Method & Madness
A friend that I consider a go-to person for monthly recommendations of arts - badgered me for months to watch Angels in America. Once a famed Broadway play by the genius of Tony Kushner, later the superlative HBO mini-series that collected all the award nominations possible; I knew of its reputation long before I found time to sit down and watch it. It’s as if I knew I need to be in a specific mind frame to receive it, and it took time getting me there.
I saw it exactly when I needed to receive its message. Isn’t it funny how art does that? A movie, a series, a book, a song, even a poem, or just a quote?
It always arrives when you need it.
Angels in America is an indescribable piece of work. The roller-coaster of love, lust, greed, shame, power, loss - a masterpiece.
The movie is filled with the most accomplished actors of today; Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Mary Louise Parker, but I bet you, you will walk away remembering Justin Kirk.
Justin plays the character of Prior Walter. It’s such a lavishly loud performance, it attacks all your senses. His impudent homoerotic performance blew me away; his talent to shift from decadence to resurrection with such ease is a testament to his craft.
If you're prudish, it's probably not something you should see, but do it anyways! It’s been dubbed as “gay fantasia on national themes”, and it’s a ground-breaking piece of work. Astonishingly well-written.
"I'm a Mormon".
"I'm a homosexual".
"In my Church, we don't believe in homosexuals".
"In my Church, we don't believe in Mormons".
I first saw Justin Kirk act about 10 years ago, in a TV show called Jack & Jill. I believe I didn't see anything else by him, since then. But as soon as I put Angels in America on, I remembered him instantly.
He's one of those actors whose face, energy, talent & vibe you don't forget. One of the most underrated actors of his generation.
Check out the Dream scene. Remarkable performance.
Where to watch Justin now? Weeds, Showtime.
