Watch Larry Kramer In Love & Anger

Larry Kramer In Love & Anger is a 2015 documentary film that tracks the life of one of the most vocal and controversial activists of the AIDS epidemic, Larry Kramer. Almost two decades after he was diagnosed with HIV, Kramer fought tirelessly for the recognition of the epidemic and the funding and research necessary to combat it. He is known for founding two organizations that became bulwarks in the fight against AIDS, GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis) and ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power).

Larry Kramer In Love & Anger is a gripping and candid portrait of a man whose fierce opposition to injustice and intolerance turned him into one of the most feared and revered figures of his time. Directed by his longtime friend and confidant, filmmaker Jean Carlomusto, the film combines archival footage with contemporary interviews with friends, family and activists, documenting the trajectory of Kramer’s life and activism.

The film explores Kramer’s early years as a writer and filmmaker, his experiences as a closeted gay man in a homophobic society, and his struggle with HIV. The AIDS epidemic, which devastated the gay community, became Kramer’s personal and political crusade. In 1981, he wrote an article in the New York Native which was one of the first pieces of writing on AIDS to appear in a national publication. At the time, the disease was being ignored by the government and by the media. Kramer’s article, titled “1,112 and Counting,” was a call to arms, an impassioned manifesto demanding that the epidemic be acknowledged as a crisis and that the government provide the funding necessary for research and treatment.

The film explores the toll that the AIDS epidemic took on Kramer personally, as well as the broader cultural impact it had on the world. Kramer was one of the first to recognize that the epidemic was not simply a medical issue but a political one. He rallied his fellow activists to take to the streets and demand change. The scenes of Kramer and his colleagues shouting down politicians and taking over government buildings are among the most powerful in the film.

Kramer’s personal life is also examined, including his relationships with friends and lovers. The film features interviews with his former partners, including David Webster, whom he met in the 1970s when both were still closeted. Kramer and Webster were together for a decade, during which time Webster contracted AIDS and eventually died from it. The film chronicles the couple’s relationship and Webster’s eventual decline, which was the impetus for Kramer’s activism.

The film is packed with footage of Kramer’s speeches and interviews, demonstrating his unflagging commitment to justice and his unwavering belief in the power of words to effect change. Ellen Barkin, who narrates the film, is marvelous in the role, skillfully weaving the story together and giving it a powerful emotional core. Other luminaries who appear in the film include Anthony Fauci, who was at the forefront of the government’s response to the epidemic, and Alan Bates, who played Kramer in the film adaptation of Kramer’s play “The Normal Heart.”

Overall, Larry Kramer In Love & Anger is a moving and insightful tribute to a remarkable man who helped shape a generation. Though the film focuses on a very specific moment and issue, its message is universal: that love and compassion can overcome even the most seemingly insurmountable obstacles. As one of Kramer’s friends observes towards the end of the film, “Larry exemplified everything we could hope to be as human beings.” The film is a fitting testament to his life and legacy.

In conclusion, Larry Kramer In Love & Anger is a touching and poignant documentary that experts a sense of admiration and respect for Kramer's life, achievements, and legacy. Through a combination of archival footage and contemporary interviews, the documentary conveys the power of Kramer's activism in the fight against AIDS and his impact on the LGBTQ+ community. A must-see for anyone interested in the history of the AIDS epidemic and the impact of courageous activism.

Larry Kramer In Love & Anger is a 2015 history movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.