international acclaim, with the final three chapters ("Stop Moving!", "Beyond Nelly", and "Heaven, I'm in Heaven") following.

Angels in America was the most-watched made-for-cable film in 2003, and earned much critical acclaim and numerous accolades: at the 56th Primetime Emmy Awards, it became the first of only three programs in Emmy history (along with Schitt's Creek in 2020, and The Crown in 2021) to sweep every major eligible category, and won all four acting categories. It also won in all five eligible categories at the 61st Golden Globe Awards. In 2006, The Seattle Times listed the series among "Best of the filmed AIDS portrayals" on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of AIDS.[3]

Plot

Millennium Approaches

It is 1985, Ronald Reagan is in the White House, and AIDS is causing mass death in the Americas. In Manhattan, Prior Walter tells Louis, his lover of four years, that he has AIDS; Louis, unable to handle it, leaves him. As disease and loneliness ravage Prior, guilt invades Louis. Joe Pitt, a Mormon and Republican attorney, is pushed by right-wing fixer Roy Cohn toward a job at the US Department of Justice. Both Pitt and Cohn are in the closet: Pitt out of shame and religious turmoil, Cohn to preserve his power and image. Pitt's wife Harper is strung out on Valium, causing her to hallucinate constantly (sometimes jointly with Prior during his fever dreams) and she longs to escape from her sexless marriage. An angel with ulterior motives commands Prior to become a prophet.

Perestroika

Prior is helped in his decision by Joe's mother, Hannah, and Belize, a close friend and drag queen. Joe leaves his wife and goes to live with Louis, but the relationship does not work out because of ideological differences. Roy is diagnosed with AIDS early on and, as his life comes to a close, he is haunted by the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg. As the film continues, the lost souls come together to create bonds of love, loss, and loneliness and, in the end, discover forgiveness and overcome abandonment.[4] [5]

Cast

Soundtrack

See main article: Music from the HBO Film: Angels in America. The soundtrack of the series by Thomas Newman was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.[6]

Production

Cary Brokaw, executive producer of the series, worked for over ten years to bring the 1991 stage production to television, having first read it in 1989, before its first production. In 1993, Al Pacino committed to playing the role of Roy Cohn. In the meantime, a number of directors, including Robert Altman, were part of the project. Altman worked on the project in 1993 and 1994, before budget constraints forced him to move out, as few studios could risk producing two successive 150-minute movies at the cost of $40 million. Subsequently, Kushner tried squeezing the play into a feature film, at which he eventually failed, realizing there was "literally too much plot," and settling for the TV miniseries format. While Kushner continued adapting the play until the late 1990s, HBO Films stepped in as producer, allocating a budget of $60 million.[7]

Brokaw gave Mike Nichols the script while he was working with him on Wit (2001) starring Emma Thompson, who also co-adapted the play of the same title. The principal cast, including Meryl Streep, Pacino, and Thompson, having recently worked with Nichols, was immediately assembled by him. Though Ben Shenkman had previously portrayed Louis in the San Francisco A.C.T.'s production (as well as portraying Roy Cohn in the NYU graduate acting program's workshop of Perestroika prior to its Broadway opening),[8] Jeffrey Wright was the only original cast member to appear in the Broadway version, having won the 1994 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor for his stage performance.[9] The shooting started in May 2002, and after a 137-day schedule, ended in January 2003. Filming was done primarily at Kaufman Astoria Studios, New York City, with several pivotal scenes being shot on the streets of the city and at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. The Heaven sequence was shot at Hadrian's Villa, the Roman archaeological complex at Tivoli, Italy, dating early 2nd century.

Special effects in the series were by Richard Edlund (Star Wars trilogy), who created the two important Angel visitation sequences, as well as the opening sequence wherein the angel at the Bethesda Fountain opens its eyes in the end, signifying her "coming to life".[7] Costumer Martin Izquierdo was hired to design functioning wings for Thompson's Angel.[10]

Reception

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the series a 92% rating based on 24 reviews, with an average rating of 9.5/10. The critical consensus reads "In Angels of America, writer Tony Kushner and director Mike Nichols imaginatively and artistically deliver heavy, vital subject matter, colorfully imparted by a stellar cast."[11] The New York Times wrote that "Mike Nichols's television version is a work of art in itself."[12] According to a Boston Globe review, "director Mike Nichols, and a magnificent cast led by Meryl Streep have pulled a spellbinding and revelatory TV movie out of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning work" and that he "managed to make "Angels in America" thrive onscreen...".[13]

Awards and nominations

In 2004, Angels in America broke the record previously held by Roots for the most Emmys awarded to a miniseries in a single year by winning 11 awards from 21 nominations.[14] Angels in America became the first of only three programs (following by Schitt's Creek in comedy at the 72nd Emmy Awards and The Crown in drama at the 73rd Emmy Awards) to sweep every major category in Emmy history. It also joined Caesar's Hour, in 1957, as the only series to win all four main acting categories in one night.

