The Normal Heart
  • Network:
  • Series Premiere Date: May 25, 2014
The Normal Heart Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Ryan Murphy's adaptation of Larry Kramer's Tony-winning play about the early days of the AIDS crisis. After seeing a friend succumb to a new disease killing gay men at the offices of Dr. Emma Brookner (Julia Roberts), Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo) seeks to organize more action to combat it, evenRyan Murphy's adaptation of Larry Kramer's Tony-winning play about the early days of the AIDS crisis. After seeing a friend succumb to a new disease killing gay men at the offices of Dr. Emma Brookner (Julia Roberts), Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo) seeks to organize more action to combat it, even as his bluntness threatens to alienate people around him including his brother Ben (Alfred Molina), his lover Felix (Matt Bomer), and Bruce Niles (Taylor Kitsch), a closeted investment banker.… Expand
  • Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    May 23, 2014
    100
    The film has poetry and vitality, too, and its greatest virtue is that it seems not to give a damn if you approve of any of its creative choices as long as you connect with it emotionally and intellectually.
  2. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    May 22, 2014
    100
    Ned and just about everyone else erupts in violent arguments, denunciations, accusations, counteraccusations, diatribes--these are searing, electrifying moments, furiously articulate and delivered with escalating passion. [2 Jun 2014, p.45]
  3. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    May 22, 2014
    91
    The Normal Heart grows in poignancy as characters we’ve come to know are affected or afflicted by AIDS.
  4. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    May 21, 2014
    90
    While a miniseries might have truly been something to behold--allowing the slow helplessness to really penetrate viewers, there’s something to be said about making a big, loud noise and getting the message out--again. In that sense, both Murphy and Kramer do the play justice (as you would expect) and have created a powerful modern history reminder for those too young to understand the all-too-recent past.
  5. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    May 22, 2014
    80
    Murphy is a fascinating dichotomy in that he works expertly with actors and actresses (even in a mess like "Eat Pray Love" and undeniably in every season of "AHS") and so the performances he draws from his inevitably-Emmy-winning cast play tug-of-war with his melodramatic leanings and, ultimately, win the fight enough to allow his film to resonate.
  6. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    May 23, 2014
    75
    Ultimately, the good in Normal Heart outweighs the bad, which isn't always the case with Murphy's work. It's an important story packed with vivid individual moments, but with this material and these actors, it feels like it could be so much more than what it is.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Brandon Nowalk
    May 22, 2014
    58
    The performances are literally shaky, from wavering accents to tremulous monologues, but the movie’s such an overwhelming weepie that they fit right in.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 4 out of 18
  1. jclemus
    May 25, 2014
    10
    Leave it ti HBO to produce the most important movie this year, The Normal Heart is brave, sweet and raw. Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, JuliaLeave it ti HBO to produce the most important movie this year, The Normal Heart is brave, sweet and raw. Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Julia Roberts and Joe Mantello shine and deliver Oscar worthy performances. Taylor Kitsch, Jim parsons and Alfred Molina are amazing and will also fight for the Emmy´s, there are great supporting cast surprises like BD Wong, Danielle Ferland and Stephen Spinella.… Expand
  2. fra92
    May 27, 2014
    10
    Great movie. Sad Heartbreaking and well acted. Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts and Matt Boomer hit the right note, and it all feels so REAL. JimGreat movie. Sad Heartbreaking and well acted. Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts and Matt Boomer hit the right note, and it all feels so REAL. Jim Parsons too had a great performance. Ryan Murphy succeeds to build a great, sad and touching story, without being too melodramatic.
    Loved it    … Expand
  4. bboughton
    May 27, 2014
    9
    I'm not sure why Roberts or Ruffalo are getting so much flack -- this movie is an adaptation of a play that is largely polemical. You shouldI'm not sure why Roberts or Ruffalo are getting so much flack -- this movie is an adaptation of a play that is largely polemical. You should expect lengthy monologues. I thought both brought a relentlessness and emotionality to their roles that the characters required. They weren't meant to be polished, Sorkin-esque banter -- they were supposed to be charged and shaky and uneven. That takes much more acting talent than the perfectly delivered speech.

