The Human Stain (2003)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Robert Benton

Writers (WGA):

Philip Roth (novel)
Nicholas Meyer (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 October 2003 (France)

Genre:

Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

How far would you go to escape the past?

Plot:

When a disgraced former college professor has a romance with a mysterious younger woman haunted by her dark twisted past, he is forced to confront a shocking secret about his own life that he has kept secret for 50 years.

Plot Keywords:

Professor | Writer | Janitor | New Jersey | Waiter

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Coleman Silk
Nicole Kidman	...	Faunia Farley
Ed Harris	...	Lester Farley
Gary Sinise	...	Nathan Zuckerman
Wentworth Miller	...	Young Coleman Silk
Jacinda Barrett	...	Steena Paulsson
Harry Lennix	...	Mr. Silk
Clark Gregg	...	Nelson Primus
Anna Deavere Smith	...	Mrs. Silk
Lizan Mitchell	...	Ernestine
Kerry Washington	...	Ellie
Phyllis Newman	...	Iris Silk
Margo Martindale	...	Psychologist
Ron Canada	...	Herb Keble
Mili Avital	...	Young Iris

Also Known As:

Der menschliche Makel (Germany)
La couleur du mensonge (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA | Germany | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Malaysia:18PL | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:12 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R | Hong Kong:IIB

Filming Locations:

Canada

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

The racist white man on the train who berates the porter is played by Allison Davis, a Chicago attorney who is black.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The camera used to tape the interview is a Sony PD-150, a camera that didn't exist in 1998.

Quotes:

Faunia Farley: Action is the enemy of thought.

Movie Connections:

References "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986)

Soundtrack:

Day Dream

Brilliant!

'The Human Stain." What an odd name for a film until I found out its derivation. It simply means we leave a mark on everyone whom we encounter in our lifetime. This picture is going to make a BIG mark on you! It's a brilliant screen adaptation of Philip Roth's novel about... If you want to know about the story, please read it somewhere else because my intention behind writing this is to laud the unbelievable acting of Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman. Hopkins's outstanding performances are a "given" however even with all the accolades awarded Kidman last year, I was unconvinced. I am a now a believer. Not only is she a gorgeous creation but skilled beyond imagination and if she's not nominated for Best Actress for this movie, I'll be super surprised. From scene one to the last, a viewer is transfixed by one of the most unusual stories to ever hit the silver screen. The picture is a masterpiece and NOT to be missed.