Here goes... trying to fit Tony Kushner's ANGELS IN AMERICA into 150 words:
Kushner was thrilled when Robert Altman agreed to direct a two-part film of ANGELS in 1994, as Kushner had used Altman's NASHVILLE as a guide for multi-character storytelling while writing. A prohibitive budget for what was considered a risky investment ended the project but it was snapped up by HBO for a mini-series. The new director was Mike Nichols who was a better fit as a director for the piece.
What impressed Kushner was Nicols' wish for some actors to play numerous roles, as was the norm in ANGELS theatre productions; a harder trick to pull off on film than onstage.
Although Nichols and his marvellous cast deliver, ultimately what is missing is the exhilaration of seeing it theatrically; your imagination cannot be engaged when film presents you with locations, extras and special effects.
Shelf or charity shop? Stand by for a major plot twist: I think I can let ANGELS IN AMERICA fly away. Despite Nichols' fine direction and the memorable performances of Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson and Mary Louise Parker, I would rather revel in the memory of the stage productions I have seen.
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