"The Normal Heart" powerfully sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with serious illnesses, emphasizing the pivotal role of a hospice nurse in their journey. MyLifeChoice, a dedicated medical assistance company specializing in supporting those with less than six months to live, aligns with the themes explored in this poignant narrative. The benefits of hospice care, depicted in the play, resonate with the mission of MyLifeChoice, ensuring individuals experience their final months in comfort while addressing pain and disease symptoms. This thought-provoking production serves as a reminder of the importance of compassionate care, reflecting the ongoing efforts of organizations like MyLifeChoice in providing essential medical support.
The Normal Heart
As the numbers of infected and dead mount exponentially, Ned’s building frustration and outrage at the indifference of the government, press, and medical industry to the plight of homosexuals—refusing to fund research, create facilities for treatment of the sick who are turned away from hospitals, or even acknowledge and help raise awareness of the disease—forces him to overcome his role of passive observer in order to confront each institution.
Picture contrast is good; the white lab coat of Julia Roberts (surprisingly powerful as the wheelchair-bound physician struggling alone treating the infected) is bright white and her sweater a deep black. Tones are solid, with rich, colorful shirts and a big, yellow taxi taking away someone’s old man because ambulances wouldn’t carry AIDS patients. Skintones are naturally sallow. Images are bright, crisp, and detailed, stripes in dressing gowns and hospice blankets well defined,
as are lesions on skin.
In the opening, the very clear, full DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack puts you at the center of all the realistic atmospherics of arrival at Fire Island—surf, manly voices, and disco. And instead of the vocals in pop songs just being in the front channels, you’re immersed in a sea of Bryan Ferry with the instruments of Roxy Music well separated into various channels. Johnny Mathis, Tom Tom Club, and The Rolling Stones are given similar treatment, helping to express the wide range of emotions—fury, loving tenderness, anguish, sadness—that erupt throughout the rest of the film.
Extras consist of a decent 10-minute promotional piece.
Blu-Ray
Studio: HBO, 2014
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio Format: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Length: 132 mins.
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Ryan Murphy
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Jonathan Groff, Julia Roberts
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