And the Band Played On

This terribly titled HBO film attempts to cram every subplot of the AIDS epidemic from the onset of the virus to the present moment to middling success. There's some decent acting and found it very educational, but certain discoveries around the virus are laughably simplified to get a dramatic "Aha!" moment. And the constant flashbacks to Dr. Don Francis' (played by Matthew Modin) time in Africa dealing with the Ebola virus were too forced. This may have been better as a mini-series instead of an overly-long and overstuffed movie. Ultimately, I thought this was fine.

Also - Who's NOT in this movie?! It's a veritable who's-who of 90's actors.

This terribly titled HBO film attempts to cram every subplot of the AIDS epidemic from the onset of the virus to the present moment to middling success. There's some decent acting and found it very educational, but certain discoveries around the virus are laughably simplified to get a dramatic "Aha!" moment. And the constant flashbacks to Dr. Don Francis' (played by Matthew Modin) time in Africa dealing with the Ebola virus were too forced. This may have been better as a mini-series instead of an overly-long and overstuffed movie. Ultimately, I thought this was fine.

Also - Who's NOT in this movie?! It's a veritable who's-who of 90's actors.

for some reason i was a bit surprised at the homophobic overtones

for some reason i was a bit surprised at the homophobic overtones

Definitely a TV movie but I found it really interesting to think that in 1993 HBO was making anything even semi-respectful of the queer community regarding AIDS

Bonus points for a surprise Phil Collins role as gay bathhouse owner

Definitely a TV movie but I found it really interesting to think that in 1993 HBO was making anything even semi-respectful of the queer community regarding AIDS

Bonus points for a surprise Phil Collins role as gay bathhouse owner

An interesting look at all the stigma and red tape these medical professionals had to face to fight AIDS. I did not need all that Dr. Gallo drama though - it should have recentered on the queer community instead.

Stunningly, I watched this in math class because my teacher is the best. She told us about living in San Francisco during this time and reading Randy Shilts in the paper. My friends and I stayed after class to finish it with her, all the way through that beautiful ending tribute

An interesting look at all the stigma and red tape these medical professionals had to face to fight AIDS. I did not need all that Dr. Gallo drama though - it should have recentered on the queer community instead.

Stunningly, I watched this in math class because my teacher is the best. She told us about living in San Francisco during this time and reading Randy Shilts in the paper. My friends and I stayed after class to finish it with her, all the way through that beautiful ending tribute

really important subject matter, okay-ish execution. my favorite part was when Steve Martin randomly was in it for like 30 seconds then disappeared, never to be seen again. true icon behavior!

really important subject matter, okay-ish execution. my favorite part was when Steve Martin randomly was in it for like 30 seconds then disappeared, never to be seen again. true icon behavior!