When a disgraced former college dean has a romance with a mysterious younger woman haunted by her dark, twisted past, he is forced to confront a shocking fact about his own life that he has ... Read allWhen a disgraced former college dean has a romance with a mysterious younger woman haunted by her dark, twisted past, he is forced to confront a shocking fact about his own life that he has kept secret for fifty years.When a disgraced former college dean has a romance with a mysterious younger woman haunted by her dark, twisted past, he is forced to confront a shocking fact about his own life that he has kept secret for fifty years.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 5 nominations total
- Walter
- (as Danny Blanco)
- Young Ernestine
- (as Kristen Blevins)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
I thought this was a lovely film - Anthony Hopkins is excellent and extremely convincing in this role, as were the characters of Farley (the ex-husband) & Zuckerman. The friendship particularly between Zuckerman and Coleman was extremely warm and charming. However, whilst Nicole Kidman's acting was very good, I remained unconvinced by the character that she played. Aside from this, I found the film extremely engaging and believable.
This is a film that aims high, which makes it's imperfections stand out all that much more. While the critics have documented all that is wrong with this film, it is still a powerful story with great acting and cinematography. For me, more cinematic style would have been what this film needed to take it from being a good film to being a great film.
A strong 8/10 rating.
I've not read the book but, to me, this was a very satisfying film, with some examination of a number of issues: the costs to a black person of crossing over and becoming white -- and/or the price to anyone of becoming disconnected from their families. Although disconnection may give greater freedom in some ways, in others it forms an uncomfortable prison. Another issue might be described as a variant on, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." And yet another is that the "stain" that all of us carry also stains others with whom we come in contact. And maybe there's a dear price (and reward?) that may be paid for following heart too much rather than head?
Really solid performances by some great actors -- Hopkins, Kidman, Harris -- and the others.
Some gratuitous nudity was injected, maybe to help ticket sales?, but it was not too far-fetched from the story line.
All the backgrounds fit (I grew up in Vermont and lived in academia many years elsewhere); the landscape and the Volvos plus the professor's house had a very authentic feel.
Anthony Hopkins did a good job of playing a man riddled by angst, but his misery seemed to stem from his being in the movie, rather than from being in character. Gary Senise, an enjoyable actor, was stiff and terrified-looking. Ed Harris was typically brilliant.
The interesting part of the movie is the story of a young black man growing up in the 1940's and "passing" for white. The actors playing his family were wonderful, and the insights offered were moving and human. It is a shame that part of the story was not lifted out and made into a movie of its own. It would have been better for us all.
Did you know
- TriviaThe mole on the side of Sir Anthony Hopkins' (Coleman Silk's) head was added, due to the fact that Wentworth Miller (Young Coleman Silk) has a mole on the side of his head. Hopkins also wore green contacts to match the color of Miller's eyes.
- GoofsWhen Coleman is looking in the dictionary for the definition of the word "Spooks" he turns to nearly the beginning of the book that couldn't possibly be the letter "S"
- Quotes
Coleman Silk: Granted, she's not my first love. Granted, she's not my great love. But she is sure as hell my last love. Doesn't that count for something?
- ConnectionsFeatured in Nicole Kidman: An American Cinematheque Tribute (2003)
- SoundtracksHoneysuckle Rose
Written by Fats Waller (as Thomas "Fats" Waller) and Andy Razaf
Performed by Jess Stacy
Courtesy of Soundies Inc.
By arrangement with De Pugh Music
- How long is The Human Stain?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- La Piel Del Deseo
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $30,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $5,381,908
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,034,195
- Nov 2, 2003
- Gross worldwide
- $22,954,068
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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