Barbra Streisand bought the film rights to Kramer's play, "The Normal
Heart", in 1985. However, Kramer withdrew them in 1995, after Streisand had not made the film in 10 years. Streisand had planned to direct the film after
The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996), but that production was so problematic that she could not face directing again so soon. Kramer claimed Streisand preferred to do other work, instead, thereby blocking other directors from making the film. His memorable comment on Streisand's hesitance was "P*ss or get off the pot!".