Along with television miniseries Eleanor and Franklin, the series became one of the two most-honored programs in television history.[15] The record was broken four years later by John Adams at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards, which won 13 trophies from 23 nominations.[16]

Accolades for Angels in America
YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
2003Costume Designers Guild AwardsOutstanding Period/Fantasy Television SeriesAnn Roth[17]
Best Film Made for Cable TV Angels in America[18]
[19]
2004AARP Movies for Grownups AwardsBest TV Movie[20]
Top 10 TV Programs of the Year [21]
Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week,
Mini-Series or Pilot (Cable)		Stephen Goldblatt[22]
[23]
Art Directors Guild AwardsExcellence in Production Design Award – Television Movie or Mini-SeriesStuart Wurtzel, John Kasarda,
Stefano Maria Ortolani, Hinju Kim,
David Stein, and Tom Warren		[24]
Critics' Choice AwardsBest Picture Made for Television Angels in America[25]
Directors Guild of America Awards[26]
Angels in America[27]
Golden Globe AwardsBest Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television[28]
[29]
Best Actor – Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionAl Pacino
Best Actress – Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionMeryl Streep
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionBen Shenkman
Patrick Wilson
Jeffrey Wright
Mary-Louise Parker
90 Minute or Longer Network or Syndicated TelevisionTony Kushner[30]
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding MiniseriesCary Brokaw, Celia D. Costas,
Mike Haley, and Mike Nichols		[31]
[32]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a MovieAl Pacino
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a MovieMeryl Streep
Emma Thompson
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a MovieJustin Kirk
Ben Shenkman
Patrick Wilson
Jeffrey Wright
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a MovieMary-Louise Parker
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic SpecialMike Nichols
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic SpecialTony Kushner
Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or MovieStuart Wurtzel, John Kasarda, and
George DeTitta Jr.
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a SpecialJuliet Taylor and Ellen Lewis
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a SpecialAnn Roth, Michelle Matland, and
Donna Maloney
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries, Movie or a SpecialDavid Brian Brown, Jasen Joseph Sica, and
Angel De Angelis
Outstanding Main Title DesignRandall Balsmeyer, J. John Corbett,
Jim Rider, and Amit Sethi
Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Non-Prosthetic)J. Roy Helland, Joseph A. Campayno,
John Caglione Jr., and Kelly Gleason
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a SpecialJohn Bloom and Antonia Van Drimmelen
Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a MovieLee Dichter, Ron Bochar, and James Sabat
Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Miniseries, Movie or a SpecialRichard Edlund, Ron Simonson,
Liz Ralston, Stefano Trivelli,
Don Greenberg, Lawrence Littleton,
Michele Moen, Steven Kirshoff, and
Gregory Jein
Producers Guild of America AwardsVisionary AwardMike Nichols and Cary Brokaw [33]
Satellite AwardsBest MiniseriesAngels in America [34]
Al Pacino
Best Actress – Miniseries or Television FilmMeryl Streep
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television FilmJustin Kirk
Patrick Wilson
Jeffrey Wright
Mary-Louise Parker
Emma Thompson
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television MovieAl Pacino[35]
Justin Kirk
Jeffrey Wright
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television MovieMeryl Streep
Mary-Louise Parker
Emma Thompson
Television Critics Association AwardsProgram of the YearAngels in America[36]
[37]
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials
Individual Achievement in DramaAl Pacino
2005Gracie AwardsOutstanding Entertainment Program – Drama SpecialAngels in America[38]
Individual Achievement Award – Outstanding Female Lead in a Drama SpecialMeryl Streep
Grammy Awards –
Thomas Newman		[39]
Producers Guild of America AwardsDavid L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form TelevisionMike Nichols, Cary Brokaw,
Celia D. Costas, and Michael Haley 		[40]
Writers Guild of America AwardsLong Form – AdaptedTony Kushner – Based on his play[41]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20071018120600/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/299769/Angels-in-America/overview Angels in America:Overview
  2. Encyclopedia: Bell . Chris . Gerstner . David A. . American AIDS Film . Routledge International Encyclopedia of Queer Culture . 1 . 28–29 . . English . 2006 . 9780415306515 . 2022-06-15.
  3. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003079432_filmaids25.html An AIDS anniversary: 25 years in the arts
  4. http://www.film4.com/reviews/2003/angels-in-america-part-one Part one
  5. http://www.film4.com/reviews/2003/angels-in-america-part-two Part two
  6. Web site: Thomas Newman . . December 18, 2021.
  7. Book: Edgerton, Gary Richard. The essential HBO reader. Jeffrey P. Jones. 2008. 10. Angels in America. University Press of Kentucky. 978-0-8131-2452-0. 136 . https://books.google.com/books?id=odSAPSA1JFEC&pg=PA135 .
  8. News: Buckley . Michael . STAGE TO SCREENS: HBO's "Angels in America" Plus a Chat with "Angels" Co-star Ben Shenkman . 15 June 2018 . Playbill . 26 Nov 2003.
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318997/trivia Trivia
  10. News: Swerdloff . Alexis . Martin Izquierdo, Costumer . 27 February 2020 . New York Magazine . 30 Oct 2013.
  11. Web site: Angels in America. Flixster. Rotten Tomatoes. November 21, 2014.
