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Affliction (1997)
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Reviews Counted:43
Fresh:37
Rotten:6
Average Rating:7.5/10
Consensus: Dark and bleak, the "kick-ass" performances, especially Nolte's "effective" portrayal of an abused soul, is the reason to see this film.
Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Based on the novel by Russell Banks, AFFLICTION is a sobering, absorbing psychological study of the precarious relationship between an abusive father and his two sons. Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte)... Based on the novel by Russell Banks, AFFLICTION is a sobering, absorbing psychological study of the precarious relationship between an abusive father and his two sons. Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte) is a middle-aged ineffectual sheriff in a small New Hampshire town, where he and his brother, Rolfe (Willem Dafoe), were raised. When events shatter the quiet of his small town, Wade is forced to confront the past and reexamine his life, attempting a reconciliation with his abusive, alcoholic dad, Glen (James Coburn), by moving back home to look after him. This quietly intense, haunting, and beautifully filmed story unfolds against the harsh snow-white backdrop of a town where everyone knows each other. But more than anything, it is the brilliant performances of its cast that mark this film. [More]
Starring: Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Sissy Spacek, Willem Dafoe
Starring: Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Sissy Spacek, Willem Dafoe, Mary Beth Hurt, Jim True
Director: Paul Schrader
Director: Paul Schrader
Producer: Linda Reisman
Composer: Michael Brook
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Reviews for Affliction
Living in a small New England town myself, I can attest to how uncannily realistic the town and the people in it appeared to be.
Such an angry and bitter motion picture that you can almost physically feel the emotional coldness that is brewing under the surface.
If you want a personal, compelling tale with a touch of intrigue, let Affliction haunt you for a couple of hours.
Affliction is one of Paul Schrader's most subtle and confident films, and damn hard to shake off.
The powerful performances by Nolte and Coburn make the film well worth a look, even if they are part of a less-than-developed whole.
Schrader has made his reputation revealing the scarred psyches of American men.... In "Affliction" he creates his most poignant and powerful work.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
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