The biggest reason one would have to watch this movie is Streep's performance, and of course its compelling story. I'm not really a fan of Streep's overestimated acting abilities but I believe it all really started for her with Kramer vs. Kramer and this ultimately put her on the spotlight, and with absolute reason. Her performance in this movie remains and will remain a worldly landmark of historical excellence in acting. She captivates you very early in the movie and it just keeps growing and growing until you are in outright awe and emotionally drained, specifically when we reach the final act and come to the realization of what her choice actually is.
To me, the highlights of the story are the flashback sequences, which I find most intriguing and I love how they were slowly build up right up to that famous climax where we see Sophie making a heart shattering decision.
I believe that Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol are severely outshone by Streep's performance; I just couldn't care enough about their characters. I disliked Nathan from the beginning, I found him to be such an annoyingly phoney man, and thoroughly despised him, perhaps that speaks well about Kline's performance. Stingo was such a weak and spineless character that didn't even connected with Sophie at a deep personal level in my opinion. Sidenote: was it really love that always made Sophie come back to the malicious and unstable Nathan? Or was it her deep and everlasting gratitude that spoke through her motivations? That was something that got stuck with me after the movie ended.
Alan J. Pakula did a fair job from the director's chair, although it is my least favourite film by him (out of the ones I've seen of course).
In conclusion, I don't really think this movie holds up to this day as a classic piece of cinema per se, but I do believe that Meryl Streep's outstanding timeless performance is worthy enough for you to make an attempt at watching this motion picture. I can definitely say you won't regret it.
To me, the highlights of the story are the flashback sequences, which I find most intriguing and I love how they were slowly build up right up to that famous climax where we see Sophie making a heart shattering decision.
I believe that Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol are severely outshone by Streep's performance; I just couldn't care enough about their characters. I disliked Nathan from the beginning, I found him to be such an annoyingly phoney man, and thoroughly despised him, perhaps that speaks well about Kline's performance. Stingo was such a weak and spineless character that didn't even connected with Sophie at a deep personal level in my opinion. Sidenote: was it really love that always made Sophie come back to the malicious and unstable Nathan? Or was it her deep and everlasting gratitude that spoke through her motivations? That was something that got stuck with me after the movie ended.
Alan J. Pakula did a fair job from the director's chair, although it is my least favourite film by him (out of the ones I've seen of course).
In conclusion, I don't really think this movie holds up to this day as a classic piece of cinema per se, but I do believe that Meryl Streep's outstanding timeless performance is worthy enough for you to make an attempt at watching this motion picture. I can definitely say you won't regret it.