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/17/arts/television/critics-choice-movies.html Critics Choice:Movies
  13. http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2003/12/05/hbo_infuses_angels_with_new_life/ TELEVISION REVIEW: HBO infuses `Angels' with new life Nichols, cast triumph in inspiring production
  14. Web site: "Angels in America" Soars to New Emmy Record with 11 Wins; Stritch, Parker, Nixon Also Honored . Hernandez . Ernio . September 20, 2004 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190617200049/http://www.playbill.com/article/angels-in-america-soars-to-new-emmy-record-with-11-wins-stritch-parker-nixon-also-honored-com-121990 . June 17, 2019 . January 12, 2005.
  15. Web site: In winning 11 Emmys, 'Angels' is part of history . Zurawik . David . September 20, 2004 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200529153052/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2004-09-20-0409200257-story.html . May 29, 2020 . January 12, 2005.
  16. Web site: HBO's 'John Adams' makes history . Zurawik . David . September 22, 2008 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200529111824/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2008-09-22-0809220007-story.html . May 29, 2020 . January 12, 2010.
  17. Web site: Nominees/Winners . . April 15, 2019.
  18. Web site: 2003 Award Winners . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200429152538/https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/2003/ . April 29, 2020 . January 12, 2010.
  19. Web site: Best Film or Mini-Series Made for Cable TV . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200525165848/https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-names/best-film-or-miniseries-made-for-cable-tv/ . May 25, 2020 . April 17, 2020.
  20. Web site: Movies for Grownups Awards 2004 with Bill Newcott.
  21. Web site: AFI AWARDS 2003 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200528140442/https://www.afi.com/award/afi-awards-2003/ . May 28, 2020 . April 14, 2020.
  22. Web site: 18th Annual ASC Awards — 2003 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181109024751/https://theasc.com/asc/awards/past-nominees-winners . November 9, 2018.
  23. Web site: The ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110802060537/http://www.theasc.com/asc_news/awards/awards_history.php . 2011-08-02.
  24. Web site: 2004 / 8TH WINNERS & NOMINEES . . July 27, 2018.
  25. Web site: The BFCA Critics' Choice Awards 2003 . . 10 January 2004 . 16 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110730061533/http://www.bfca.org/ccawards/2003.php . 30 July 2011.
  26. Web site: 56th DGA Awards . . July 5, 2021.
  27. Web site: Antonio Banderas, John Waters, "Bend it Like Beckham," "Angels in America," Honored at 15th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by ABSOLUT VODKA in Los Angeles . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20051119203029/http://www.glaad.org/media/release_detail.php?id=3637&PHPSESSID=85aa222bb4c8d2b8780aa36bd1e82098 . November 19, 2005 . January 12, 2007.
  28. Web site: Angels in America . Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200303092043/https://www.goldenglobes.com/tv-show/angels-america . March 3, 2020 . July 22, 2018.
  29. Web site: The 61st Golden Globe Awards (2004) Nominees and Winners . Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180529153935/https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/2004/all . May 29, 2018 . July 22, 2018.
  30. Web site: Past Winners & Nominees . . June 11, 2022.
  31. Web site: Angels in America . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200506090220/https://www.emmys.com/shows/angels-america . May 6, 2020 . July 13, 2017.
  32. Web site: 56th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190904104628/https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2004 . September 4, 2019 . July 13, 2017.
  33. Web site: Producers Guild Awards 2004 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081215034907/http://www.producersguild.org/pg/awards_a/awards2004.asp . December 15, 2008 . April 10, 2020.
  34. Web site: Nominees & Winners – Satellite™ Awards 2004 (8th Annual Satellite™ Awards) . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080202163316/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2004.shtml . February 2, 2008 . April 7, 2019.
  35. Web site: Nominees & Recipients – The 10th Screen Actors Guild Awards (2004) . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20111101205244/http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/10th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards . November 1, 2011 . July 22, 2018.
  36. Web site: 2004 TCA Awards nominees . June 3, 2004 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713054923/http://tvcritics.org/2004/06/03/2004-tca-awards-nominees/ . July 13, 2011 . June 17, 2013.
  37. Web site: 2004 TCA Awards winners . July 17, 2004 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120729030437/http://tvcritics.org/2004/07/17/2004-tca-awards-winners/ . July 29, 2012 . June 17, 2013.
  38. American Women in Radio & Television Announces 30th Annual Gracie Award® Winners . March 9, 2005 . . McLean, VA . February 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110728095457/http://thegracies.org/pdfs/2005_Gracies_Winners.pdf . July 28, 2011 . dead.
  39. Web site: 2004 Grammy Award Winners . Grammy.com . 1 May 2011.
  40. Web site: Producers Guild Awards 2005 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081215034915/http://www.producersguild.org/pg/awards_a/awards2005.asp . December 15, 2008 . April 10, 2020.
  41. Web site: Writers Guild Awards Winners: 2005-1996 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190517163111/https://awards.wga.org/awards/nominees-winners/2005-1996 . May 17, 2019 . April 10, 2012.

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