Movie Review: The Human Stain
Posted on 02 May 2008 by Ashleigh Holmes
I had no interest in seeing The Human Stain, but adult human relations are dictated by compromise, so I said ok when my friend wanted to watch it, and as soon as I saw Gary Sinise's name in the credits, I was glad that I acquiesced.
Sinise's part is actually quite small, but not nearly as small as Ed Harris', and he had third billing. I wasn't all that impressed with Nicole Kidman's performance, but Moulin Rouge is one of the only films of hers that I did enjoy, and that had a lot to do with the cinematography, Ewan McGregor and music and not so much to do with her.
Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as ever, but the real star for me was Wentworth Mille, of Prison Break fame. I've never watched an episode, but after seeing his performance in The Human Stain, I might just have to watch a few. He commanded the screen in every one of his scenes, and was completely believable in his role as a young Hopkins.
Hopkins plays a college professor who gets the boot after a controversial racial slur. Controversial in that it was completely misconstrued and blown out of proportion. After his dismissal, he embarks on an even more controversial affair with Kidman's character, a jaded and emotionally distant janitor. Miller, as the young Hopkins, makes his appearances during Hopkins' reminiscences with Sinise, an author whom he befriends when he tells him to write his autobiography. Through the course of the film, we learn that Hopkins' past makes the slur for which he was fired even more absurd than anyone could have dreamed.
I was unimpressed with the relationship between Hopkins and Kidman, and therefore, pretty unconcerned with what most would consider the main plotline. However, the subplot caught me by complete surprise and held my unwavering interest to the end. Without Miller's performance and an extremely pivotal scene a little over halfway through, this would have been added to the pile of forgettable films.
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