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Angry, powerful, and stirring, How to Survive a Plague is a brilliantly constructed documentary about the activists who pushed for action to combat the AIDS epidemic.
All Critics (75) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (74) | Rotten (1)
This inspirational, unexpectedly hilarious film is a patchwork of archival footage that takes us up to the present day. Nov 8, 2013 | Full Review…
This inspirational, unexpectedly hilarious film is a patchwork of archival footage that takes us up to the present day.
Charlotte O'Sullivan
This documentary by David France persuasively argues that one of the greatest grassroots activist campaigns of modern times was the Act Up movement ... Nov 7, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
This documentary by David France persuasively argues that one of the greatest grassroots activist campaigns of modern times was the Act Up movement ...
Peter Bradshaw
This raw and passionate AIDS treatment doc suffers from a simple lack of focus. Nov 7, 2013 | Rating: 2/5
This raw and passionate AIDS treatment doc suffers from a simple lack of focus.
Sophie Monks Kaufman
It can't be long before we see the Hollywood version. Nov 5, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
It can't be long before we see the Hollywood version.
Cath Clarke
David France has made an absorbing film to document that moment of immense implosion, called How to Survive a Plague. Jun 17, 2013 | Full Review…
David France has made an absorbing film to document that moment of immense implosion, called How to Survive a Plague.
Stanley Kauffmann
As this stirring, scrupulous doc reveals, the members of ACT UP fused the fervor of revolutionaries, the tenacity of trial lawyers, and the rage of the dispossessed to change the very shape of the epidemic. Jan 7, 2013 | Rating: A- | Full Review…
As this stirring, scrupulous doc reveals, the members of ACT UP fused the fervor of revolutionaries, the tenacity of trial lawyers, and the rage of the dispossessed to change the very shape of the epidemic.
Owen Gleiberman
One of the most moving scenes in the film is close to the end when we see the survivors in a series of long, silent close-ups, as they are now... jowls, grey hair and aging itself becomes a triumph, as it rarely is on American movie screens. Mar 14, 2019 | Full Review…
One of the most moving scenes in the film is close to the end when we see the survivors in a series of long, silent close-ups, as they are now... jowls, grey hair and aging itself becomes a triumph, as it rarely is on American movie screens.
Ren Jender
How to Survive a Plague supplies plenty of moments that are electrifying, inspiring and often both, courtesy of such luminary leaders as Peter Staley and Larry Kramer Mar 5, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
How to Survive a Plague supplies plenty of moments that are electrifying, inspiring and often both, courtesy of such luminary leaders as Peter Staley and Larry Kramer
Peter Gutiérrez
Like the very best documentaries about political movements, How to Survive a Plague makes you feel humble and, at the same time, extraordinarily proud. Jan 8, 2018 | Full Review…
Like the very best documentaries about political movements, How to Survive a Plague makes you feel humble and, at the same time, extraordinarily proud.
Stuart Klawans
Moving docu follows AIDS scourge and history of gay activism Mar 14, 2017 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Moving docu follows AIDS scourge and history of gay activism
Barbara Shulgasser
There are personal glimpses into the home lives of activists that left many in my theater wiping their tears on their coat sleeve. May 10, 2016 | Full Review…
There are personal glimpses into the home lives of activists that left many in my theater wiping their tears on their coat sleeve.
Monica Castillo
It all adds up to not just a document of the time but a blueprint for today's activists. Feb 7, 2014 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
It all adds up to not just a document of the time but a blueprint for today's activists.
David Edwards
An extremely enlightening overview of that which was the most devastating plague that hit the world in the past century, and an essential historical document that shows how activism played the most important role during the acme of the epidemic.
Super Reviewer
An excellent documentary that effectively conveyed the desperation, fear and power of the gay community during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Really well done.
A topic that should have been more interesting to me... but it was quite hard for my interest to survive this dull documentary - and I usually like documentaries.
"How to Survive a Plague" is a sad, yet uplifting look at the coalitions ACT UP and TAG in the battle against AIDS. This documentary uses archival footage from the 80s and 90s to show the devastating effects of AIDS, and the constant struggle to get better medication to victims. Some of the footage is heartbreaking, some will enrage you, and some will show you that with enough support and enough people pushing for a cause, that anything can happen. AIDS is still prevalent in the world today, but it isn't nearly as destructive as it was, and it's because of the people showcased in this movie. It deserved it's nominated for "Best Documentary" at the Oscars, just as much so as the other 4 nominees. The movie drags a little in the middle, but I think it's because it doesn't have much of a narrative, and relies mostly on old footage to tell the story. Fascinating movie, that shines a light on taboo subject in our world. Definitely worth a watch.
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