THE HUMAN STAIN
Starring:
Sir Anthony Hopkins, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Gary Sinise, Wentworth Miller,
Jacinda Barrett and Anna Deavere Smith
Director:
Robert Benton
Running Time:
106 mins
Out to buy on DVD 23/08/04
"She is not my first love or my great love. She is my last love"
Coleman Silk
Noted Classics Professor Coleman Silk (Hopkins) has resigned from his position after been accused of racism towards two of his pupils. Ostracised from the College he championed and devastated by the sudden death of his wife, Coleman rediscovers his zest for life with a younger woman, Faunia (Kidman). The two are draw together as both of them are troubled by pasts, which dominate their lives.
The consuming issue of political correctness and the rekindling of passion between two lost souls is an interesting premise, it just a shame that the story doesn't have anything to grab you from the off.
Based on the book by Phillip Roth and set during the "Clinton/Lewinsky scandal", 'The Human Stain' is a slow, meandering movie with one big twist that is supposed to hold your attention for the latter half of the film. The problem is that the characters and situation are not compelling enough to really draw you into the story.
The cast are consummate actors on the top of their game but are shackled by a story without enough depth or development. Anthony Hopkins could play his role in his sleep, but he does get the chance to reveal a hidden vulnerable side as his character begins to open up to both Faunia and his friend Nathan. This is a side of Hopkins's that we rarely see and it shows to true diversity of this unquestionable talent. Nicole Kidman is on a roll and brings in another fine character performance. The only problem is that while her character is troubled by a terrible past, she is not very likable making you think that Coleman was only drawn to her because of her looks and the age difference.
The support is also good but due to the limits of the screenplay and the tendency to concentrate on the two leads, their development and screen time is very small. Ed Harris, the villain of the piece and reason behind Faunia's woes, is so underdeveloped that it is almost criminal. He is given so little background and motivation that it leaves you wondering why he is consumed by madness and why he shows to little remorse for his actions, both past and present. Gary Sinise does a fine job as narrator and friend to Coleman but his role is only fleeting and we are given little background information on how and why Coleman would be so inclined to meet him. Wentworth Miller fairs a lot better as the young Coleman and the character comes into his own after the big revelation. The twist itself may seem a little far-fetched but it is well documented that this actually happens.
The film is all about acting performances and nothing much else, feeling like a movie that has being made to be noticed, not by the audience but by the people who give out awards. It is extremely slow, not as sexually explicit as it makes out (it has an 18 certificate due to the use of extreme bad language not sexual content) and the characters and story are not enough to hold your attention for full duration of the movie.
This is a film that you watch for the performances of the two leads and nothing more. While the subject of political correctness and the rekindling of passion may be slightly intriguing, this takes second place to the lead actors who the filmmakers want to showcase. When it comes to the award season however, don't expect 'The Human Stain' to win any golden statuettes.
Tribute to Jean Yves Essofier & 'Behind The Scenes' featurette
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