How to Survive a Plague

Important and informative, but poorly paced which makes it a bit boring at times.

It ended up being a very interesting narrative on how an activist movement evolves.

Incredible tale of the struggle and (partial) survival of those living through the AIDS crisis. Superb editing and a fascinating portrait of just one small part of a global epidemic.

This documentary is interesting but disappointing by the end. Telling the story of the AIDS struggle and the fight for viable treatment, a fundamental flaw with this movie is that it's a historical documentary, in that it treats its subject like history and not as an ongoing issue in other parts of the world, which does an incredible disservice to those who are still trying to fight this disease the world over. It's not history and it's dangerous to treat this subject as such.

there were some truly poignant moments in this film, and some innovative choices in terms of filmmaking. Yet for me, it failed to truly touch me at an emotional level because it lacked the personal vulnerability and emotional reality that often make documentaries stand out for me. the film did a great job showing the collective power of a movement, but without underlying humanity, there was nothing to ground your experience and the endless protests blurred into one incomprehensible blob.

very powerful documentary on the biggest and most successful patient advocacy movement of our era

Documentarians walk a tightrope. They must get the trust & access of everyone involved, while making sure the stories are revealing, rather than concealing. This picture is unique in how it accomplishes everything. The two groups frequently documented themselves, which provides for great activist footage. Additionally, the fly on the wall observations provide eye-opening takes on their internal arguments. Some of the cast are annoying, although that's balanced by seeing a young Anthony Fauci.

History as verité.

Before the opening credits even, my eyes were filled with tears and it continued, recognizing people I knew who are now gone. But beyond its personal affect on me, this lucid doc is an essential contribution to understanding the plague years of HIV and AIDS in New York. Required viewing and not just for LGBT folks.

The film does a nice job putting us inside the Act Up movement. That said, the film seems keen on showing us how Act Up and TAG were instrumental in bringing about the treatment advances in AIDS research. However, the film essentially takes the groups' word for it, leaving their harsh and angry criticism of the U.S. government with quite a bit less punch. Granted, I am generally ready to presume the worst about the government as well, but I prefer to do so when all the dots are connected.

"How to Survive a Plague presents a cast of characters who must continue fighting, for what's at stake is the very real, very imminent threat of their own deaths." - R. Kurt Osenlund

Enthralling documentary about treatment advocacy, that is sometimes a little hard to follow due to the large number of protagonists.