Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Deeply Affected by the Deep "Affliction"....., June 2, 2003
This review refers to the May 2003 release of Lion's Gate DVD edition of "Affliction".....1998 was a year when World War II films and English period pieces took center stage. But amidst those wonderful films,there was also "Affliction". An excellent film and brillant character study that may leave you thinking about it for days afterwards. A superb piece of filmamking. Artful direction and a beautiful screenplay by Paul Schrader(who also wrote the screenplays for "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull"), skillfully filmed by Paul Sarossy, and exquiste acting by a cast that includes, Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Sissy Spacek and Willem Dafoe make for one deep and moving drama. Dafoe captivatingly narrates this story of Wade Whitehouse(Nolte). A small town cop,whose past has a grip on him and won't let go. Wade who was raised by an alcoholic and abusive father(Coburn), now seems to be losing his own grip on reality as he tries to juggle his own dysfunctional life. He is in the midst of an investigation of an "accidental" hunting accident, he is trying (unsuccessfully) to mend his relationship with his young daughter, and trying to make some sort of life with his new girlfriend(Spacek). His past and his present come crashing down around him, as he examines his life and the bad memories are flooding back to him. Wade must try to break this cycle or live his life burdened with the chains of the past. Nolte turns in what may be the performance of his career and was honored by the Nat'l Society of Film Crtics, and The New York Film Critic's Circle Awards for Best Actor in his role. Coburn is also superb and recieved an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the abusive father. I highly recommend this film to anyone who appreciates fine filmaking and an excellent drama. This Lion's Gate DVD is an excellent transfer. The picture is sharp and clear and the colors vibrant. The sound is in Dolby Digital Stereo and is great for this film of almost all dialouge. There are no bonus features, but it has subtitles in both English and Spanish and if you click on to the Lion's Gate logo in the main menu you will find some trailers as well. A not to be missed film for lovers of great cinema. Thanks and enjoy...Laurie
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
A Haunting Film, January 3, 2004
By A Customer
I saw this movie several years ago and it has stayed with me ever since. Whenever I think about the truly great films I've seen, and would like to see again, this one always makes the list as great, but I have avoided watching it again because, depending upon your childhood, it is extremely disturbing. Beware anyone who has experienced life with an abusive parent, you will see the fear and despair come to life before your eyes. James Coburn and Nick Nolte portray this type of hellish relationship with stunning realism. I have read reviews from those who, apparently, couldn't really believe that parents and children could have such a relationship. Not so, friends. This is a scathing, searing, film -- with no bullets or exploding cars. You have been warned.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
A bleak town and a dark legacy, August 14, 2000
Based on a novel by Russell Banks who also wrote "The Sweet Hereafter", and directed by Paul Schrader of "Raging Bull" and "The Mosquito Coast" fame, the winter landscape and cold bleakness of the town sets the tone for this exploration of the dark legacy of what it is to be a man.Nick Nolte stars in this dark story of a the lone policeman in a small New Hampshire town investigating a hunting accident. He is divorced and trying and to get custody of his young daughter who rejects his fumbling efforts to be nice to her. James Coburn is excellent as Nick Nolte's father, a brutal and angry old man who typifies a sick machismo which has in turn afflicted his son. His acting is extraordinary as is Nolte's although their styles are different. Noltle is subtle; his facial expressions are controlled and typical of a man who has learned to hold in emotion. Coburn's face, on the other hand, is more deeply expressive; his eyebrows move, his mouth hardens, his eyes glare. This is the kind of dark, brooding movie that I like. For a brief few hours I enter its world and get completely absorbed in the characters in the way I did with "A thousand Acres" or "The Horse Whisperers". Like these films, there are no easy answers and the conclusion does not wrap up in a neat little Hollywood package that is soon forgotten. Recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A noir with a touch of Bergman!
Paul Shrader is one the few filmmakers who never has bent his convictions about propelling his independent entries, permeated of dark and bleak memories.
Published 2 months ago by Hiram Gomez Pardo
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Ready to Implode
Nick Nolte is excellent as a man who is seriously about to implode. Watching him in this role is like waiting to hear thunder after the lightning strikes.
Published 8 months ago by J-Train
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One of the best movie's you'll see
I have no idea why there are negative reviews of this movie here. Maybe some people can't handle the dark nature of the movie.
Published 9 months ago by EugeSchu
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Haunting...
I watched this movie late at night on the IFC a few years ago, and it haunts me still. The abuse of a child lingers on, and it's so evident in this movie.
Published 16 months ago by tawniemarie
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Stellar acting makes for compelling viewing
I never watched Affliction until a few days ago, and was pleasantly surprised. The story centers around Nick Nolte, who plays a small town cop going through a rough patch, with a...
Published 17 months ago by z hayes
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Tour De Force, a bit chaotic
Excellent idea, nolte, coburn, and spacek carry this movie through a somewhat chaotic script. Different, deep and thought provoking, unlike most mindless dribble comeing out of...
Published on May 30, 2006 by Jonathan S. Friedman
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Disturbing
I saw this outstanding yet very disturbing movie shortly after it came out. It staid with me and, as I had a chance to see it again tonight, it still makes a very strong...
Published on May 26, 2005 by Randy Keehn
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Disturbing, disturbing, disturbing, but top-notch acting
If I were pressed to describe Affliction in one word, I think that word would be "difficult." Now, don't get me wrong, the film is a compelling, well-made portrait of man's...
Published on March 7, 2005 by Christopher Moyer
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Will love forever as a classic
I loved this movie, and still watch it from time to time. It's a brilliant character study. I'm from New Hampshire, and there are many Wade Whitehouses running around there...
Published on January 22, 2005 by Jerry Graff
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It's a classic
This is a truly great movie. What is going to make people either love or hate it is that it is unflinchingly real. This one EXUDES realism.
Published on December 19, 2004 by Ican Spell
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