I really think Jim Parsons shone in this movie. The funeral he spoke at was my favourite scene! What do you think?
shareI couldn't agree more. That scene killed me. And really everything with Tommy touched me. He was this quiet voice of reason and compassion, toiling away, taking care of everyone. I just fell in love with him. And I thought Jim Parsons nailed it on every level.
shareI agree 100 percent!!! I wish his part was longer. His funeral speech was incredibly moving and I totally forgot I was watching ' Sheldon' and was just blown away by his amazing acting. I also loved the part were he was listening to the woman talk about her friend dying and wanting to help he barely spoke but he didn't need to, he said more in his body and facial movements, a great job!
shareI didn't know his voice and all that he uses on Big Bang was really the way he acts. I thought it was his character.
shareWell everything about the character of Sheldon is very exaggerated, including his mannerisms, but yes that's his real accent.
Aside from the moment he first spoke and sounded like Sheldon, I forgot all about Sheldon and only saw Tommy.
Was Tommy based on a real person? Are we to assume he did not get AIDS? I don't know much about the Sheldon character, but I know Jim seemed like a quite force in this film. Perfect casting.
shareYes. Thomasina has a post in the thread titled So How Come Didn't Bruce Get It? that lists some of the characters that were based on real people and who those people were.
I think sometimes it can be a gift to see a performance by someone we're completely unfamiliar with because then we have no other reference to get in the way of investing in that character without any distractions of another character. I have seen movies where people said they couldn't get past an actor's signature role and been glad if I'd never seen that one because it meant I only saw the character they were playing currently and not the one they were originally known for.
In this case, having seen every episode of The Big Bang Theory, I still had no problem setting Sheldon Cooper aside and embracing Tommy Boatwright.
Was Tommy based on a real person? Are we to assume he did not get AIDS?Yes, Tommy Boatwright was based on a real person, named Rodger McFarlane. Like Tommy, McFarlane was from the south (near Mobile, Alabama) and he was the first executive director of Gay Men's Heath Crisis. He went on to help create another AIDS charity, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. I don't know if he was HIV-positive, but even if he was, it had nothing to do with why or how he died.
I also want to thank you for these posts. I watched the movie for the cast, was in tears and Jim Parson's funeral scene was heartbreaking. The entire cast was incredible.
shareTo Thomisina( sorry if I spelled it wrong) Thank u so soo much for giving me the links to his biography/ obituary. It was incredibly moving! It's such a horrible shame that he died too soon. Just reading what he accomplished in his life and how strong a person he was made the movie and Jim Parsons role even that much more powerful! In another thread I commented on Parsons incredible acting and how I wish he had a bigger role, they could even make a whole other movie just based on his numerous achievements in his life. All the many obstacles he faced he still was courageous enough to help the cause that he believed in, even to his detriment like they all did. A very inspiring story!
I'm sorry to ramble on there.
He’s spectacular in the role. The entire second half of the film feels like a kick to the stomach, but the closing minutes, with Tommy taking the call and trying to stay composed before finally breaking down, all while S&G’s The Only Living Boy in New York starts to play—it just shatters me.
share[deleted]
Him, Roberts and Kitsch were the stand outs. Rufalo was the worst.
Jim Parson was my favorite performance too. The camera always loves Matt Bomer. I enjoyed his performance quite a lot.
shareJim Parson was my favorite performance too. The camera always loves Matt Bomer. I enjoyed his performance quite a lot.