The Normal Heart | |
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Television release poster
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Based on |
The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer |
Screenplay by | Larry Kramer |
Directed by | Ryan Murphy |
Starring | |
Music by | Cliff Martinez |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
Production | |
Producer(s) | Scott Ferguson |
Cinematography | Danny Moder |
Editor(s) | Adam Penn |
Running time | 132 minutes |
Production company(s) | |
Distributor | HBO |
Release | |
Original release |
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Website |
The Normal Heart is a 2014 American drama television film directed by Ryan Murphy and written by Larry Kramer, based on his own 1985 play of same name. The film stars Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Alfred Molina, Joe Mantello, Jonathan Groff, and Julia Roberts.
It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 26, 2014.
The film depicts the rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks (Ruffalo), the founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. Weeks prefers public confrontations to the calmer, more private strategies favored by his associates, friends, and closeted lover Felix Turner (Bomer). Their differences of opinion lead to arguments that threaten to undermine their shared goals.
It is summer of 1981. Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo) is an openly gay writer from New York City who travels to Fire Island Pines on Long Island to celebrate the birthday of his friend Craig Donner (Jonathan Groff) at a house on the beach. Other friends in attendance include Mickey Marcus (Joe Mantello) and the charismatic Bruce Niles (Taylor Kitsch), who has recently begun dating Craig. Craig is young and appears to be in good health. While walking on the beach, however, Craig feels dizzy and collapses. Later, when blowing out the candles on his birthday cake, Craig begins to cough repeatedly.