pointer165
in any movie, no matter who the actors are, the script is very important to me , as it should be for everyone involved, especially the actors.This script, story, is so beautifully written..in the first lines"the sloping stairs " of that beautiful staircase..always takes me "home" to anytime in my life, when I felt safe, at home, wherever I was living or visiting at the time or whatever relationship I was in...it's truthful for most of the story...I just do not see a person with AIDS being accepted into the USA from the UK ..but all done for the story...and the stage version must have been just as incredible..it takes you from a beautiful summer, from several different couples, that have been invited to a a summer home in the wilderness(it seems), through several seasons and what happens at the end..allot happens in this story that spans lifetimes but done so beautifully
chris-baldock-1
Having nearly all of the original cast in this film, makes it an excellent record of the Broadway production even if the powers-that-be decided to eliminate Nathan Lane and replace him with Jason Alexander. Alexander does a credible job although you do spend the film wondering "what if.....?" I'm sure now that Lane's name is bigger than ever, the producers must be kicking themselves. I have directed a production of the play and must say that although the essence has been retained, the film loses some of the stage version's heart. Must admit though some of the performances are excellent particularly Justin Kirk and Stephen Spinella. Terrence McNally is my hero so having anything of his on celluloid is worth cherishing. Now if they'd only make a film of Master Class............
moviefan-35
I recently saw this movie again since it hit DVD. I'd seen it once at the theater and was less than impressed. It seems to have aged well. It was better than I remembered. Most of the cast is excellent, given that they should know these roles pretty well after playing them night after night on Broadway. One of the main problems is the absence of Nathan Lane. The play was written for him specifically. The role of Buzz is the center of the play. While Jason Alexander is a capable actor, he is no Nathan Lane. As it stands, this is a pretty good movie with most of the cast intact, but there is a substantial piece missing from the whole and it shows.
pyle0102
Often it is very tricky to adapt a play, especially one of a rather long length, to the screen and keep the story and characters intact. Though I have not had the pleasure of seeing a theatrical production of this film, I do own the play and have read it numerous times. Although the film did suffer a tiny bit from some things being edited out, characters speaking directly to the audience, further character insight etc., it is still a wonderful film, full of superb acting and characters that you fall in love with.The characters are brought to life with superb accuracy, due to the fact that all the actors, except Nathan Lane, reprise their roles that they held on the stage for about all of two years. And it shows that they have bonded as artists with both each other and their characters.As with almost all films there were performances that personally stood out to me. John Glover shows the audience why he won the Tony Award for his performance. Playing twin brothers, 'John the Foul and James the Fair' showing the defination of range. The other actor that really stood out was the always brilliant Justin Kirk, playing the young, blind Bobby Brahms, showing why he won the OBIE Award for his spectacular performance. The cast also includes Stephen Spinella, two time Tony award winner for Tony Kushner's masterpiece "Angels in America", Jason Alexander, and many other actors that deserve much more recognition and fame than they currently have.This is a beautiful film with precious characters that you will love.
AD
