MCIn: The Human Stain

Coleman Silk (Anthony Hopkins) is a light-skinned African-American college professor who has kept his true racial identity secret for the majority of his life. His career comes to a sudden halt when he makes a comment that is misinterpreted as a racial slur. Soon after he is fired, Silk hooks up with young Faunia Farely (Nicole Kidman), a local janitor. The affair with Farely, who is almost half Silk's age, becomes small-town gossip, and attracts the attention of Farely's psychotic ex-husband, Lester (Ed Harris). As Lester seeks vengeance, still angry at his ex-wife, Silk must make some tough decisions about his affair with Farely, leading to the film's nail-biting conclusion.

Anthony Hopkins .... Coleman Silk
Nicole Kidman .... Faunia Farely
Ed Harris .... Lester Farely
Gary Sinise .... Nathan Zuckerman
Wentworth Miller .... Young Coleman Silk
Jacinda Barrett .... Steena Paulsson
Harry J. Lennix .... Mr. Silk (as Harry Lennix)
Clark Gregg .... Nelson Primus
Anna Deavere Smith .... Mrs. Silk

Written by:
Nick Meyers
Novel by Phillip Roth

The Human Stain
Directed by: Robert Benton
Release Date: October 31, 2003
Rated: R
Miramax Films

Pride, Unprejudiced: It is a small canvas. The acting is forceful, the adaptation forthright. It's not Roth's sustained, sneaky howl on screen, seeming to me more like a striking portrait of controlled rage: how do we socialize ourselves against our inner fears, longings, loathing, without letting them eat us alive inside?

Review: Benton has always excelled with actors and story but has never impressed as more than technically efficient. The Human Stain doesn't look or feel like anything on his resume. It reminded me of The Sweet Hereafter in the way that silence informs its rhythms and in the grace of its camera movement. Both films have an inevitable tragedy and both have a visual assuredness that softens the blow.

Review: Finally, there is a movie that just plain stinks, in spite of some strong performances and a director who I really respect. The film is Human Stain. And anyone who has tried to tell you that this is an Oscar movie of any kind is, with due respect, just plain wrong.