Love in the Time of Loss

The Normal Heart is a story of love and loss, helmed by the AIDS crisis in Reagan’s America. Written for the stage by LGBT rights activist Larry Kramer in 1985, the movie steers away from being a political statement and focuses more on the emotional toil of losing a loved one, in the face of utter negligence. While the theme of the movie is battling the apathy towards gay men, it manages normalize the relationships – just like any other heterosexual relationship. Following the trail of movies like Philadelphia (1993), Broke back Mountain (2005) and The Kids are Alright (2010), The Normal Heart is lucky to have a space that is a lot more accepting of love falls outside the framework of hetero-normative relationships.

Set against the gloomy backdrop of New York, gay clubs and spas, beach parties on Long Island and a flurry of nudity is used to underscore the poly amorous nature of the community. But cutting through this veil, emerge the relationships that are solid and monogamous. Partners who’ve been together for over 10 years, and now are watching the other slow dissolve, succumbing to wounds inflicted by AIDS.

The protagonist Ned Weeks, is brought to life an earnest Mark Ruffalo – riled and angry, his portrayal of a wounded lover and a humourless activist is keen. His monologues are heartening and important, but sometimes run the risk of sounding a tad bit preachy. But the ache of losing a partner and the humiliation of being denied a voice is channeled beautifully through his pained expressions and glances.

The ethereal Julia Roberts makes an appearance as the wheelchair stricken doctor, Emma Brookner, whose righteous anger assuages some of Ned Week’s desperation. But the show stealer is Matt Bomer, in garb of an emaciated Felix Turner, Ned’s lover and closeted homosexual, working for the New York Times. While his chiseled looks give away to the ruins of consumption, his craft shines through the darkness and his portrayal of a broken yet hopeful man, is an Emmy winning performance.

The Normal Heart is a step towards normalizing love stories that aren’t conventional and an ode to everyone who loved and lost, in the calamity of this disease.