    Thought the film itself was a powerful reminder of our shameful inaction and the social stigma that cost so many lives.    … Expand
  5. beingryanjude
    Sep 3, 2014
    8
    On the heels of another brilliantly moving film related to the early days of the AIDS epidemic, The Normal Heart is entirely original and justOn the heels of another brilliantly moving film related to the early days of the AIDS epidemic, The Normal Heart is entirely original and just as emotional. Mark Ruffalo reaches his career-best with help from the multi-talented Julia Roberts. Ryan Murphy is impressive and proves to us all his worth in the industry.… Expand
  6. JrAgujaIsAGleek
    May 27, 2014
    8
    Wow. I am so glad HBO made this movie.

    This political gay love story about HIV/AIDS just gave me so much feels and I never expected that,    Wow. I am so glad HBO made this movie.

    This political gay love story about HIV/AIDS just gave me so much feels and I never expected that, mainly because of the feeling of losing someone you love the most to AIDS sucks really bad.

    The performances from the cast are surely Emmy worthy. My favorite has to be when Dr. Emma Brookner (played by Julia Roberts) shouts at the mayor of New York on how she is frustrated and insulted that he won’t even give money to fund for AIDS research. I will be really surprised if she isn’t even nominated for an Emmy.

    The story was great as well. I learned many things about the AIDS epidemic in the early 80s because of this movie. But there is one plot hole I noticed. If Felix Turner (played by Matt Bomer) has AIDS and he had sex with Ned Weeks (played by Mark Ruffalo), shouldn’t he be affected by it? Did Felix had AIDS after that? These questions weren’t answered.

    But, the directing and the cinematography is great as well. I am glad Ryan Murphy directed this, because he is a great director. Just give him a big budget and he will do it flawlessly.

    Overall, this HBO movie will surely teach the young generation about AIDS, touch the viewer’s hearts and meanwhile, grabbing the Emmy spotlight.    … Expand
  7. ariel84
    May 26, 2014
    4
    i lived through this era. it is important to remind people today how awful it was. that said, this adaptation disappointed. except for jimi lived through this era. it is important to remind people today how awful it was. that said, this adaptation disappointed. except for jim parson's performance, which was graceful, touching, and true, the acting was lousy. julia roberts' de-glamorizing was distracting. and she was so wrong for the role. there was a great movie here. wish it had been.… Expand
  8. brentwshelton1
    May 26, 2014
    1
    Let's be clear, the story of the inaction of the government during the AIDS crisis needs to be told. I am a gay man and I loved this playLet's be clear, the story of the inaction of the government during the AIDS crisis needs to be told. I am a gay man and I loved this play when I saw it on stage. However, the acting in this adaption is incredibly sub-par. I couldn't take it within 10 minutes of starting to watch. The supporting characters were alright but the actor that represented Larry Kramer (the male lead) delivered each line in a horrible monotone. Everytime he spoke I rolled my eyes and mocked his delivery. Julia Roberts was just as bad. I gave it a 1 as I'm sure many were unaware of this history (I lived through it)… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Awards, TV

    2014 Emmy Awards: Full Winners List + Critic Reviews

    2014 Emmy Awards: Full Winners List + Critic Reviews Image
    Published: August 25, 2014
    Find a list of this year's Emmy winners, see how accurate expert and user predictions turned out to be, and read reviews of the broadcast (including an assessment of Seth Meyers as host).
    More »
  2. Best of 2014, TV

    Best TV Shows of the 2013-14 Season

    Best TV Shows of the 2013-14 Season Image
    Published: July 22, 2014
    Our look back at the 2013-14 television season includes all of the year's award winners as well as the season's highest-scoring programs.
    More »
  3. Awards, Best of 2014, TV

    2014 Emmy Nominations

    2014 Emmy Nominations Image
    Published: July 10, 2014
    Get a complete guide to this year's Emmy nominations, including lists of nominees in every major category and reactions from TV critics to this year's snubs.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best TV Season of 2014
82
#82 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
80
#80 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Current TV Shows

Full List »
96 America to Me: Season 1
96 The Good Place: Season 3
92 BoJack Horseman: Season 5
92 The Staircase [2018 Version]: Season 1
90 Big Mouth: Season 2
87 Better Call Saul: Season 4
86 My Brilliant Friend: Season 1
86 Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story
86 The Deuce: Season 2
85 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Season 4
85 GLOW: Season 2
84 A Very English Scandal
84 Insecure: Season 3
83 Random Acts Of Flyness: Season 1
83 Homecoming: Season 1
83 Sorry for Your Loss: Season 1
80 Narcos: Mexico: Season 1
80 The Woman in White
79 The Tony Awards
79 Escape At Dannemora
All Current TV Shows »