Tony Kushner's Angels in America may have worked well on the stage, and, at its most basic, it works well on television in this six-hour HBO presentation. It is most important to consider this a symbolic piece of art rather than the kind of story it portends to be as it begins. Otherwise, it can come across as too preachy and pretentious for its own good.

It's not a simple matter of interpreting the actions and reactions told in this story. Throughout the story, people do and say despicable things to each other, and those who are hurt reply with literary, political and artistic allusions that, at least to me, display an almost contemptuous attitude between the writer and the intended audience. I can't react very easily to Louis and Joe's failure to address their responsibilities or to Pryor's melodramatic breakdown in the face of his debilitating disease or to Belize's cryptic description of heaven. How can one respond? What's the point?

While I appreciate the series of events and what I interpret to be the symbolism throughout the story, I cannot give a thumbs up to overacting (especially Pacino), inflated language, and overbearing monologues. The only true high points here are the acting of the women, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson and especially Mary Louise Parker. At least Kushner had the decency to connect Harper Pitt's bloated language to emotional distress and lack of mental balance. What's everyone else's excuse here?

Hey, I loved Kushner's play and thought the miniseries was fan-fricking-tastic.

It comes out on DVD in September...and guess who's gonna be first in line to get a copy!!?

i really want to see it too !!

this has been on my DVR since it was first aired and I STILL haven't watched it...

I will some day though!