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I will keep this short, but this film is an utter delight. Glorious to look at, and an absolute valentine to Los Angeles, romance, and jazz. I promise you will be smiling throughout, marveling at its nod to musicals of the past but just how contemporary it feels. The chemistry between Stone and Gosling rings so true and heartbreaking. Both give it their all most especially Stone whose gorgeous eyes and natural presence is a marvel of screen presence. I heartily recommend this one of if not the Best Film of 2016.

It is an absolutely wonderful 2 hours at the movies for every age leaving the viewer exiting the theater on a cloud of optimism and joy.

As a piece of theater history, THE NORMAL HEART most certainly has earned its place. But in its translation to a film, it is somewhat wanting. That said, on the whole, solid performance most especially by Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer and Joe Mantello punctuated by a couple of truly powerful, heartfelt and intimate moments in confronting the disease. Just not sure Ryan Murphy was the right man for the job.

If anyone is interested in examining the crises further, may I recommend ANGELS IN America, LONGTIME COMPANION, AND THE BAND PLAYED ON and on a small independent scale the wonderful PARTING GLANCES which introduced to the world the great Steve Buscemi. All excellent in their approaches in grasping a truly horrible and frightening time in history.

And yet with a group of pals you would be hard pressed to find a better time. Absolutely nothing make sense. Physics and natural laws are ignored. Horrible CGI and cringe-worthy dialog. Outrageous continuity exceeded only by horrible color correction and clunky editing. The all together wooden acting no doubt achieved in single takes is sincere, earnest and fails on levels that should win awards.

And you can't stop watching. My friends, yelled, laughed, joked, stomped, laughed some more and had a fine time. Now how many times can you say that watching a movie? It literally becomes an interactive experience.

It is surely a classic. Not sure exactly what kind. But it is a classic.