The Human Stain (2003)
Coleman Silk is a worldly and admired professor who loses his job after unwittingly making a racial slur. To clear his name, Silk writes a book about the events with his friend and colleague Nathan Zuckerman, who in the process discovers a dark secret Silk has hidden his whole life. All the while, Silk engages in an affair with Faunia Farley, a younger woman whose tormented past threatens to unravel the layers of deception Silk has constructed.
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One of the fundamental themes of this movie is America's obsession with ethnic identity. It is a little unfortunate that it very effectively undercuts itself by proving, as if proof were required, that the concept is absurd. I won't explain more, since that would give away too much. The other fundamental theme is a love affair between Anthony Hopkins, a professor of classics, and Nicole Kidman, a cleaning woman, conducted in the teeth of the community's disapproval and, far more seriously, despite the presence of Ed Harris as Kidman's deranged and dangerous ex-husband. This is completely credible as a May- December romance but honestly, Nicole Kidman as a cleaning woman in rural America? Sorry to point this out, but in reality such people are as big as houses and do not look like Hollywood stars. Similarly insane Vietnam veterans, such as Harris's character, do not have perfect Hollywood teeth. They are on show in close-up after close-up and are so bright as to be distracting.
When I viewed this film the first time I thought Nicole Kidman was playing duel roles. But, in researching, I found that Jacinda Barrett was playing the role of Steena Paulson. They are both tall and Nicole looks different in every portrayal of every character she plays; which is good. Thus, I have an excuse for being confused.I fell in love with Nicole Kidman when I first saw her in 'Dead Calm.' As far as being an alluring star, I rank her up there with Brigette Bardot, Hedy Lamarr, Janet Leigh and Marilyn Monroe. The only difference is that Kidman is far and above the best actress.Anthony Hopkins was his usual 'greatness.' No more said. Back to Nicole, she looked like she did in 'Dead Calm,' filmed 20 years earlier than 'The Human Stain.' So, when doing the strip tease, it was Jacinda and not Nicole taking off her clothes. I like actresses who do nude scenes; such as Julianne Moore ('Short Cuts'), Marisa Tomei (any film) and Sandra Bullock ('Fire on the Amazon')...they are more realistic and all are great actresses.The book the film was based upon was written by Phillip Roth and, if you don't know who he is, forget writing a review. It was a fine film but completely owned by Nicole Kidman as well as Anthony Hopkins.
A chance circumstance of birth. One child might be handsome, one may be deformed. One never knows what advantages or disadvantages they will be bestowed in life. A fascinating tale of self hatred, undeserved and unnecessary. But not surprising for the time period. When we can't show who we really are, isn't that what we are doing? An unusual story, but most likely a common one. Played understated by both Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins. Ed Harris is menacing as soon as he appears on screen. Gary Sinise is as we, the audience,knowing nothing. Then gradually, it is slowly revealed like an onion. Layer after layer. Nicole Kidman obviously did her research on battered women. It all rings true.Each character struggling with what they do and do not know. What do they choose to do with that? Wentworth Miller was a brilliant choice as the young Coleman.The irony in that casting is revealed in the trivia notes, so don't read them until the film is over. I was enthralled by this film and count it among my favorites of all time.
A study in contradictions; a moving film that doesn't really work, with some of our finest actors pouring their souls into roles they aren't really right for, but touching something human and deep enough to confound the eye-rolling one is tempted to indulge. This is one of those 'failures' that is far more interesting than most successes. A film of ideas, even if some of those ideas are facile or muddled. If it doesn't really work as a treatise on race and racism in America – which on the surface seems it's grand ambition – it does succeed as a May-December romance with between two people who have lost so much that logic is trumped by need. (It's just about impossible to discuss some of the most glaring failures without giving away key plot twists, so I will be circumspect).This is one of those films it would be easy to tear apart, with key scenes and twists that simply don't work. But I didn't find I wanted to. I'd rather remember the moments of human honesty that transcended the flaws. I'll remember Anthony Hopkins dancing, first with Gary Sinese, then later with Nicole Kidman, not the heavy handed and tin-eared social commentary.