Premiered: December 7, 2003

On: HBO

Starring: Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Patrick Wilson, Mary-Louise Parker, Emma Thompson, Justin Kirk, Jeffrey Wright, Ben Shenkman, James Cromwell, Michael Gambon & Simon Callow

Tony Kushner’s 1993 Broadway epic – which won multiple Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama – translates beautifully on the screen.

In 1985, six people’s lives intertwine during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Roy Cohn (Al Pacino) and Prior Walter (Justin Kirk) are both suffering from the disease and the people around them try to figure out how handle everything.

The combination of Kushner’s writing, Mike Nichols directing and the incredible acting talent makes this a television masterpiece. Actors Pacino, Meryl Streep, Jeffrey Wright and Mary-Louise Parker all won both Emmys and Golden Globes for their work and it’s easy to see why.

It’s an emotional journey to be taken on. While sometimes humorous, there’s a lot of pain in the storyline. However, the plot is executed carefully and with a lot of heart.

Final say: Television at its best. ★★★★★