And the Band Played On

Stunning. [9 Sept 1993, p.C1]

The film is certainly a virtuous, star-studded message movie. It's also a docudrama, with all the attendant questions about the fictionalization of facts. But it transcends that by being complicated, intelligent and vibrant. Without a trace of sentimentality, it is very moving. [8 Sept 1993, p.49]

Swift pacing energizes the movie, and Schulman writes compelling scenes for the large cast. Many actors, who have only one scene to make an impression, meet the challenge splendidly. [11 Sept 1993, p.G1]

It's an ambitious and engrossing combination of mystery story and medical drama - and a powerful reminder that docudramas can be more than true-crime sleaze. [11 Sept 1993, p.1E]

A fine film but one lacking an emotional punch commensurate with its subject. [10 Sept 1993, p.N-1]

The storytelling is too diffuse. At times, it's a medical mystery, with Matthew Modine the outspoken lead researcher manning an obstacle course of financial and bureaucratic Catch-22s. Other times, it's obvious agitprop targeting an uncaring Reagan administration and, in a devastating character assassination, self-promoting Dr. Robert Gallo (Alan Alda).[10 Sept 1993, p.1D]

Noble endeavor, bad movie...Has the unfortunate aura of something patched together by a committee, and when all is said and done, it seems less like a movie than a position paper on film.